A Review of the Efficacy of the Low Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols (FODMAP) Diet in Managing Gastrointestinal Symptoms Related to Cancer Treatment.

The low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) diet, designed to alleviate symptoms in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), focuses on limiting the consumption of poorly absorbed fermentable carbohydrates known as FODMAP. These FODMAP are believed to be the primary triggers for food-related gastrointestinal symptoms in functional gastrointestinal disorders. However, there is currently insufficient direct evidence investigating the role of low FODMAP diets in cancer patients undergoing treatment. This review aims to summarize the current evidence on the low FODMAP diet and its potential implications for cancer patients in terms of treatment outcomes, alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms, and overall health. A systematic literature search was conducted using databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Cochrane. Five studies met the criteria for inclusion in the review, and these studies covered rectal toxicity during radiotherapy, gastrointestinal symptoms in colorectal cancer patients, acute gastrointestinal toxicity during pelvic external beam radiotherapy, symptoms in patients with radiation-induced enteropathy, and chronic gastrointestinal sequelae resulting from pelvic organ cancer treatment. The available evidence suggests that a low FODMAP diet may offer advantages in reducing rectal gas and volume during radiotherapy, alleviating diarrhea symptoms, reducing symptom deterioration, and improving quality of life. However, these studies highlight the need for large-scale randomized trials, long-term follow-up, and guidelines to establish the efficacy, safety, and implementation strategies of the low FODMAP diet in different cancer contexts and patient populations. While preliminary findings reported some possible benefits of a low FODMAP diet for certain cancer patients, rigorous studies with large sample sizes are needed to provide more robust evidence. Further research is warranted to optimize the utilization of this diet as an adjunctive intervention for managing gastrointestinal symptoms in this population.

Risk of Postpartum Depression: The Considerable Role of Maternal Health Status and Lifestyle.

Women's health issues are complex and require collaborative efforts to unravel some of these complexities. This study aims to identify the incidence risk of Postpartum Depression (PPD) in a national sample of women in Saudi Arabia and the relationship with several health status, lifestyle, and sociodemographic factors. A cross-sectional study with an online questionnaire format assessed the risk of postpartum depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and included several questions on postpartum health status and lifestyle factors. Of the 550 women who responded to the survey 75% scored within range of risk for PPD (≥12). We found significant associations between family income, younger baby age, birth difficulty, having family support, level of physical activity, and the risk for PPD (p < 0.05). Urgent attention and resources should be directed towards screening and treatment for PPD in the healthcare system. The development of programs for awareness, education, and support of postpartum mothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is also required.

Dairy products intake and the risk of postpartum depression among mothers: A pilot study.

Introduction: Postpartum depression is a prevalent consequence of childbirth experienced by many women. There has been evidence linking dairy intake during pregnancy with a reduction in postpartum depression symptoms. However, there is still a lack of understanding regarding the effects of postpartum dairy consumption on postpartum depression. Objectives: To examine whether dairy products intake and calcium in dairy is associated with postpartum depression. Methods: A pilot study was conducted (n = 49 postpartum women). A food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate the participants' consumption of calcium and dairy products during pregnancy, and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to screen for postpartum depression symptoms. Results: Of 49 participants, 26 (53%) were at risk for postpartum depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale ⩾ 12). Consuming >1 serving of Laban per day is significantly associated with reduced risk of postpartum depression (odds ratio = 0.01, 95% confidence interval [0, 0.3]). Total dairy intake >1 serving per day is significantly associated with reduced risk of postpartum depression (odds ratio = 0.17, 95% confidence interval [0.03, 0.83]). No significant association was found between the postpartum intake of milk, cheese, yogurt, or calcium and postpartum depression. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that higher total dairy intake was associated with a lower likelihood of postpartum depression. Further assessment with a larger sample size of participants could provide additional insight into the potential of dietary dairy to mitigate postpartum depression.

The Effect of Dairy Products and Nutrient Intake after Childbirth on the Risk of Postpartum Depression.

Previous studies have shown an association between the intake of dairy products during pregnancy and reduced symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD). However, the effect of postpartum intake of dairy products on PPD is not fully understood. This study evaluates the effects of dairy products and nutrient intake after childbirth on the risk of PPD. A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted asking participants to fill out a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess intake of dairy products and other nutrients. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to screen for PPD symptoms. Out of 530 participants, almost three-quarters subjectively reported PPD (N = 395, 74.11%). The risk of PPD was relatively high for a Q1 level of consumption of all four dairy products and other nutrients, and from Q2 to Q4 there appeared to be an increase in the risk of PPD as consumption increased. However, after adjustment for confounding factors, there was no significant association between postpartum intake of dairy products and other nutrients and PPD. The results indicate that the potential of dairy products and nutrient intake to reduce PPD are minimal. Further longitudinal and intervention studies of dairy products and other (particularly anti-depressants) nutrients are required to draw firm conclusions about their associations with the risk of PPD.

