Nicole Kiss

Updated evidence-based practice guidelines for the nutritional management of patients receiving radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy

Aims: The aim of this paper was to update the evidence-based practice guidelines for the nutritional management of patients receiving radiation therapy and broaden the scope to include chemotherapy. Methods: The following databases were searched using a range of keywords: Cochrane Database, CENTRAL, MEDLINE (via Ebscohost), EMBASE, CINAHL (Ebscohost), Web of Science, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition and PubMed. Relevant papers (n = 47) were reviewed by at least two members of the steering committee and assigned a level of evidence and a quality rating. Results: There were no new published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of nutrition intervention in radiation therapy. Most statements in the previous radiation therapy guidelines have strong evidence supporting nutrition intervention. There were 12 studies in chemotherapy including five RCTs. While these studies provided strong evidence that simple nutrition intervention improves nutritional outcomes such as dietary intake and weight, they did not find an improvement in quality of life or survival. Several RCTs found no benefits of nutrition support in patients undergoing chemotherapy. None of the RCTs in chemotherapy used medical nutrition therapy (MNT) as the intervention, but rather simple dietary advice and/or supplements. Conclusions: The evidence to support nutrition intervention in patients receiving radiation therapy remains strong. However, the benefits of nutrition intervention in chemotherapy are less clear. Further studies are required to evaluate the impact of MNT as opposed to simple dietary advice in chemotherapy patients. This update contributes to a move towards comprehensive evidence-based guidelines for the nutritional management of patients with cancer.

Is ginger beneficial for nausea and vomiting? An update of the literature.

Purpose of reviewNausea and vomiting can pose a significant burden to patients in a variety of clinical settings. Previous evidence suggests that ginger may be an effective treatment for these symptoms; however, current evidence has been mixed. This article discusses recent clinical trials that have investigated ginger as a treatment for multiple types of nausea and vomiting. In addition, the potential mechanisms of action of ginger will be discussed. Recent findingsThis article identified nine studies and seven reviews that investigated ginger for morning sickness, postoperative nausea and vomiting, chemotherapy-induced, and antiretroviral-induced nausea and vomiting. All studies reported that ginger provided a significant reduction in nausea and vomiting; however, the clinical relevance of some studies is less certain. Common limitations within the literature include the lack of standardized extracts, poorly controlled or blinded studies, and limited sample size. In addition, recent evidence has provided further support for 5-HT3 receptor antagonism as a mechanism by which ginger may exert its potentially beneficial effect on nausea and vomiting. SummaryThe results of studies in this article suggest that ginger is a promising treatment for nausea and vomiting in a variety of clinical settings and possesses a clinically relevant mechanism. However, further studies are required to address the limitations in the current clinical literature before firm recommendations for its use can be made.

The effect of nutrition intervention in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy: A systematic review

The prevalence of malnutrition in lung cancer patients across a variety of treatment modalities and disease stages ranges from 45% to 69%. Malnutrition is associated with poorer clinical outcomes in cancer patients. This systematic review examined whether dietary counseling or oral supplements during chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy in patients with lung cancer affect patient or clinical outcomes. Relevant nutrition intervention studies from 1980 to March 2012 were identified. Articles meeting predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria were critically appraised and included in the review. The outcomes of interest included dietary intake, weight, nutritional status, quality of life, functional status, treatment response, and survival. Five eligible studies were identified including 3 randomized controlled trials, 1 historical cohort, and 1 case series. These studies suggest dietary counseling improves energy and protein intake during chemotherapy in patients with lung cancer but has no benefit to other outcomes during chemotherapy. There is insufficient evidence regarding the effect on patient or clinical outcomes during radiotherapy. Randomized trials examining dietary counseling in patients with lung cancer during radiotherapy are required.

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Narrative Review to Inform Dietetics Practice.

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) are common symptoms experienced by patients with cancer that influence nutrition. They exert a detrimental effect on dietary intake, risk of malnutrition, and quality of life. Whereas CINV are primarily managed with medication, nutrition and dietetics practitioners play an important role in the management of CINV-related complications such as reduced dietary intake. This review discusses the burden of nausea and vomiting that patients with cancer can experience, including the effect on quality of life, nutritional status, and treatment outcomes. Implications for dietetics practice include the need to explore the nature of reported symptoms, identify predisposing risk factors, and to consider the use of a variety of interventions that are individualized to a patients symptoms. There are little clinical data regarding effective dietetic interventions for nausea and vomiting. In summary, this review discusses dietetics-related issues surrounding CINV, including the pathophysiology, risk factors, prevalence, and both pharmacologic and dietetic treatment options.

Challenges and outcomes of a randomized study of early nutrition support during autologous stem-cell transplantation

Patients undergoing myeloablative conditioning regimens and autologous stem-cell transplantation (asct) are at high risk of malnutrition. This randomized study aimed to determine if early nutrition support (commenced when oral intake is less than 80% of estimated requirements) compared with usual care (commenced when oral intake is less than 50% of estimated requirements) reduces weight loss in well-nourished patients undergoing high-nutritional-risk conditioning chemotherapy and asct. In the 50 well-nourished patients who were randomized, the outcomes evaluated included changes in weight and lean body mass (mid-upper arm circumference), length of stay, time to hemopoietic engraftment, and quality of life (Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale - Short Form). On secondary analysis, after exclusion of a single extreme outlier, both groups demonstrated significant weight loss over time (p = 0.0005). Weight loss was less in the early nutrition support group at time of discharge (mean: -0.4% ± 2.9% vs. -3.4% ± 2.6% in the usual care group, p = 0.001). This difference in weight was no longer observed at 6 months after discharge (mean: -1.0% ± 6.8% vs. 1.4% ± 6.1%, p = 0.29). In practice, an early start to nutrition support proved difficult because of patient resistance and physician preference, with 8 patients (33%) in the control group and 4 (15%) in the intervention group not commencing nutrition support when stipulated by the study protocol. No significant differences between the groups were found for other outcomes. In well-nourished patients receiving asct, early nutrition support maintained weight during admission, but did not affect other outcomes. Interpretation of results should take into consideration the difficulties encountered with intervention implementation.

Early and Intensive Dietary Counseling in Lung Cancer Patients Receiving (Chemo)Radiotherapy—A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

ABSTRACT Malnutrition is prevalent in patients undergoing (chemo)radiotherapy (RT) for lung cancer. This pilot study tested the feasibility and acceptability of delivering an intensive nutrition intervention for lung cancer patients receiving RT. Twenty-four patients with lung cancer were randomized to receive the intervention which employed a care pathway to guide intensive dietary counseling from pretreatment until 6-wk posttreatment or usual care. Nutritional, fatigue, and functional outcomes were assessed using valid and reliable questionnaires before randomization, at the start and end of RT and 1- and 3-mo post-RT. Consent rate was 57% with an overall attrition of 37%. Subject compliance with the completion of study questionnaires was 100%. A clinically important mean difference indicated greater overall satisfaction with nutritional care in the intervention group (5.00, interquartile range [IQR] 4.50–5.00; 4.00, IQR 4.00–4.00). Clinically important differences favoring the intervention were observed for weight (3.0 kg; 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.8, 6.8), fat-free mass (0.6 kg; 95% CI −2.1, 3.3), physical well-being (2.1; 95% CI −2.3, 6.5), and functional well-being (5.1; 95% CI 1.6, 8.6), but all 95% CIs were wide and most included zero. Recruitment feasibility and acceptability of the intervention were demonstrated, which suggest larger trials using an intensive nutrition intervention would be achievable.

Dosimetric factors associated with weight loss during (chemo)radiotherapy treatment for lung cancer

Background/Objectives:Thoracic radiotherapy (RT) is associated with acute toxicities, including oesophagitis, which can have an impact on nutritional intake and subsequently lead to malnutrition. This study aimed to identify RT dosimetric factors associated with ⩾5% weight loss in patients receiving treatment for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods:Radiation dose data to the oesophagus (including mean, maximum dose and oesophageal length) were retrospectively analysed for a cohort of 54 NSCLC patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy between 2004 and 2006. Weight change was calculated using the lowest weight during the 90 days from RT commencement compared with the start of RT.Results:Four patients for whom weight was not available at the start or end of treatment were excluded, leaving 50 patients for analysis. The prevalence of significant weight loss during the 90 days from RT commencement was 22% (median weight loss=9.1%, range=5.9–22.1). Dosimetric factors significantly associated with ⩾5% weight loss were maximum dose to the oesophagus (P=0.046), absolute oesophageal length receiving 40 Gy (odds ratio (OR)=1.18, P=0.04), 50 Gy (OR=1.20, P=0.02) and 60 Gy (OR=1.32, P=0.005) to the partial circumference, relative oesophageal length receiving 50 Gy (OR=1.03, P=0.03) and 60 Gy (OR=1.07, P=0.005) to the partial circumference.Conclusions:Multiple dosimetric factors were associated with significant weight loss. Of these factors, absolute and relative length of the oesophagus receiving 60 Gy to the partial circumference were more strongly related. Understanding the dosimetric factors associated with weight loss may aid early identification and intervention in patients at nutritional risk.

