Unmet supportive care needs in patients treated with total laryngectomy and its associated factors.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to investigate unmet supportive care needs in patients treated with total laryngectomy and its associated factors.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 283 patients who underwent total laryngectomy completed questions on supportive care needs (Supportive Care Needs Survey [SCNS]). Median time since total laryngectomy surgery was 7 years (range 0-37 years). The prevalence of unmet supportive care needs and its associated factors were investigated using logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Unmet supportive care needs were highest for the head and neck cancer-specific functioning domain (53%), followed by the psychological (39%), physical and daily living (37%), health system, information, and patient support (35%), sexuality (23%), and lifestyle (5%) domains. Seventy-one percent reported at least one low, moderate, or high unmet need. Female sex, living alone, and having a voice prosthesis were positively associated with unmet needs on 1 domain (P < .05). A worse health-related quality of life was associated with unmet needs on all domains.

CONCLUSION

The majority of patients who underwent total laryngectomy report at least one low, moderate, or high unmet supportive care need.