Clinical Observation of Yinlian Gargle in the Prevention and Treatment of Acute Radiation-Induced Oropharyngeal Mucositis After Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Radiotherapy / 中药新药与临床药理

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Yinlian Gargle in the treatment of acute radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis after nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy.Methods Thirty-two patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma,who had received first radiation,were randomly split into two groupsthe trial group(19 cases)and the control group(13 cases).After all groups were treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy,the control group was given rinse treatment with saline whereas the trial group was given Yinlian Gargle.The incidence of severe acute radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis,the duration and intensity of oropharyngeal discomfort and pain(NRS score),quality of life(QOL-NPC score),duration and intensity of radiation-induced side effects(SE-QOL-NPC score)and symptoms of dry mouth(SE1 score)were monitored before and after intervention in two groups.Results The incidence of grade Ⅲ or above radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis until the sixth week of radiotherapy in the trial group was considerably lower than that in the control group(P＜0.001),while the incidence of grade I or above radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis at 1 month after radiotherapy in the trial group was obviously lower than that in the control group(P＜0.001).The NRS score of pharyngeal discomfort of the trial group was lower than that of the control group starting from the second week of radiotherapy(P＜0.05).The NRS score of oral and oropharyngeal pain was lower than that of the control group starting from the fourth week of radiotherapy(P＜0.05).The SE1 score of the trial group was higher than that of the control group starting from the fifth week of radiotherapy(P＜0.05).After one month of the completion of the radiotherapy,the NRS score of pharyngeal discomfort and the NRS score of oral and oropharyngeal pain in the trial group were lower than those of the control group(P＜0.001).The QOL-NPC score,SE-QOL-NPC score,and SE1 score were all higher than those in the control group(P = 0.05 or P＜0.05).Conclusion Patients with nasopharyngeal cancer can greatly reduce their risk of developing severe acute radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis,effectively delay and relieve related symptoms,and enhance quality of life by consistently using Yinlian Gargle during radiotherapy.Additionally,a month after the completion of radiotherapy,it still has positive therapeutic effects on acute radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis.