Effectiveness of Nutritional Interventions for Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

This study aims to estimate the effects of nutritional interventions on the improvement of nutritional status and quality of life (QoL) among gastrointestinal patients in Vietnam

A quasi-experiment with intervention and control groups for pre- and post-intervention assessment was carried out at the Department of Oncology and Palliative Care - Medical University Hospital from 2016 to 2019. 60 gastrointestinal cancer patients were recruited in each group. At stage 1, we selected patients of the intervention group who met the inclusion criteria to receive nutritional counseling and diet at the hospital. At stage 2, we chose patients who were eligible but did not accept the nutritional counseling and diet at the hospital. Participants in both groups were paired together according to the following criteria: 1) Age group: <40 years old, 40-65 years old and >65 years old; 2) Gender: Male and female; 3) Types of cancer: stomach cancer and colon cancer; 4) Disease stages: stage 1-2 and stage 3-4.

Regarding the intervention group, patients were treated with the intervention regimen, which consisted of: Nutritional counseling Each patient was assigned a specific menu which were prepared by research members during the time of staying at the hospital. Before discharge, patients were instructed on preparing their diets at home with the recommended amount of energy and protein and given formula milk within two months.

Each patient was assigned a specific menu which were prepared by research members during the time of staying at the hospital. Before discharge, patients were instructed on preparing their diets at home with the recommended amount of energy and protein and given formula milk within two months

The Scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) was used as the preeminent interdisciplinary patient assessment among patients with oncology. This tool includes (1) four patient-generated historical components (Weight History, Food Intake, Symptoms, Activities and Function); (2) the professional part (Diagnosis, Metabolic stress, and Physical Exam); (3) the Global Assessment (A = well-nourished, B = moderately malnourished, C = severely malnourished); (4) the total score, and nutritional triage recommendations. Changes in anthropometric indicators were also reported (weight, MUAC, muscle mass)

Change of quality of life after 8 weeks: European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) version 3.0

We utilized the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) version 3.0, which is an integrated and modular approach to holistically evaluate the QoL of patients with cancer.all dimensions of the tool will range from 0 to 100, in which a higher score presents a better level of functioning/the global health status or a worse level of symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria: aged 18 years old or above diagnosed with stomach or colon cancer; at the initial of receiving chemotherapy treatment; indicated for oral feeding; not having co-morbidities of chronic diseases such as kidney failure, heart failure, liver failure, diabetes; having ability to communicate with data collectors and both attending doctors and agreeing to involve in the study Exclusion Criteria: treated by other methods such as radiation, endocrine, immunity; undergoing terminal palliative care; having contraindications to oral feeding/enteral nutrition

Nguyen LT, Dang AK, Duong PT, Phan HBT, Pham CTT, Nguyen ATL, Le HT. Nutrition intervention is beneficial to the quality of life of patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing chemotherapy in Vietnam. Cancer Med. 2021 Mar;10(5):1668-1680. doi: 10.1002/cam4.3766. Epub 2021 Feb 7.