Evaluating the effectiveness of a nutrition assistant role in a head and neck cancer clinic: Nutrition assistants in a head and neck clinic

AIM Acute toxicities secondary to (chemo)radiation for head and neck cancer can substantially impact nutritional intake. Nutrition is usually managed by dietitians, although time constraints may limit capacity to sufficiently deal with complex nutritional issues. The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of a nutrition assistant performing screening and intervention of patients in a multidisciplinary head and neck clinic. METHODS A model of care was developed to guide nutrition assistant practice within the clinic, with training provided to nutrition assistants prior to the clinics implementation. Outcomes, including amount of dietitian time managing high risk patients, weight change over the duration of treatment, timing of initiation of enteral feeding and patient satisfaction were compared with pre- and post-implementation of the nutrition assistant role. RESULTS Ninety-one patients were included, 43 pre-implementation and 48 post-implementation. Overall, (n = 21, 44%) of patients met criteria for nutrition assistant screening or intervention. Mean weight change between groups was comparable both during (-5.6% vs -4.7%, P = 0.3) and post-radiotherapy (-6.6% vs -6.49%, P = 0.9). Following implementation of the role significant improvement was found for overall patient satisfaction (4.0 ± 1.1 vs 4.6 ± 0.61, P = 0.03), and the dimensions: patient-perceived benefit (3.8 ± 0.69 vs 4.4 ± 0.62, P < 0.01) and dietitian/nutrition-assistant interpersonal skills (3.91 ± 1.1 vs 4.6 ± 0.55, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS The nutrition assistant role resulted in improved patient satisfaction and maintenance of nutritional outcomes demonstrating the effectiveness of this role in supporting the management of head and neck cancer patients within a multidisciplinary treatment clinic.

Attitudes, beliefs and behaviours of Australia dietitians regarding dietary supplements: A cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes, beliefs and behaviors of Australian dietitians regarding dietary supplements. METHODS An online survey was disseminated through the mailing lists of multiple healthcare organizations. There were 231 Australian dietitians that replied to the online survey. RESULTS The results indicate that Australian dietitians are interested in dietary supplements (65%); however, the results also indicate that Australian dietitians are tentative about integrating dietary supplements into their dietetic practice. Concerns regarding potential drug-nutrient/herbal interactions were reported as the primary barrier (67%) to utilizing dietary supplements as part of clinical practice. In addition, there was a strong interest in additional training in dietary supplements (79%). CONCLUSIONS In summary, Australian dietitians are interested in the use of dietary supplements; however, due to current barriers, few dietitians utilize dietary supplements as part of dietetic practice.

Nutrition and exercise interventions for patients with lung cancer appear beneficial, but more studies are required

Patients with lung cancer have a symptom burden—including fatigue, anorexia, and weight loss—that is among the highest for all types of cancer1. These symptoms have the potential to result in malnutrition and subsequent poorer patient and clinical outcomes, such as reduced quality of life, reduced tolerance to treatment, and increased health care costs2. Interventions that improve fatigue and maintain or improve nutrition status are therefore of great importance. The systematic review by Payne et al.3 of exercise and nutrition interventions in patients with advanced lung cancer in this issue of Current Oncology highlights the limited high-quality research that has been conducted in this area. The authors conclude that, although there appears to be some benefit from exercise and nutrition interventions, further research is required. One of the reasons a larger body of evidence is not available on this topic may relate to the characteristics of the lung cancer population. As the authors note, recruitment and attrition were problematic in all the included studies. The challenges of studying supportive care interventions in advanced lung cancer patients has previously been discussed. It has been suggested that poor performance status, poor ability to communicate in English, and rapidly changing health status may all contribute to low recruitment and high attrition4. Future intervention research in this group needs to account for those factors in the study planning stages. The authors also observe that nutrition counselling as an intervention was not tested in any of the studies. Intensive individualized nutrition counselling has previously been demonstrated to be effective in achieving improvements in patient and clinical outcomes in both head-and-neck and gastrointestinal cancers5,6. This area warrants further exploration in patients with lung cancer. Clinical practice guidelines have recently been developed for the medical and supportive care management of patients with non-small-cell and small-cell lung cancer7. The paucity of research on exercise and nutrition interventions is reflected in the lack of related recommendations in the guidelines. The systematic review by Payne et al. raises awareness of this under-researched area and provides suggestions for future research.