Influence of social factors on patient-reported late symptoms: Report from a controlled trial among long-term head and neck cancer survivors in Denmark

Background The incidence of head and neck cancer and morbidity and mortality after treatment are associated with social factors. Whether social factors also play a role in the prevalence of late-onset symptoms after treatment for head and neck cancer is not clear. Methods Three hundred sixty-nine survivors completed questionnaires on late symptoms and functioning. Results Survivors with short education were more likely to report severe problems than those with medium or long education. In the fully adjusted model, the risk for problems with opening the mouth remained significantly increased (odds ratio [OR] = 3.20; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18-8.63). For survivors who lived alone, the adjusted ORs were significantly increased for physical functioning (2.17; 95% CI = 1.01-4.68) and trouble with social eating (OR = 2.26; 95% CI = 1.14-4.47). Conclusion Self-reported severe late symptoms were more prevalent in survivors with short education and in those living alone, suggesting differences in perception of late symptoms between social groups.