Nutrition intervention is beneficial in oncology outpatients receiving radiotherapy to the gastrointestinal or head and neck area

Background: Malnutrition occurs frequently in patients with cancer of the gastrointestinal or head and neck area and can lead to negative outcomes. Objective: To determine the impact of early and intensive nutrition intervention on body weight, body composition, nutritional status, global quality of life and physical function compared to usual practice in oncology outpatients receiving radiotherapy to the gastrointestinal or head and neck area. Design: Outpatients commencing at least 20 fractions of radiotherapy to the gastrointestinal or head and neck area were randomised to receive intensive, individualised nutrition counselling by a dietitian using a standard protocol and oral supplements if required, or the usual practice of the centre (general advice and nutrition booklet). Outcome parameters were measured at baseline and four, eight, and twelve weeks after commencing radiotherapy using valid and reliable tools. Results: Sixty patients (51M;9F; mean age 61.9 yr +/- 14.0) were randomised to receive either nutrition intervention (n=29) or usual care (n=31). The nutrition intervention group had statistically smaller deteriorations in weight (p < 0.001), nutritional status (p = 0.020) and global quality of life (p = 0.009) compared with those receiving usual care. Clinically, but not statistically significant differences in fat-free mass were observed between the groups (p = 0.195). Conclusions Early and intensive nutrition intervention appears beneficial in terms of minimising weight loss, deterioration in nutritional status, global quality of life and physical function in oncology outpatients receiving radiotherapy to the gastrointestinal or head and neck area. Weight maintenance in this population leads to beneficial outcomes and suggests that this, rather than weight gain, may be a more appropriate aim of nutrition intervention

Evidence based practice guidelines for the nutritional management of cancer cachexia and chronic kidney disease

The purpose of these guidelines is to provide dietitians in Australia with a user-friendly summary of the evidence to support the nutritional management of adult patients with cancer cachexia. This best available evidence is presented and used as a basis for providing recommendations about clinical practice.\ud \ud The clinical questions were as follows:\ud • How should patients be identified for referral to the dietitian in order to maximise nutritional intervention opportunities?\ud • How should nutritional status be assessed?\ud • What are the goals of nutrition intervention for patients with cancer cachexia?\ud • What is the nutrition prescription to achieve these goals?\ud • Should eicosapentaenoic acid be included in the prescription?\ud • What are effective methods of implementation to ensure positive outcomes?\ud • Does nutrition intervention improve outcomes in patients with cancer cachexia?\ud \ud This document is a general guide to appropriate practice to be followed only subject to the dietitian’s judgement in each individual case. The guidelines are designed to provide information to assist decision-making and are based on the best information available at the date of compilation. The guidelines recommend intensive nutrition therapy. This has potential resource implications that may include additional staff, change to staff roles and increased use of high/protein energy supplements if they are considered. Therefore, in applying the guidelines these potential organisational and cost\ud barriers need to be considered. These guidelines for practice are provided with the express understanding that they do not establish or specify particular standards\ud of care, whether legal, medical or other