Measuring the effectiveness of dietetic interventions in nutritional support

Discrepancy in the evaluation of explicit and implicit nutrition care outcomes for patients at risk of malnutrition: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Nutrition care plays a significant role in the prevention and treatment of malnutrition, although the challenge to establish the precise impact of a nutrition intervention on patient outcomes remains. Malnutrition can be associated with diverse underlying diseases and an increased risk of complications, which increases the difficulty of monitoring and evaluating the nutrition intervention. The aim is to gain an understanding of dietitians' reflections concerning nutrition care outcomes of interventions in patients at risk of malnutrition.

METHODS

Six semi-structured audio-recorded focus group discussions with registered dietitians from primary healthcare and hospitals (n = 29) in Sweden were held at the dietitians' place of work or at the University. Focus group transcripts were analysed thematically to reveal patterns in the data and identify themes and subthemes.

RESULTS

The dietitians described an approach to nutrition monitoring and evaluation of patients at risk of malnutrition that was categorised into three themes: (i) quantitative explicit outcomes, based on objective measures and described as rigorous; (ii) quantitative estimated outcomes, based on estimates and described as less rigorous and (iii) qualitative implicit outcomes, based on patients' subjective perceptions and experiences of their health and described as difficult to measure.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings indicate the need for new strategies to promote systematic and comprehensive nutrition monitoring and evaluation.

A systematic review examining nutrition support interventions in patients with incurable cancer

PURPOSE

Recent guidelines by the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) have advocated increased attention to nutritional support in all patients with cancer; however, little is known about the optimal type of nutritional intervention. The aim of this review was to assess the current evidence for nutrition support in patients with incurable cancer.

METHODS

This review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Embase, MEDLINE and CINAHL were searched from 1990 to 2018. Evidence was appraised using a modified risk of bias table, based on guidance from the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.

RESULTS

Sixty studies were assessed of which twelve met the eligibility criteria. Eleven studies examined body composition, with six studies reporting improvements in weight. Six studies examined nutritional status with three studies reporting an improvement. Nine studies examined nutritional intake with six showing improvements including significant improvements in dietary and protein intake. Ten studies examined quality of life, with six studies reporting improvements following intervention. The most common nutritional interventions examined were nutrition counselling and dietary supplementation.

CONCLUSIONS

There is moderate quality evidence to support the need for increased attention to nutrition support in patients with incurable cancer; however, despite some statistically significant results being reported, the clinical effects of them were small. Key questions remain as to the optimal timing for these interventions to be implemented (e.g. cachexia stage, illness stage and timing with anticancer therapy) and the most appropriate endpoint measures.

The effects of patient participation-based dietary intervention on nutritional and functional status for patients with gastrectomy: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Patients undergoing gastrectomy because of stomach cancer often face weight loss in the perioperational period, which can lead to malnutrition and negative treatment outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to develop a patient participation-based dietary intervention (PPDI) and evaluate its effects on patient outcomes.

INTERVENTIONS/METHODS

This was a prospective, randomized controlled trial in which the patients were recruited in a cancer center in South Korea. The participants (N = 56), who underwent gastrectomy with stomach cancer stage I to III, were randomly assigned into either the experimental or the control group. The PPDI, which was given on the day before the hospital discharge, comprised 2 face-to-face and 2 telephone interventions. The outcome variables included body weight, body mass index, muscle mass, the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment, Dietary Symptom Scale, Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy-General, Karnofsky Performance Status, Adherence to Dietary Guidelines Scale, Scale of Dietary Knowledge, Patient Satisfaction Scale, and a 3-day food diary.

RESULTS

Participants in the PPDI intervention demonstrated significant (P < .05) reductions in adverse dietary symptoms and significant improvements (P < .05) in functional status, performance status, dietary intake, adherence to dietary guidelines, dietary knowledge, and satisfaction with the intervention as compared with the control group over time.

CONCLUSION

The PPDI was an effective dietary intervention for patients undergoing a gastrectomy for gastric cancer and deserves additional study in other populations of patients.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Incorporating patients' perspectives into a dietary intervention after gastrectomy for gastric cancer may contribute to improved patient outcomes and quality care.

Simple nutritional intervention in patients with advanced cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, non-small cell lung cancers or mesothelioma and weight loss receiving chemotherapy: a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Weight loss in patients with cancer is common and associated with a poorer survival and quality of life. Benefits from nutritional interventions are unclear. The present study assessed the effect of dietary advice and/or oral nutritional supplements on survival, nutritional endpoints and quality of life in patients with weight loss receiving palliative chemotherapy for gastrointestinal and non-small cell lung cancers or mesothelioma.

METHODS

Participants were randomly assigned to receive no intervention, dietary advice, a nutritional supplement or dietary advice plus supplement before the start of chemotherapy. Patients were followed for 1 year. Survival, nutritional status and quality of life were assessed.

RESULTS

In total, 256 men and 102 women (median age, 66 years; range 24-88 years) with gastrointestinal (n = 277) and lung (n = 81) cancers were recruited. Median (range) follow-up was 6 (0-49) months. One-year survival was 38.6% (95% confidence interval 33.3-43.9). No differences in survival, weight or quality of life between groups were seen. Patients surviving beyond 26 weeks experienced significant weight gain from baseline to 12 weeks, although this was independent of nutritional intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Simple nutritional interventions did not improve clinical or nutritional outcomes or quality of life. Weight gain predicted a longer survival but occurred independently of nutritional intervention.

Effects of nutritional counselling on anthropometric measures in adult patients with cancer undergoing treatment and their perception and satisfaction level: a comprehensive systematic review

BACKGROUND

Patients with cancer undergoing treatment often develop malnutrition. Malnutrition can lead to multiple complications. In view of the potential complications, it is important for the patients to maintain good nutritional status. One method to maintain a good nutritional status is to provide frequent nutritional support such as nutritional counselling. The effectiveness of nutritional counselling is commonly indicated by anthropometric measures. Other than anthropometric measures, the value of patients' perception and satisfaction levels towards nutritional counselling are important as well.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this systematic review were: (1) to examine the effect of nutritional counselling based on anthropometric measures in adult patients with cancer undergoing treatment, and (2) to determine patients' perceptions and satisfaction levels towards nutritional counselling.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Types of participants This review considered adult patients with cancer aged 18 years or over. Patients were at various stages of the disease. Patients were undergoing treatment.Types of intervention This review considered all types of nutritional counselling given to patients with cancer.Types of outcomes The outcome of interest were anthropometric measures, patients' subjective perceptions and patients' satisfaction level.Types of studies This review considered studies that examined the effectiveness of nutritional counselling on anthropometric measures in adult patients with cancer undergoing treatment, as well as their perception and satisfaction levels towards nutritional counselling.

SEARCH STRATEGY

A comprehensive search strategy was developed using all identified MeSH headings and key words for quantitative and qualitative studies.

METHODOLOGICAL QUALITY

Both quantitative and qualitative papers selected for review for methodological validity were assessed by two independent reviewers prior to inclusion in the review. The review was then carried out using the standardised critical appraisal instruments.

DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION

Following the critical appraisal, data were extracted from the included study using data extraction tools developed by JBI.A total of 11 articles were included in this systematic review, 6 were randomised controlled trials, 3 were comparable cohort studies and 2 qualitative studies.

DATA ANALYSIS

Narrative summary was presented for the quantitative studies as statistical pooling was not possible. For qualitative studies, findings were presented in meta-synthesis form.

RESULTS

From the presented quantitative studies, some patients with cancer were clinically benefited from the effect of nutritional counselling through the improvement or minimisation of the deterioration of body weight and fat free mass at particular time or chemotherapy cycle. Overall, patients were satisfied with the nutritional counselling they received. Patients feel that the ability to eat is important however, patients with cancer developed eating inability as a result of disease process and treatment side effects From the qualitative findings, most participants expressed that counseling was beneficial but highlighted the need for understanding of the individual food preferences when giving nutritional counselling.

