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Journal article
Feasibility and value of salivary cortisol sampling to reflect distress in head and neck cancer patients undergoing chemoradiation: A proof-of-concept study
International journal of oncology research, Vol.5(2)
01/2022
PMID: 36408337
Abstract
Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing chemo/radiation (C/RT) commonly experience severe and persistent distress associated with treatment related fear and physical side effects such as xerostomia, dysphagia, and dryness of mouth. Cortisol, a stress sensitive hormone, can be easily measured in saliva to reflect biobehavioral responses to such stressors. Unfortunately, it has not been used in this population due to concerns associated with C/RT related xerostomia.
Methods: In a proof-of-concept study, we explored the feasibility of collecting salivary cortisol as a marker of fear and distress in HNC patients. Ten HNC subjects undergoing C/RT provided saliva samples for 3 consecutive days across three timepoints (pre-treatment, 3-weeks and 1-month post-treatment) and completed concurrent depression, anxiety and swallowing related fear measures.
Results: Salivary cortisol collection adherence was between 60-80%. It was not impacted by xerostomia. Diurnal cortisol pattern's demonstrated dysregulation at pretreatment in 62%, and flattened aberrant slopes continued at 3-weeks and beyond in 50% of subjects.
Conclusions: Our study supports the feasibility and utility of salivary cortisol measurement in HNC patients across the treatment trajectory. Diurnal cortisol measures may be a valuable tool to detect and monitor treatment distress during C/RT in this population.
Details
- Title
- Feasibility and value of salivary cortisol sampling to reflect distress in head and neck cancer patients undergoing chemoradiation
- Publication Details
- International journal of oncology research, Vol.5(2)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publisher
- ClinMed International Library
- Format
- link
- Copyright
- © 2022 Chhabria K, et al.
- Identifiers
- 99380466996706600
- Academic Unit
- Usha Kundu, MD College of Health; Public Health
- Language
- English