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Prevalence of Dysphagia among Patients of Head and Neck Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study

Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objective: To determine the prevalence of dysphagia among patients with head and neck cancer and identify associated demographic and clinical factors. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) at Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan from June 2024 to September 2025. Adults' patients aged 18 to 80 years with histopathologically confirmed head and neck cancer, including both newly diagnosed patients and those already receiving curative or palliative treatment in the ENT or oncology departments were included. Dysphagia was defined as self-reported difficulty in swallowing solids or liquids, confirmed through physician assessment based on clinical history and examination. The presence of dysphagia along with sociodemographic characteristics and clinical characteristics was assessed. Results: Of total 95 patients, the mean age was 62.57 ±12.31 years. Dysphagia was observed in 39 (41.1%) patients. Of these 39 patients, 6 (15.4%) patients reported dysphagia at presentation, 23 (59.0%) during treatment, and 10 (25.6%) reported onset after treatment. Multivariable analysis revealed that increasing age was associated with a increased of dysphagia (aOR 1.06; p-value = 0.010). In contrast, urban residence (aOR 0.25; p-value = 0.021), non-oral/pharyngeal tumor site (aOR 0.12; p-value = 0.002), early-stage disease (stage I–II) (aOR 0.07; p-value = 0.003), and single-modality treatment (aOR 0.14; p-value = 0.007) were associated with a lower risk of dysphagia. Conclusion: Dysphagia affects approximately two out of five patients. Increasing age, rural residence, oral/pharyngeal tumor location, advanced disease stage, and combined treatment modality were significantly associated with an increased risk of dysphagia.
Institution: Pakistan Army
Language: English
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7134525080
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