Longitudinal study on the correlation between taste alteration and quality of life among nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients undergoing radiotherapy / 中国实用护理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To study the prevalence of taste alteration and the changes of life quality with nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients during radiotherapy period, then analyze the correlation between them.@*Methods@#Sixty patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from October 2018 to February 2019 were interviewed during radiotherapy period, Chemotherapy-induced Taste Alteration Scale and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-quality of life head and neck module were used at four times points, which were the beginning of radiotherapy,10 F and 20 F after radiotherapy, and the end of radiotherapy.@*Results@#The score of taste alteration at the beginning of radiotherapy,10 F and 20 F after radiotherapy, and the end of radiotherapy were 22.02 ± 0.60, 45.85 ± 2.27, 55.75 ± 2.21, 63.7 ± 2.13, the life quality score at the beginning of radiotherapy,10 F and 20 F after radiotherapy, and the end of radiotherapy were 7.59 ± 0.84, 25.68 ± 2.00, 35.86 ± 2.43, 44.84 ± 2.73, both were significantly different(F=131.43, 116.85, all P<0.01). Spearman correlation analysis showed that there were positive correlation between taste alteration and quality of life(r=0.244-0.674, all P<0.05 or 0.01).@*Conclusions@#The main finding of this study is that taste impairment in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patient was increased as the radiotherapy continues, and the correlation between quality life and taste alteration was significantly enhanced, which should be afforded greater attention from medical staff.