Nutritional Status and Quality of Life in Hospitalised Cancer Patients Who Develop Intestinal Failure and Require Parenteral Nutrition: An Observational Study

Contribution of non-socioeconomic factors to healthy quality of life in socioeconomically deprived patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer: Measuring attributable fraction

BACKGROUND

The quality of life of patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer is seriously impaired, and socioeconomic deprivation often has a serious impact on their quality of life. However, little is known about the relative contribution of non-socioeconomic factors to the quality of life of patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer with socioeconomic deprivation.

AIM

This study aims to investigate the situation and predictors of quality of life of patients with socioeconomic deprivation and evaluate the independent effects of some non-socioeconomic factors.

DESIGN

A retrospective study based on cross-sectional design.

METHODS

Data were obtained from 1075 patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer who received family palliative treatment in the hospice ward of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from March 2010 to October 2020, including demographic and clinical questionnaires, Karnofsky Performance Status scale and Cancer Pain and Quality of Life Questionnaire of Chinese Cancer Patients.

RESULTS

The quality of life of patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer with socioeconomic deprivation is impaired and is affected by gait, self-care ability, abdominal distension, nutritional status, weight loss, constipation and posture. Improvement in six of these factors-gait, self-care ability, abdominal distension, nutritional status, weight loss and posture-has an independent positive impact on the development of a healthy quality of life for patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Gait, self-care ability, abdominal distension, nutritional status, weight loss and posture are important determinants of healthy quality of life in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer with socioeconomic deprivation, and early identification and strength management of these non-socioeconomic factors may neutralize the negative impact of socioeconomic factors on the quality of life.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

This study provides new ideas and intervention entry points for global nurses in practice innovations to improve the quality of life of socioeconomically deprived patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer. It enables them to focus on the effectiveness of non-socioeconomic factors in the development and implementation of targeted care plans for patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer experiencing socioeconomic deprivation globally.

REPORTING METHOD

This study was reported in strict compliance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guideline.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution.

Promoting wound recovery through stable intestinal flora: Reducing post-operative complications in colorectal cancer surgery patients

In recent years, the relationship between intestinal flora and post-operative recovery, particularly in colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery patients, it has been hypothesized that intestinal flora stability influences wound healing, reduces complications and improves overall recovery outcomes after surgical interventions. This study examined the relationship between intestinal flora stability and post-operative recovery in patients undergoing CRC surgery. Between May 2020 and 2023, 80 CRC patients from our hospital's Colorectal Surgery Department were enrolled. A random number table was used to divide them into two categories. Both groups were subjected to distinct gastrointestinal preparation protocols. Indicators of clinical therapeutic effect, intestinal flora balance following surgery, post-operative complications and quality of life were evaluated. The observation group, which adhered to a distinct gastrointestinal regimen, demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in post-operative outcomes, with a clinical effectiveness rate of 97.5% compared to the control group's 75%. In addition, the observation group had a lower incidence of intestinal flora imbalance following surgery than the control group. The observation group had lower incidences of intestinal obstruction, infection, anastomotic leakage, incisional tumour implantation and delayed diarrhoea. Using the KPS score and the BMI, post-treatment assessments of the observation group's quality of life revealed significant enhancements in comparison to the control group. Additionally, wound healing rates were superior in the observation group, with a correlation between stable intestinal flora and decreased wound infection rates. The type of post-operative diet influenced the stabilization of the gut flora, with a high-fibre diet producing superior results in both groups. The stability of intestinal flora influences the post-operative rehabilitation of patients undergoing CRC surgery favourably. Appropriate bowel preparation and dietary considerations can reduce post-operative complications, improve wound healing rates and enhance overall quality of life.

Effect of malnutrition and nutritional support to reduce infections in elderly hospitalized patients with cancer: A multicenter survey in China

OBJECTIVES

Malnutrition is common among elderly patients with cancer, and greatly affects patients' quality of life. Malnutrition is a key factor in the development of systemic, chronic, low-grade inflammation that can exacerbate.

METHODS

A total of 633 elderly patients with cancer from 29 tertiary public hospitals in 14 cities in China were selected as the research subjects. Physical examination, questionnaire survey, medical history collection, and blood index detection were performed on the research subjects to analyze the relationship between malnutrition, nutritional support, and infection status.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in infection rate among elderly hospitalized patients with cancer and different cancer types, cancer stages, or therapy methods (P > 0.05). The proportion of vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, and physical fatigue in patients with good nutritional status were lower than in patients with moderate or severe malnutrition (P < 0.05). Nutritional support is crucial for the nutritional status of elderly patients with cancer, and patients without special nutritional guidance are more likely to develop infection (P < 0.05). After adjusting for confounding variables, the results of the logistic regression analysis showed that oral nutritional supplements (odds ratio [OR]: 0.088; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.015-0.514), parenteral nutrition (OR: 0.091; 95% CI, 0.011-0.758), and individualized nutritional guidance (OR: 0.026; 95% CI, 0.003-0.202) were all protective factors associated with cancer infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Many elderly hospitalized patients with cancer have local or systemic infections, and good nutrition is associated with lower rates of infection. Receiving nutritional guidance or support is associated with lower infection rates in elderly patients with cancer.

Nutritional Interventions during Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review of Prospective Studies

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic cancer incidence is growing, but the prognosis for survival is still poor. Patients with pancreatic cancer often suffer from malnutrition and sarcopenia, two clinical conditions that negatively impact oncological clinical outcomes. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the impact of different nutritional interventions on clinical outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer during chemotherapy.

METHODS

A systematic review of MedLine, EMBASE, and Web of Science was carried out in December 2022, identifying 5704 articles. Titles and abstracts of all records were screened for eligibility based on inclusion criteria, and nine articles were included.

RESULTS

All nine articles included were prospective studies, but a meta-analysis could not be performed due to heterogenicity in nutritional intervention. This Systematic Review shows an improvement in Quality of Life, nutritional status, body composition, oral intake, and Karnofsky Performance Status, following nutritional interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

This Systematic Review in pancreatic cancer patients during chemotherapies does not allow one to draw firm conclusions. However, nutritional support in pancreatic cancer patients is advisable to ameliorate oncological care. Further well-designed prospective studies are needed to identify nutritional support's real impact and to establish a reliable way to improve nutritional status of pancreatic cancer patients during chemotherapy.