European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: The present study aimed to assess the frequency of components of Scored Patient-
Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) in locally advanced head and neck carcinoma
patients (LAHNC) treated with concomitant chemo-radiation. Materials & methods: The present study
was conducted on 60 previously untreated, histopathologically proven patients of locally advanced head
and neck carcinoma who received conventional radical external beam radiation therapy (66Gy / 33
fractions over 6.3 weeks / 2 Gy per fraction) concomitant with Inj. Cisplatin 75mg/m2, 3 weekly. The
frequency of components of the Scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) was
assessed at the time of presentation, at the end of treatment and three months after completion of
treatment. Results: The percentage of patients complaining of loss of appetite at the end of CCRT are
significantly (p =0.01) higher than the percentage of patients having loss of appetite before CCRT. A
decrease in throat pain at the 3rd month of follow up is significant (p = 0.008). At the end of CCRT,
significantly (p ≤ 0.001) higher patients were taking less than usual food and this food intake increased
(P≤ 0.001) in the 3rd month after completing CCRT. The number of patients with normal activities
significantly (P ≤ 0.001) decreases at the end of CCRT and then increases significantly (p = 0.028) at 3rd
month of follow up. At the end of CCRT, the percentage of patients with fairly normal activities
decreased significantly (p = 0.016). There is a significant (p =0.017) increase of patients with a moderate
deficit and there is also a significant (p=0.001) decrease of patients without deficit at the end of CCRT.
Loss of body weight ≥ 5% at the end of CCRT is significant (p = 0.001) then this ≥ 5% weight loss
significantly decreases at the 3rd month of follow up. The gain in weight at the 3rd month of follow up is
significant ( p =0.0004). Conclusion: The outcomes of this study provide a unique patient viewpoint of
using the PG-SGA valuable input for the use of assessing nutrition in the patients receiving concomitant
chemoradiation.