Prevalence and Risk Factors of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Newly Diagnosed Head-and-Neck Cancer Patients.

Background: Head-and-neck cancer (HNC) can cause oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD). Early identification of OD in newly diagnosed HNC patients is important to better prepare patients for their cancer treatment trajectory. The aim of this study is (1) to assess the prevalence of OD in HNC patients within three weeks before the start of cancer treatment and (2) to investigate which demographic and oncological characteristics may be risk factors associated with the risk of OD at baseline.

Multi-Domain Screening: Identification of Patient's Risk Profile Prior to Head-and-Neck Cancer Treatment.

Background: Head-and-neck cancer (HNC) can give rise to oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD), malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty. Early identification of these phenomena in newly diagnosed HNC patients is important to reduce the risk of complications and to improve treatment outcomes. The aim of this study was (1) to determine the prevalence of the risk of OD, malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty; and (2) to investigate the relation between these phenomena and patients' age, performance status, and cancer group staging.

[Effectiveness of a Multidimensional Psychotherapeutic Treatment for Kindergardeners and Preschoolers with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder].

Despite the increased vulnerability of very young children when confronted with traumatic experiences, and also the massive impact on their development, this topic has been much neglected in German health care research so far; in fact trauma-related treatments are particularly low. Due to this, we are exploring in this pilot study the evaluation of a standard health care system in the community ("Trauma first") for very young children suffering from the impact of traumatic experiences. Our analysis looks at the effectiveness of a cognitivebehavioural treatment for the age group 2-6 suffering from trauma disorders.

Intra and interobserver agreement of the Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity Scale (DIGEST) in fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES): the importance of observer-tailored training.

Purpose: The Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity (DIGEST) is a scale to quantify the severity of pharyngeal dysphagia in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. This study (1) described the training process of the observers for DIGEST in fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), (2) determined observer agreement on the DIGEST in FEES, (3) explored the effect of bolus consistency on observer agreement, and 4) explored criterion validity of the DIGEST in FEES.

Methods: Twenty-seven dysphagic HNC patients were enrolled.

Oropharyngeal dysphagia and cachexia: Intertwined in head and neck cancer.

Background: This study aims to investigate the relationship between cancer cachexia and oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) prior to chemoradiotherapy or bioradiotherapy (CRT/BRT).

Methods: A prospective cohort study with patients with HNC undergoing CRT/BRT (2018-2021) was conducted. Body composition and skeletal muscle function were evaluated using bioelectrical impedance analysis, handgrip strength, and the short physical performance battery (SPPB).