Physical activity patterns among women during the postpartum period: an insight into the potential impact of perceived fatigue.

BACKGROUND: Regular participation in physical activity (PA) improves physical well-being and reduces the risk of contracting noncommunicable diseases. However, fatigue could negatively impact the PA participation of women in their postpartum period. This study delineated the levels of perceived fatigue and characterized the association between fatigue and the PA patterns of postpartum women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire distributed to postpartum women living in Saudi Arabia. Their perceived postpartum fatigue (PPF) was assessed using the fatigue severity scale; their PA, using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaires; and their postpartum depression, using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Descriptive statistics were expressed as the mean ± standard deviation for normally distributed variables and as the median (interquartile range) for non-normally distributed variables. Between-group differences were tested using the Mann-Whitney U test for independent samples. To determine the relationship between the study variables, Spearman's rho correlation coefficient was calculated. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to explain the role of fatigue severity as an independent predictor of the variance of the PA level. RESULTS: A total of 499 postpartum women were divided into the PPF group (43%), who self-reported fatigue, and the non-PPF group (57%), who self-reported no fatigue. There was a significant difference in the median of vigorous PA, and moderate PA which were significantly higher in the non-PPF group than in the PPF group. The women with PPF reported less engagement in walking and a longer sitting duration than the women without PPF. High fatigue severity was associated with lower moderate PA (ß = -10.90; p = .005; R2 = .21) and vigorous PA (ß = -04; p < .001; R2 = .13). These associations remained significant in the regression model after adjustment for the mother's depression score; age; number of children; body mass index (kg/m2); employment status; intake of vitamins B1 (thiamin), C, and D and of Omega-3; and walking metabolic equivalent. CONCLUSION: PPF may reduce the PA of postpartum women. Strategies targeting PPF may buffer its harmful impacts, and thus, improve postpartum women's health.

Longitudinal Changes in CT Body Composition in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Colorectal Cancer and Associations With Peri-Operative Clinicopathological Characteristics.

There is evidence for the direct association between body composition, the magnitude of the systemic inflammatory response, and outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer. Patients with a primary operable disease with and without follow-up CT scans were examined in this study. CT scans were used to define the presence and changes in subcutaneous fat, visceral fat, skeletal muscle mass, and skeletal muscle density (SMD). In total, 804 patients had follow-up scans and 83 patients did not. Furthermore, 783 (97%) patients with follow-up scans and 60 (72%) patients without follow-up scans were alive at 1 year. Patients with follow-up scans were younger (p < 0.001), had a lower American Society of Anaesthesiology Grade (p < 0.01), underwent a laparoscopic surgery (p < 0.05), had a higher BMI (p < 0.05), a higher skeletal muscle index (SMI) (p < 0.01), a higher SMD (p < 0.01), and a better 1-year survival (p < 0.001). Overall only 20% of the patients showed changes in their SMI (n = 161) and an even lower percentage of patients showed relative changes of 10% (n = 82) or more. In conclusion, over the period of ~12 months, a low-skeletal muscle mass was associated with a systemic inflammatory response and was largely maintained following surgical resection.

Hypoalbuminemia Reflects Nutritional Risk, Body Composition and Systemic Inflammation and Is Independently Associated with Survival in Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

It has long been recognized that albumin has prognostic value in patients with cancer. However, although the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition GLIM criteria (based on five diagnostic criteria, three phenotypic criteria and two etiologic criteria) recognize inflammation as an important etiologic factor in malnutrition, there are limited data regarding the association between albumin, nutritional risk, body composition and systemic inflammation, and whether albumin is associated with mortality independent of these parameters. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between albumin, nutritional risk, body composition, systemic inflammation, and outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). A retrospective cohort study (n = 795) was carried out in which patients were divided into normal and hypoalbuminaemic groups (albumin < 35 g/L) in the presence and absence of a systemic inflammatory response C-reactive protein (CRP > 10 and <10 mg/L, respectively). Post-operative complications, severity of complications and mortality were considered as outcome measures. Categorical variables were analyzed using Chi-square test χ2 or linear-by-linear association. Survival data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression. In the presence of a systemic inflammatory response, hypoalbuminemia was directly associated with Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool MUST (p < 0.001) and inversely associated with Body Mass Index BMI (p < 0.001), subcutaneous adiposity (p < 0.01), visceral obesity (p < 0.01), skeletal muscle index (p < 0.001) and skeletal muscle density (p < 0.001). There was no significant association between hypoalbuminemia and either the presence of complications or their severity. In the absence of a systemic inflammatory response (n = 589), hypoalbuminemia was directly associated with MUST (p < 0.05) and inversely associated with BMI (p < 0.01), subcutaneous adiposity (p < 0.05), visceral adiposity (p < 0.05), skeletal muscle index (p < 0.01) and skeletal muscle density (p < 0.001). Hypoalbuminemia was, independently of inflammatory markers, associated with poorer cancer-specific and overall survival (both p < 0.001). The results suggest that hypoalbuminemia in patients with CRC reflects both increased nutritional risk and greater systemic inflammatory response and was independently associated with poorer survival in patients with CRC.

The relation between Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST), computed tomography-derived body composition, systemic inflammation, and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional status is an important factor affecting a patient's clinical outcomes. Early identification of patients who are at risk of malnutrition is important to improve clinical outcomes and reduce health cost. The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) has been recommended as part of the routine nursing assessment for all patients at hospital admission. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the association between nutritional status (MUST), systemic inflammatory response (SIR), body composition, and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. METHODS: The malnutrition risk was examined using MUST in patients admitted for surgery for colorectal cancer between March 2013 and June 2016. Preoperative computed tomography scans were used to define the body composition. The presence of SIR was evidenced by the modified Glasgow prognostic score and the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio. Postoperative complications, severity of complication, length of hospital stay, and mortality were considered as outcome measures. RESULTS: The study included 363 patients (199 males, 164 females); 21% of the patients presented with a medium or high nutritional risk. There were significant associations between MUST and subcutaneous adiposity (P < 0.001), visceral obesity (P < 0.001), and low skeletal muscle index (P < 0.001). No statistically significant association was identified between MUST score and presence of any complication or severity of complication. On multivariate analysis, MUST remained independently associated with the length of hospital stay (OR: 2.17; 95% CI: 1.45, 3.26; P < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed an increased number of deaths for patients at medium or high risk of malnutrition (P < 0.001). This association was found to be independent of other confounding factors (HR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.99; P = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: MUST score is an independent marker of risk in those undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and should remain a key part of preoperative assessment.

Relationship between computed tomography-derived body composition, sex, and post-operative complications in patients with colorectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: In the UK, colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death. Surgery is the primary modality of treatment, but it is not without complications. Post-operative complications have been linked to preoperative of weight loss and loss of lean tissue, and also to obesity. Given sex differences in body composition, an examination of body composition and post-operative complications may provide valuable information. Therefore, the aim was to examine the relationship between male/female body composition and post-operative complications in patients with operable colorectal cancer. METHODS: Patients (n = 741) undergoing operation for colorectal cancer were examined. Preoperative CT scans were used to define the muscle mass and quality, visceral obesity, and subcutaneous adiposity. Post-operative complications, in particular, surgical site infection (SSI) and wound infection (WI) were considered as outcome measures. RESULTS: Male patients with greater subcutaneous adiposity had higher risk of SSI and WI (p < 0.01 and p ≤ 0.001, respectively). On multivariate analysis, Post-operative Glasgow Prognostic Score (poGPS) on Day 4 (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.53-2.92, P = 0.001) laparoscopic surgery (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.26-0.98, P = 0.044), and subcutaneous adiposity (OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.26-5.82, P = 0.011) remained significantly independently associated with overall SSI. Subcutaneous adiposity remained significantly independently associated with WI (OR 3.93, 95% CI 1.33-11.57, P = 0.013). In female patients, however, no significant association was found between any body composition measure and complications. CONCLUSION: This study showed that increased subcutaneous and visceral adiposity were associated with infective complications in male, but not female patients, after colorectal cancer surgery. Therefore, it is important that sex be taken into account when evaluating the potential impact of body composition on post-operative outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.

