ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Malnutrition is common among cancer patients and it is reported in a significant proportion of patients with gynaecological cancer (GC). The aim of this study was to determine the association between quality of life (QOL) and hand grip strength (HGS) among malnourished GC outpatients in the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Methods: This study was carried out in a Multidisciplinary Clinic of NCI. HGS was measured using Jamar Hand Dynamometer. Nutritional status was assessed using the scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PGSGA). QOL was measured using the validated European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Questionnaire (EORTC-QLQ C30). Results: A total of 69 patients were selected for the study. Fifty eight (84.1%) were classified as moderately malnourished or at risk of malnutrition (PG-SGA B) and 11 (15.9%) were classified as severely malnourished (PG-SGA C). There was a moderate, significant positive relationship between HGS and functional status (rs=0.275, p=0.022) observed in this study. Besides, in malnourished GC patients with low HGS, results indicated that they had problems with social functioning as well (r=0.255, p=0.035). Appetite was suggested as a predicting factor for low HGS among malnourished GC patients (F=12.253, p=0.001). Conclusion: HGS is a simple objective indicator of functionality and is, therefore, a valid item to be measured when assessing QOL of malnourished GC outpatients.
ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: This is open label randomised control trial, aimed to identify whether an early (commenced at the time of diagnosis) and intensive nutrition intervention (INI) (individualised dietary counselling, oral nutritional supplements [ONS], telephone, and home visit) can improve weight and dietary intake of gynaecological cancer (GC) patients preoperatively. Methods: Selected GC patients planned for surgery were randomly grouped into control group (CG) (n = 35) and intervention group (IG) (n = 34). Malnutrition screening tool (MST) was used as a screening tool, while Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) was used as a nutrition assessment tool. IG received an intensive individualised dietary counselling with the supply of ONS at baseline (Day 1). This continued with telephone and home visit follow-up by research dietitian (Day 3 and Day 6). Meanwhile, CG only received general nutritional counselling without supply of ONS. Final assessment was conducted on Day 14. The primary outcomes included weight changes measured using TANITA and dietary intake assessment using 24-hour diet recall. Results: Mean duration of INI was 14 days. At the end of the treatment period, there was a significant weight change between groups (p < 0.001), with 0.14% weight gain in IG and 1.3% weight reduction in CG. Mean energy and protein intake of IG were higher compared to CG by +329 kcal/day and +12.2 g/day, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that INI that incorporated individualised dietary counselling, ONS, telephone counselling, and home visit can increase energy and protein intake of GC patients, resulting in weight gain.