CONCLUSIONS

Lastly, from the quantitative finding, no absolute conclusion can be drawn on the effect of nutritional counselling on anthropometric measures. The findings of patients' perceptions and satisfaction levels towards nutritional counselling can provide an improved framework to help health care professionals in implement better nutritional counselling session.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE -

The quantitative findings support the use of individualized and intensive nutritional counselling for patients with cancer to improve body weight and fat free mass measurement. Patient satisfaction with nutritional counselling should be conducted regularly in the clinical area. The qualitative findings highlight the need for minimising eating inability related to treatment side effects and disease process. Furthermore, the qualitative findings indicated the need for more individualized nutritional counselling in the clinical area, taking into account individual dietary differences, concerns, and needs.

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH -

There is a need for further research to assess the effectiveness of nutritional counselling based on anthropometric measures, patients' perception and satisfaction.

A review of the evidence for the impact of improving nutritional care on nutritional and clinical outcomes and cost

BACKGROUND

The association between malnutrition and poor clinical outcome is well-established, yet most research has focussed on the role of artificial nutritional support in its management. More recently, emphasis has been placed on the provision of adequate nutritional care, including nutritional screening and the routine provision of food and drink. The aim of this literature review is to establish the evidence for the efficacy of interventions that might result in improvements in nutritional and clinical outcomes and costs.

METHODS

A structured literature review was conducted investigating the role of nutritional care interventions in adults, and their effects on nutritional and clinical outcomes and costs, in all healthcare settings. Ten databases were searched electronically using keywords relating to nutritional care, patient outcomes and healthcare costs. High quality trials were included where available.

RESULTS

Two hundred and ninety-seven papers were identified and reviewed. Of these, only two randomised, controlled trials and six other trials were identified that addressed the major issues. A further 99 addressed some aspects of the provision of nutritional care, although very few formally evaluated nutritional or clinical outcomes and costs.

CONCLUSIONS

This review reveals a serious lack of evidence to support interventions designed to improve nutritional care, in particular with reference to their effects on nutritional and clinical outcomes and costs. The review suggests that screening alone may be insufficient to achieve beneficial effects and thus more research is required to determine the most cost-effective interventions in each part of the nutritional care pathway, in a variety of healthcare settings and across all age ranges, to impact upon nutritional and clinical outcomes.

Adoption and maintenance of a Mediterranean diet in patients with coronary heart disease from a Northern European population: a pilot randomised trial of different methods of delivering Mediterranean diet advice

BACKGROUND

A Mediterranean diet has been shown to protect against coronary heart disease (CHD). Adherence to a Mediterranean diet can be assessed using a Mediterranean diet score. The primary aim of this pilot study was to examine whether CHD patients in a Northern European population would adopt and maintain a Mediterranean diet, with a secondary aim of comparing the effectiveness of different methodologies aimed at improving compliance.

METHODS

Sixty-one patients with a diagnosis of CHD were randomised to one of three groups: either to receive conventional dietetic advice for CHD or advice to implement a Mediterranean-style diet using either behavioural counselling or nutritional counselling. Patients received a follow-up assessment at 6 months (adoption) and a subset of patients was followed up at 12 months (maintenance). The primary outcome measure was the between-group difference in the mean change in Mediterranean diet score (MDS).

RESULTS

The change in MDS was not significantly different between groups. However, all three groups reported a significant within-group increase in MDS (P < 0.01) at 6 and 12 months follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

All three groups made dietary changes towards a Mediterranean diet, but behavioural counselling did not have significant additional benefit over nutritional counselling in initiating and maintaining dietary change, and neither method offering specific Mediterranean diet advice had any significant benefit in terms of improvement in MDS over conventional dietetic practice.