PD861 - CORRELATION BETWEEN DYSGEUSIA SEVERITY AND CALORIC INTAKE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING CHEMORADIOTHERAPY FOR NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA

PD861

CORRELATION BETWEEN DYSGEUSIA SEVERITY AND CALORIC INTAKE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING CHEMORADIOTHERAPY FOR NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA

O. Alaoui Hichami¹, Y. Rakii ¹, I. el moumni¹, S. Taimi¹, K. Nouni¹, A. Lachgar¹, T. kebdani¹, H. El kacemi¹, K. Hassouni¹, N. Benider^2,*

¹Radiotherapy, National institut of oncology , ²National Institute of oncology, Rabat, Morocco

Rationale: Dysgeusia is a frequent toxicity during chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and may impair nutritional intake.This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between dysgeusia severity and caloric intake.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study over 12 months including 100 patients treated with CCRT for NPC. Dysgeusia was graded according to Common Terminology Criteriafor Adverse Events(CTCAE v5.0). Caloric intake was estimated using dietary assessment and compared to energy requirements. Patients were classified into dysgeusia < grade 2 and ≥ grade 2. Nutritional status was assessed by weight loss and Body Mass Index (BMI).

Results: Dysgeusia ≥ grade 2 was observed in 64% of patients, including 22% with grade 3. Patients with moderate to severe dysgeusia had significantly lower caloric intake compared to those with mild or no dysgeusia (mean intake: 1350 kcal/day vs 1850 kcal/day, p < 0.001).

A significant negative correlation was found between dysgeusia severity and caloric intake ( p < 0.001). Patients with dysgeusia ≥ grade 2 experienced greater weight loss (8.7% vs 3.9%, p = 0.002), and severe weight loss (≥10%) occurred in 34% versus 11%.

Nutritional support was required in 52% of patients with dysgeusia ≥ grade 2 compared to 18% in the other group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Dysgeusia is significantly associated with reduced caloric intake and nutritional deterioration during CCRT for NPC .Early identification and nutritional intervention are essential to prevent malnutrition and improve treatment tolerance.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared