Nutrition Impact Symptoms Research Articles

Patient Mealtime Experience: Capturing Patient Perceptions Using a Novel Patient Mealtime Experience Tool.

The aim of this study is to describe the mealtime experience using the qualitative components of the Austin Health Patient Mealtime Experience Tool (AHPMET) to complement the quantitative findings of this tool. A multiphase, cross-sectional study was undertaken across all sites of Austin Health (Victoria, Australia) between March 2020 and November 2021. Patient mealtime experience was measured using the AHPMET. Descriptive statistics and a deductive thematic analysis approach described the patients' mealtime experiences. Questionnaire data were collected from 149 participants. Patients were most satisfied with staff interactions, and least satisfied with dimensions of food quality, specifically, flavour, presentation, and menu variety. Clinical symptoms, nutrition impact symptoms and the patient's position were barriers to consumption. Food quality was perceived as the poorest aspect of patient satisfaction with the hospital foodservice, particularly flavour, presentation, and menu variety. Future foodservice quality improvements must prioritise improving food quality to have the greatest impact on patient satisfaction. While clinical and organisational systems have a role in improving mealtime experience and oral intake, communicating patient perceptions of the mealtime experience is critical for responding to current perceptions of hospital food quality. Mealtime experience in the hospital has a significant impact on oral intake and patients' wider perception of hospital services. Questionnaires have been used to capture patient satisfaction with foodservice in the hospital; however, no comprehensive questionnaires including qualitative questions that capture the broader mealtime experience have been validated across different hospital settings. The tool developed through this study can be implemented in any acute and subacute health service to provide feedback and improve the mealtime experience of patients. This has the capacity to improve mealtime intake, mitigate malnutrition, and improve quality of life and patient outcomes.

Psychosocial Factors and the Need for Multidisciplinary Support in Nutrition Counselling for Cancer Chemotherapy Patients.

This study aims to identify the background factors and experiences of patients with cancer with eating-related problems who require nutrition counselling. Using a mixed-methods approach, this secondary analysis study was conducted on patients with head and neck, oesophageal, gastric, colorectal, or lung cancers who were receiving outpatient chemotherapy. They completed a questionnaire measuring nutrition impact symptoms, eating-related distress, and quality of life (QOL). Patients who required nutrition counselling were interviewed to identify the specific issues they experienced. We reported on nutritional status and nutrition impact symptoms in a previous study. Of the 151 participants, 42 required nutrition counselling. Background factors associated with nutrition counselling were related to the following psychosocial variables: small number of people in the household, undergoing treatment while working, low QOL, and eating-related distress. Four themes were extracted from the specific issues experienced by patients: motivation for self-management, distress from symptoms, seeking understanding and sympathy, and anxiety and confusion. The desire for nutrition counselling was attributable to 'anxiety caused by the symptoms' and 'confusion about the information on eating'. Healthcare professionals should promote multidisciplinary collaboration after considering the factors associated with the required nutrition counselling to provide nutritional support.

Nutrition impact symptoms in head and neck cancer during radiotherapy: a longitudinal study

Background Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) receiving radiotherapy (RT) are at a high risk of weight loss (WL) due to a variety of nutrition impact symptoms (NISs). Objective This prospective observational study aimed to investigate the consecutive changes of NIS during RT and analyzed its impact on body weight. Materials and methods The Head and Neck patient Symptom Checklist was adopted to evaluate NIS. NIS, body weight, hemoglobin and lymphocyte of 94 participants were assessed at four time points during RT and the treatment outcomes were assessed at the time of 12 months after the completion of RT. Generalised estimation equations (GEEs) and Kendall’s tau-b were used for statistical analysis. Results Our study found that pain, taste changes and dry mouth were the most common NIS, reported by >90% of patients and had higher interference scores (more than 85% >2) at the end of RT. The average WL was 4.22 ± 3.59 kg after treatment, and more than two-thirds of patients (67.02%, 64/94) experienced significant WL of >5%. Lack of energy, vomiting and taste changes impacted WL significantly (p < .05). Taste changes were also associated with hemoglobin and lymphocyte reduction (p = .018, p < .001). WL correlated negatively with tumor response (p = .031). Conclusions and significance In patients with HNC, taste changes, pain, dry mouth and vomiting were seen. Nutritional intervention applied as early as the first 10 days of RT could help to change the nutrition status and improve the clinical outcomes.

