Effect of bimaxillary complete dentures on swallowing in individuals with a history of head and neck cancer: cross-sectional study

Subjects with a history of head and neck cancer may have dysphagia after treatment, causing physical, psychosocial and emotional impairment. Therefore, the objective of this observational study was to evaluate swallowing in subjects with and without a history of head and neck cancer through electromyographic amplitude, salivary flow and quality of life. Thirty subjects were analyzed, with bimaxillary complete dentures for at least 6 months, with (test group; n=15) and without (control group; n=15) history of head and neck cancer, treated at the Oral Oncology Center of the School of Dentistry of Araçatuba (COB/FOA-UNESP). The electromyographic amplitude of the masseter, temporal and suprahyoid muscles was evaluated during mandibular rest and in the nectar, liquid, pudding and solid swallowing protocols, using a surface electromyograph. Salivary flow was quantified by collecting unstimulated saliva from subjects with complete dentures in position. Dysphagia screening and its effects on quality of life were evaluated using the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI). The data obtained were submitted to tests of adherence to the normal curve (Shapiro-Wilk) and, subsequently, the appropriate statistical test was applied (T-Student or Mann-Whitney). No statistically significant differences were found between the test and control groups in the electromyographic analysis of the temporal, masseter and suprahyoid muscles in the conditions of rest (p = 0.468 / 0.663 / 0.619) and nectar swallowing (p = 0.240 / 0.830 / 0.870) , liquid (p = 0.101 / 0.760 / 0.838), pudding (p = 0.056 / 0.902 / 0.967) and solid (p = 0.494 / 0.805 / 0.116). Regarding salivary flow, there was also no statistically significant difference between groups (p=0.438). Cancer patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer had a great impact on their quality of life, especially for the emotional domain of the applied questionnaire (p<0.001). The evaluation of swallowing through the analysis of the electromyographic amplitude of the masseter, temporal and suprahyoid muscles and salivary flow, however, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups of oncology and non-oncology patients. However, cancer patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer had a great impact on their quality of life, especially for the emotional domain of the applied questionnaire.