The relationship between body mass index, sex, and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing potentially curative surgery for colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that an increased BMI is associated with increased complications after surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the basis of this relationship is not clear. Since men and women have different fat distribution, with men more likely to have excess visceral fat in BMI defined obesity, there may be a sex difference in the surgical site infection (SSIs) rate in the obese. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between sex, BMI, clinic-pathological characteristics and the development of postoperative infective complications after surgery for CRC and to establish whether there were gender differences in complication following surgery for CRC. DESIGN: Data were recorded prospectively for patients undergoing potentially curative surgery for CRC in a single centre between 1997 and 2016. Patient characteristics were recorded and complications were classified as either infective or non-infective. The relationship between sex, BMI, associated clinicopathological characteristics and presences of complications were examined by Chi-square test for linear association and multivariate binary logistic regression model. RESULTS: A total of 1039 patients were included. There were significant differences in the presence of complications between male and female (p ≤ 0.001), the rate of complication was higher in obese male (44%); in particular SSIs, wound infection and anastomotic leak (p ≤ 0.05). The rate of surgical site infection was 12% in male patients with normal BMI compared with 26% in those with a BMI ≥30 (p ≤ 0.001), while the rate of SSIs in female patients was 10% in those with normal BMI and those with a BMI ≥30. In males, BMI remained significantly associated with SSI on multivariate analysis [(OR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.13-1.78) P = 0,002]. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity prior to surgery for CRC increases the risk of infective complications in both male and female. Increased BMI in male patients was associated greater risk of SSIs and wound infection compared to female patients. Male obese patients should be considered at high risk of developing post-operative infective complications.

The relationship between computed tomography-derived body composition, systemic inflammatory response, and survival in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality in developed countries. There is evidence supporting a disproportionate loss of skeletal muscle as an independent prognostic factor. The importance of the systemic inflammatory response as a unifying mechanism for specific loss of skeletal muscle mass in patients with cancer is increasingly recognized. The aim of the present study was to delineate the relationship between the systemic inflammatory response, skeletal muscle index (SMI), skeletal muscle density (SMD), and overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 650 patients with primary operable colorectal cancer. Computed tomography scans were used to define the presence of visceral obesity, sarcopenia (low SMI), and myosteatosis (low SMD). Tumour and patient characteristics were recorded. Survival analysis was carried out using univariate and multivariate Cox regression. RESULTS: A total of 650 patients (354 men and 296 women) were included. The majority of patients were over 65 years of age (64%) and overweight or obese (68%). On univariate survival analysis, age, ASA, TNM stage, modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), body mass index, subcutaneous fat index, visceral obesity, SMI, and SMD were significantly associated with overall survival (all P < 0.05). A low SMI and SMD were significantly associated with an elevated mGPS (<0.05). On multivariate analysis, SMI (Martin) [hazard ratio (HR) 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-2.18, P = 0.031], SMD (Xiao) (HR 1.42, 95% CI 0.98-2.05, P = 0.061), and mGPS (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.15-1.79, P = 0.001) were independently associated with overall survival. SMD but not SMI was significantly associated with ASA (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study delineates the relationship between the loss of quantity and quality of skeletal muscle mass, the systemic inflammatory response, and survival in patients with operable colorectal cancer.

The relationship between body mass index and short term postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing potentially curative surgery for colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity has increased worldwide over the last few decades, and is a well-recognized risk factor for colorectal cancer. Surgical site infection is the most frequent complication following surgery for colorectal cancer, and the main cause of postoperative morbidity. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the relationship between increasing BMI and postoperative surgical site infection following surgery for colorectal cancer. METHODS: A systemic literature search was conducted using Medline, PubMed, Embase (Ovid) and Web of Science databases from inception to the end of August 2016. Studies examining the relationship between obesity and surgical site infection following surgery for colorectal cancer were included. Analysis of the data was performed using Review Manager version 5.3(The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, Copen-hagen, Denmark,) RESULTS: In this meta-analysis, a total of 9535 patients from 16 studies were included. BMI <30 vs ≥30kg/m2 was used to examine the association of obesity and surgical site infection in patients from Western countries. The estimated pooled OR demonstrated that obesity increased the risk of surgical site infection by approximately 100% (OR=2.13; 95% CI 1.66-2.72, p<0.001).BMI <25 vs ≥25kg/m2 was used to examine the association of obesity and surgical site infection from Asian countries. The estimated pooled OR demonstrated that obesity increased the risk of surgical site infection by approximately 60% (OR=1.63; 95% CI 1.29-2.06, p<0.001). There was little evidence of publication bias in the meta-analysis. CONCLUSION: From this systematic review and meta-analysis there was good evidence that obesity was associated with a significantly higher risk of developing surgical site infection following surgery for colorectal cancer in both ethnic groups. The magnitude of the effect warrants further investigation.