165 - The added value of screening for nutritional impact symptoms at the time of the new patient respiratory clinic for patients with suspected lung cancer

165 - The added value of screening for nutritional impact symptoms at the time of the new patient respiratory clinic for patients with suspected lung cancer

The roles of the dietitian in an 18-week telephone and mobile application nutrition intervention for upper gastrointestinal cancer: a qualitative analysis

PurposeThis study aimed to explore the patient-dietitian experience during an 18-week nutrition counselling intervention delivered using the telephone and a mobile application to people newly diagnosed with upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer to (1) elucidate the roles of the dietitian during intervention delivery and (2) explore unmet needs impacting nutritional intake.MethodsQualitative case study methodology was followed, whereby the case was the 18-week nutrition counselling intervention. Dietary counselling conversations and post-intervention interviews were inductively coded from six case participants which included fifty-one telephone conversations (17 h), 244 written messages, and four interviews. Data were coded inductively, and themes constructed. The coding framework was subsequently applied to all post-study interviews (n = 20) to explore unmet needs.ResultsThemes describing the roles of the dietitian were as follows: regular collaborative problem-solving to encourage empowerment, a reassuring care navigator including anticipatory guidance, and rapport building via psychosocial support. Psychosocial support included provision of empathy, reliable care provision, and delivery of positive perspective. Despite intensive counselling from the dietitian, nutrition impact symptom management was a core unmet need as it required intervention beyond the scope of practice for the dietitian.ConclusionDelivery of nutrition care via the telephone or an asynchronous mobile application to people with newly diagnosed UGI cancer required the dietitian to adopt a range of roles to influence nutritional intake: they empower people, act as care navigators, and provide psychosocial support. Limitations in dietitians’ scope of practice identified unmet patient’s needs in nutrition impact symptom management, which requires medication management.Trial registration27th January 2017 Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12617000152325).

Age, BMI, Nutritional Risk And Nutrition Impact Symptoms Are Related To 2-Months Mortality In Patients With Hematological Diseases At Herlev Hospital

Age, BMI, Nutritional Risk And Nutrition Impact Symptoms Are Related To 2-Months Mortality In Patients With Hematological Diseases At Herlev Hospital

Nutritional Impact Symptoms And Weight Loss After Esophageal And Gastric Cancer Surgery.

Nutritional Impact Symptoms And Weight Loss After Esophageal And Gastric Cancer Surgery.

Nutrition Impact Symptoms (NIS) In Patients With Head And Neck Cancer Refereed To A Clinical Dietitian

Nutrition Impact Symptoms (NIS) In Patients With Head And Neck Cancer Refereed To A Clinical Dietitian

Nutrition impact symptoms: Noteworthy prognostic indicators for lung cancer

Nutrition impact symptoms (NIS) in head and neck cancer are well-studied and are found to be heavy contributors of poor outcome. However, the prevalence and role of NIS in other cancer are less addressed. In this study, we investigated the incidence and prognostic role of NIS in patients with lung cancer. NIS, evaluated by patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) in a multicenter real-world prospective study, included loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, mouth ulcer, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, taste change, altered smell, dysphagia, early satiety, and pain. The endpoints were the patients' overall survival (OS) and quality of life (QoL). The COX analysis was used to investigate the relationship between NIS and OS. Interaction analysis and mediation analysis were performed to determine the modifiers and mediator. 3634 patients with lung cancer were enrolled in this study, of which 1533 patients had NIS. During the average follow-up of 22.65 months, 1875 deaths occurred. The OS of patients with lung cancer with NIS was lower than that of patients without NIS. NIS (HR, 1.181, 95% CI, 1.073-1.748), loss of appetite (HR, 1.266, 95% CI, 1.137-1.409), vomiting (HR, 1.282, 95% CI, 1.053-1.561), and dysphagia (HR, 1.401, 95% CI, 1.079-1.819) were independent prognostic factors in patients with lung cancer. There were interactions between chemotherapy and primary tumor on NIS . In the relationship between different types of NIS (NIS, loss of appetite, vomiting, dysphagia) and prognosis, the mediating effects of inflammation accounted for 15.76%, 16.49%, 26.32%, and 18.13%, respectively. Meanwhile, these three NIS were closely associated with the occurrence of severe malnutrition and cancer cachexia. 42% patients with lung cancer experienced different types of NIS. NIS were independent indicators of malnutrition, cancer cachexia and shorter OS, and closely related to QoL. NIS management is of clinical significance.

