PD682 - TRISMUS AS A MARKER OF NUTRITIONAL VULNERABILITY IN NASOPHARYNGEAL CANCER SURVIVORS

PD682

TRISMUS AS A MARKER OF NUTRITIONAL VULNERABILITY IN NASOPHARYNGEAL CANCER SURVIVORS

Z. skalli^1,*, F. Rhouat¹, S. Harbaj¹, K. Nouni¹, L. Amine¹, H. Elkacemi¹, T. Kebdani¹, K. Hassouni¹

¹National Oncology Institut , Rabat, Morocco

Rationale: Trismus is a frequent but often underrecognized late sequela in nasopharyngeal cancer survivors that may impair oral intake and contribute to nutritional vulnerability.

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of trismus and explore its association with nutrition-related oral functional impairment.

Methods: A total of 128 nasopharyngeal cancer survivors were evaluated at least 6 months after completion of radiotherapy.

Trismus was assessed clinically using finger-width mouth opening and classified as mild (3-finger opening), moderate (2-finger opening), or severe (1-finger opening). Associations between trismus and oral functional variables were analyzed using chi-square tests.

Results: The cohort had a mean age of 50.0 ± 16.6 years (range: 18–84) with a male-to-female ratio: 1.2. Most patients had locally advanced disease, with 58% classified as stage IVA and 25% as stage III.

Trismus was observed in 41% of patients. Among affected patients, trismus was severe in 19%, moderate in 54%, and mild in 27%.

Feeding difficulties were reported by 92.3% of patients with trismus, compared with 5.3% of those without trismus (p<0.001). Poor oral/dental condition was observed in 57.7% versus 2.6%, respectively (p<0.001).

These findings support the impact of trismus on oral function and nutrition-related daily burden.

Conclusion: Restricted mouth opening was strongly associated with oral functional impairment and potential nutritional consequences, emphasizing the need for early prevention and management of trismus in survivorship.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared