Dysbiosis questionnaire as a tool for an in-depth medical interview in the field of intestinal microbiota disorders in head and neck cancer patients

Abstract Introduction In-depth information on intestinal disorders and their contributing factors is rarely collected in the routine medical history of patients with head and neck diseases, in this number in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Intestinal dysbiosis (ID) is an important problem for patients starting HNSCC treatment, but there is no tool for a quick and unambiguous diagnosis and confirmation with objective tests. The aim is to design the tool for an in-depth medical interview in the field of intestinal microbiota disorders, namely the Dysbiosis Questionnaire. Materials and Methods A prospective study comparing 188 consecutive HNC patients and an age-matched group of 76 healthy individuals as to the frequency of intestinal ailments. The questionnaire was assessed for the frequency of individual responses and the variables with the highest degree of correlation with intestinal ailments were selected. Results While some lifestyle and medical factors, such as antibiotic use and physical activity, differ significantly among individuals with dysbiosis between HNC patients and the control group, other variables, including birth history, chronic diseases, and dietary habits, do not show statistically significant differences. Conclusions A mosaic of factors turns out to have an impact on the link with dysbiosis in HNC patients. The proposed Dysbiosis Questionnaire identifies these factors accurately and may be helpful in a quick selection of prone individuals.