Evidence map›Paper›PMID 26542529›Full record

ArticleThe Laryngoscope2016

What is a clinically relevant difference in MDADI scores between groups of head and neck cancer patients?

Katherine A Hutcheson, Martha P Barrow, Asher Lisec, Denise A Barringer, Kacie Gries, Jan S Lewin

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in The Laryngoscope, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 80 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
80citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

80 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in head and neck cancer patients with radiation induced dysphagia-a systematic review.Clinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico · 2024
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  4. A randomized controlled study evaluating the head-lift exercise in head and neck cancer patients with radiation-induced dysphagia: effect on swallowing function and health-related quality of life over 12 months.European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · 2023
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  15. Volunteers with and without a history of head and neck cancer swallowing, saliva, and QOL in head/neck cancer.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025
    Observational
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20 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Katherine A HutchesonDepartment of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
Martha P BarrowDepartment of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
Asher LisecDepartment of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
Denise A BarringerDepartment of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
Kacie GriesDepartment of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
Jan S LewinDepartment of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.

Funding

Tumor Evolution and Metastasis ProgramP30CA016672 · NCI · UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR · PI Fabien Delerue · 1985 to 2026
$290.8M
Lingual Strength & Dysphagia after Oropharynx Cancer: Proton vs. Photon RadiationR03CA188162 · NCI · UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR · PI HUTCHESON, KATHERINE ARNOLD · 2015 to 2016
$160k
NCI NIH HHS P30 CA016672NCI NIH HHS R03 CA188162
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objective/hypothesisTo describe clinically relevant between-group differences in MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) scores among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. STUDY

designRetrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in 1,136 HNC patients seen for modified barium swallow (MBS) studies.

methodsThe MDADI was administered by written questionnaire at the MBS appointment. MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory global, composite, and subscale scores were calculated. Anchor-based methods were employed to determine clinically meaningful between-group differences by feeding tube status, aspiration status (per MBS study), and diet level.

resultsMean MDADI scores for the 1,136 patients were: emotional 65.8 ± 17.3, functional 68.1 ± 19.6, physical 60.1 ± 18.6, global 59.3 ± 28.3, and composite 64.0 ± 17.1. Three hundred seventy-eight patients (33%) were feeding tube-dependent; 395 (34.8%) were aspirators; 122 (11%) were nothing per oral (Performance Status Scale-Head and Neck [PSS-HN] diet = 0); and 249 (22%) ate unrestricted, regular diets (PSS-HN diet = 100). Statistically significant (P < 0.0001) between-group differences (feeding tube vs. no feeding tube, aspirator vs. nonaspirator, oral vs. nonoral diet, PSS-HN diet levels) were observed for all mean MDADI scores (global, composite, and subscales). A mean difference of 10 points in composite MDADI scores differentiated feeding tube-dependent from nontube-dependent patients, aspirators from nonaspirators, and distinct PSS-HN diet levels.

conclusionsWe identify that a 10-point between-group difference in composite MDADI scores was associated with clinically meaningful between-group differences in swallowing function. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 126:1108-1113, 2016.

Indexed as

Minimal Clinically Important DifferenceSeverity of Illness IndexAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overCross-Sectional StudiesDeglutitionDeglutition DisordersEsophagusFemaleHead and Neck NeoplasmsHumansIntubationMaleMiddle AgedDysphagiahead and neck cancerMD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI)

Identifiers

PMID26542529
PMCPMC4842113

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceTDM
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.