鼻咽癌放疗后口干燥症的临床分析

目的本研究旨在探讨鼻咽癌放疗后口干燥症的严重程度及其对日常生活的影响。方法136例复查的鼻咽癌患者,复查时进行面对面访谈式的口干问卷调查,根据口干问卷调查的结果分析口干燥症的严重程度及其对生存质量的影响。结果本组136例患者均有不同程度的口干燥症,73.5%的患者有中度至重度的口干燥症,82.4%的患者因口干经常要喝水来帮助讲话;92.6%的患者因口干经常要喝汤水来帮助吞咽;91.2%的患者饮食习惯有明显改变,只能吃半流食物;61.3%的患者在夜间因口干而醒来需喝水;75.0%的患者诉放疗后牙齿有不同程度病变。结论鼻咽癌放疗后口干燥症对患者的讲话、吞咽、睡眠有严重影响,其牙齿的患病率增加。

Clinical Analysis of Xerostomia in Patients with NasopharyngealCarcinoma after Radiation Therapy

Objective: To investigate the severity of xerostomia and its impact on the quality of life in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after conventional radiation therapy. Methods: One hundred and thirty-six patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, treated by conventional radiation therapy in Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, were surveyed by interview at the outpatient department. A questionnaire and a visual analog scale (VAS) were used to analyze xerostomia and xerostomia-related problems. Results: Of 136 patints, 73.5% experienced a moderate to severe degree of xerostomia; 82.4% had to sip water to facilitate speech; 92.6% had to sip water to facilitate chewing and swallowing; 91.2% changed their feeding pattern (eating only mashed food); 61.3% had to wake up to drink water because of dry mouth; 75.0% had dental lesions to varying degrees. Conclusion: 73.5% of the patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after conventional radiation therapy experienced a moderate to severe degree of xerostomia. Xerostomia has a significant impact on the patient's speech, deglutition, and sleep, and can increase the morbidity of the dental diseases.