Impact of Dietary Counseling on Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Cancer Awaiting Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery

We examined the effectiveness of dietary counseling performed within a trimodal prehabilitation study for patients with cancer awaiting hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery. Additionally, we explored relationships between nutritional status and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The dietary intervention aimed to achieve a protein intake of 1.5 g/kg/day and reduce nutrition-impact symptoms. Patients received dietary counseling 4 weeks prior to surgery (prehabilitation group); the rehabilitation group just before surgery. We used 3-day food journals to calculate protein intake and the abridged Patient-generated Subjective Global Assessment questionnaire (aPG-SGA) to determine nutritional status. We utilized the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General questionnaire to measure HRQoL. Sixty-one patients participated in the study (30 = prehabilitation). Dietary counseling achieved a significant increase in preoperative protein intake (+0.3 ± 0.1 g/kg/day, P = 0.007), with no change in the rehabilitation group. Dietary counseling did not mitigate a significant increase in aPG-SGA postoperatively (prehabilitation: +5.8 ± 1.0; rehabilitation: +3.3 ± 1.0; P < 0.05). aPG-SGA was predictive of HRQoL (β = –1.77, P < 0.0001). HRQoL remained unchanged in both groups over the study period. Dietary counseling within a HPB prehabilitation program improves preoperative protein intake, but not aPG-SGA, which is predictive of HRQoL. Future studies should examine whether specialized medical management of nutrition-impact symptoms would improve HRQoL outcomes within a prehabilitation model.

Supporting people to manage nutrition throughout their cancer journey

Cancer and its associated treatments can result in a range of adverse symptoms which can affect a person’s ability to consume, digest and absorb food and fluids. These are collectively referred to as nutrition impact symptoms, and they can occur singularly or in combination at any stage of the cancer journey. If left unmanaged, nutrition impact symptoms can result in diminished nutritional intake, leading to malnutrition, cachexia and sarcopenia, which can result in suboptimal cancer treatment outcomes and reduced quality of life. Therefore, early recognition and management or alleviation of nutrition impact symptoms is crucial. This article explores nutrition impact symptoms and the dietary modifications that can be used to manage or alleviate these symptoms. It also discusses the role of the nurse in nutrition screening and assessment and in providing nutritional support interventions.

Predictive effect of pretreatment nutritional risk and GLIM-defined malnutrition on the nutrition impact symptom clusters in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy.

Evidence supporting predictive effects of pretreatment nutritional risk and nutritional status on nutrition impact symptom (NIS) clusters during radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) is insufficient. At baseline (T1 ), we collected severity and interference of NIS (Head and Neck Patient Symptom Checklist), nutritional risk, and nutritional status. During (T2 ) and at the end of radiotherapy (T3 ), we re-evaluated NIS. Symptom clusters were identified by exploratory factor analysis using mean scores of NIS severity at T2 and T3 . Predictive effects were explored by generalized estimating equations. Five hundred thirty-seven patients were recruited and 334 of them completed. Four clusters were identified; the oropharyngeal symptom cluster was the most severe and had the greatest interference with diet. Patients with pretreatment nutritional risk or malnutrition experienced more severe oropharyngeal symptom cluster. Pretreatment nutritional risk or malnutrition could predict the oropharyngeal symptom cluster in patients with HNC undergoing radiotherapy.

Sources of nutrition advice and desired nutrition guidance in oncology care: Patient's perspectives.

The present study aimed to describe the proportion of cancer patients and survivors who receive nutrition advice, the sources of that advice and to explore the nutrition advice this cohort would like to have received. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was completed by 211 cancer patients and survivors recruited through two hospitals in the North-West of Ireland. The survey consisted of open-ended and closed questions that aimed to explore the provision of and sources of nutrition advice and desired guidance in this cohort. Descriptive analysis was conducted using SPPS, while open-ended questions underwent thematic analysis. Respondents were mainly female (n = 133; 63%), aged 50-69 years old (n = 118; 56%), attending the outpatient department (n = 128; 60.7%) and < 5 years since diagnosis (n = 150; 71.7%). Breast (n = 69; 32.7%) was the most common cancer type. Respondents experienced a mean ± SD of 5 ± 3.1 nutrition impact symptoms. The most common was changes in taste/smell (n = 122; 57.8%). Although 53.6% (n = 113) reported being given advice, only 34.1% (n = 72) received this advice from a dietitian. The main sources of nutritional advice were friends and family. Respondents expressed their desire for nutrition advice from a dietitian and that this should be individualised, clear and practical. There was also a desire to avoid misinformation and uncertainty. The results of the present study can be used to help tailor nutrition support for this group. There is a need to ensure that patients and survivors consistently receive evidence-based advice tailored to their needs, cancer type and treatment stage.

Nutrition support practices across the care continuum in a single centre critical care unit during the first surge of the COVID-19 pandemic – A comparison of VV-ECMO and non-ECMO patients

Background & aimsCritically ill patients with COVID-19 are at high nutrition risk. This study aimed to describe the nutrition support practices in a single centre critical care unit during the initial surge of the COVID-19 pandemic. Practices were explored from ICU admission to post-ICU follow-up clinic and patients who received veno-venous extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) were compared to those who did not.MethodsThis retrospective observational study included COVID-19 positive, adult ICU patients who were mechanically ventilated for ≥72 hours. Data were collected from ICU admission until the time of post-ICU clinic. For in-ICU data, results are compared between patients who did and did not receive VV-ECMO.Results252 patients were included (VV-ECMO n = 58). Adequate energy and protein was delivered in 193 (76.6%) patients during their ICU admission with no differences between those who did and did not receive VV-ECMO (44 (75.9%) vs. 149 (76.8%)). Parenteral nutrition only being required in 12 (4.8%) patients. Following stepdown to the ward 77 (70%) patients required ongoing enteral nutrition support, and 74 (66.7%) required a texture modified diet or were NBM. Following hospital discharge, nearly a third of ICU survivors (28.4%) were referred for dietetic input. The most common referral reason was loss of weight. Breathlessness and fatigue were the most commonly reported nutrition impact symptoms experienced following hospital discharge.ConclusionResults show it is possible to reach nutritional adequacy for most patients and that neither VV-ECMO nor proning were barriers to nutritional adequacy. Nutritional issues for patients who were critically ill with COVID-19 persist following stepdown to ward level and into the community and strategies to manage this require further investigation.

Nutrition impact symptoms and the risk of malnutrition in people with Parkinson's disease: A cross-sectional study.

People with Parkinson's disease (PD) often experience symptoms that affect their ability to eat. This may contribute to weight loss and increased risk of malnutrition. The present study aimed to quantify the extent of nutrition impact symptoms (NIS) in the population and a scoring system of NIS was incorporated in the tool used to identify malnutrition. In this cross-sectional study, members of the Norwegian Parkinson's Association, with any PD diagnosis and stage of illness, were invited to respond to an online 24-item questionnaire. Questions from two validated questionnaires, comprising the abridged Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (aPG-SGA) and the Radboud Oral Motor Inventory for Parkinson's disease (ROMP), were adapted to an online format. The questionnaire was sent to 3047 members, of which 508 persons (17%) responded (61% men). In total, 59% were categorised as well-nourished, 34% at risk of malnutrition and 6.5% as malnourished. One quarter of all participants reported symptoms that affected food intake. The most frequent symptoms were constipation (14.2%) and dry mouth (13.4%). Malnourished participants reported a mean ± SD of 3.4 ± 1.4 symptoms versus 0.1 ± 0.3 per well-nourished participant. Malnourished participants had more swallowing problems than well-nourished participants, with a mean ± SD total ROMP score of 15.5 ± 6.0 versus 9.0 ± 2.9 (p < 0.001). As the number of points in the ROMP score increased by one, the points in the aPG-SGA score increased with 37% (95% confidence interval = 0.309-0.428). Risk of malnutrition was largely related to NIS, especially dysphagia in people with PD. Symptoms affecting food intake should be systematically mapped and treated in conjunction with PD to prevent malnutrition.

The weight loss grading system as a predictor of cancer cachexia in oesophageal cancer survivors

BackgroundOesophageal cancer survivorship is afflicted by cancer cachexia related weight loss and nutrition impact symptoms. Identifying the factors which predict cancer cachexia specifically is warranted in order to identify those at risk and render the right kind of support. We aimed to assess if preoperative and postoperative body mass index (BMI) adjusted weight loss grading system (WLGS) is predictive of cancer cachexia at one year after surgery for oesophageal cancer.MethodsData were used from a prospective nationwide cohort study on patients operated on for oesophageal cancer in Sweden between 2013 and 2018 included at one year after surgery. The study exposure is BMI adjusted weight loss graded into one of five distinct weight loss grades (grades 0–4), defined in accordance with the WLGS by combining BMI and percentage weight loss, assessed at two clinical time points: preoperative and at 6 months post-surgery for oesophageal cancer. The study outcome is subjective measures of cancer cachexia one year after surgery, assessed using the cancer-cachexia specific questionnaire EORTC QLQ-CAX24. Multivariable linear regression models calculated mean score differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) adjusted for predefined confounders. Statistical significance at p < 0.05 together with a clinically relevant difference of 10-points in mean scores was considered as a significant difference.ResultsAmong a total of 232 patients, the highest grade of preoperative WLGS 4 was associated with significantly worse physical decline than lower grades of WLGS 1 (MD -10, 95% CI: −20 to −1) and WLGS 2 (MD −11, 95% CI: −20 to −2). Those with preoperative WLGS 2, 3 and 4 reported lower scores on the adequacy of information on weight loss provided to them than those with preoperative WLGS 0. Those with the highest postoperative WLGS 4 had greater eating and weight loss worry than WLGS 2 (MD −17, 95% CI: −32 to −3) and WLGS 3 (MD −11, 95% CI: −21 to −2) and worse physical decline than WLGS 0 (MD −14, 95% CI: −25 to −2).ConclusionsHigher grades of both preoperative and postoperative WLGS are predictive of cancer cachexia related physical decline one year after surgery for oesophageal cancer. Additionally, preoperative and postoperative WLGS were also predictive of inadequate information concerning weight loss and more worry regarding eating and weight loss, respectively. The WLGS may be an effective risk prediction tool for postoperative cachexia related physical decline in patients undergoing treatment for oesophageal cancer emphasizing its usability in the clinical setting.

Nutrition Impact Symptom Clusters in a Cohort of Indigenous Australian Hemodialysis Patients: New Insights Into the Management of Malnutrition?

The objective of this study is to describe nutrition impact symptom clusters present in a large sample of indigenous hemodialysis patients. This study is a cross-sectional secondary analysis of data from a service audit conducted in 2016. All participants were hemodialysis patients from 2 satellite hemodialysis units in Central Australia. All participants completed a Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to identify nutrition impact symptom clusters. A total of 249 patients were included, representing 16% of all indigenous dialysis patients in Australia. Malnutrition was present in 29% of the sample. Five distinct nutrition impact symptom clusters were identified, accounting for 51.942% of the variance in symptoms. The 5 clusters extracted were the following: sore mouth (swallow problems, sore mouth, pain); nausea and vomiting (nausea, vomiting, taste changes); abnormal bowels (diarrhea, constipation, depression); anorexia (no appetite, early satiety); and dry mouth (dry mouth, dental problems). Malnourished patients experienced a significantly greater symptom burden in this study. This analysis extends the small evidence base about the nutrition impact symptom burden of indigenous hemodialysis patients. Understanding symptom clusters and how symptoms are connected may be useful for triaging care and managing malnutrition.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease outpatients bear risks of both unplanned weight loss and obesity.

Malnutrition is commonly seen in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and has been associated with negative outcomes. The objective of this study was to examine unintended weight loss (UWL) within three months, as a primary indicator for disease related malnutrition among COPD outpatients, to evaluate the prevalence of UWL, and to identify possible characteristics for UWL. A cross-sectional study including a patient questionnaire and medical record data extraction was made with all patients visiting a Danish COPD outpatient clinic. Among the 200 included patients (68.7±11.2 years of age), UWL was seen in 21.5%, with a median weight loss of 3.5 (2-16) kg. Underweight (BMI<18.5kg/m2) was recognized in 13.5%, while 34.5% were obese (BMI>30kg/m2). Reduced food intake (RFI) within the past week was experienced among 22.0% of the patients. The most common nutrition impact symptoms (NIS) were shortness of breath, reduced appetite and nausea. NIS, RFI and BMI<18.5kg/m2 were associated to UWL, while co-morbidities, hospitalization within three months and resent exacerbations showed no association to UWL. A high prevalence of UWL was found in COPD outpatients, and NIS and RFI as characteristics associated with UWL. Shortness of breath, reduced appetite and nausea were the most common NIS. This study found 13.5% of patients underweight, 23.5 overweight and 34.5% obese. Underweight as well as obesity may have negative consequences for the patient and the community.

The impact of cachexia on dietary intakes, symptoms, and quality of life in advanced cancer

AbstractBackgroundThe relationships between cachexia stages and the Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy Anorexia Cachexia Subscale (FAACT ACS) 12‐item, 5‐item anorexia symptoms, and 4‐item anorexia concerns have not been investigated in Asian patients with advanced cancer.MethodsThis is a multicentre questionnaire survey conducted in palliative and supportive care settings across Japan. Consecutive patients were enrolled. Patient characteristics and anthropometric measurements were obtained. Dietary intakes and nutrition impact symptoms were also assessed. Patients evaluated their quality of life (QOL) using FAACT ACS. Subjects were divided into two groups, that is, pre‐cachexia (non‐cachexia) and cachexia and refractory cachexia (cachexia), based on cancer cachexia criteria from the international consensus. Comparisons were performed using the Mann–Whitney U test or chi‐squared test. To evaluate the relationship between cachexia stages and FAACT ACS 12‐item, 5‐item anorexia symptoms, and 4‐item anorexia concerns, adjusted odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated in the logistic models.ResultsAmong 495 patients, 378 (76.4%) responded. Due to missing data, 344 patients were classified into the non‐cachexia group (n = 174) and cachexia group (n = 170), and 318 remained in the analysis of FAACT ACS. The cachexia group had a more impaired performance status, a lower body mass index, and a higher frequency of weight loss in 1 month (P = 0.021, &lt;0.001, and &lt;0.001, respectively). Advancing stages were associated with lack of appetite and reduced dietary intakes (P &lt; 0.001 and P &lt; 0.001, respectively). QOL scores were significantly worse in the cachexia group in FAACT ACS 12‐item, 5‐item anorexia symptoms, and 4‐item anorexia concerns (P &lt; 0.001, P = 0.001, and P &lt; 0.001, respectively). In the models of FAACT ACS 12‐item, 5‐item anorexia symptoms, and 4‐item anorexia concerns, significantly higher adjusted ORs than in the non‐cachexia group were observed in the cachexia group [2.24 (95% CI 1.34–3.77), P = 0.002; 1.77 (95% CI 1.08–2.92), P = 0.024; and 2.18 (95% CI 1.29–3.70), P = 0.004, respectively].ConclusionsFAACT ACS 12‐item, 5‐item anorexia symptoms, and 4‐item anorexia concerns are useful for identifying patients at risk of QOL that deteriorates with advancing stages in this population.

Addressing symptoms that affect patients’ eating according to the Head and Neck Patient Symptom Checklist©

PurposeThe purpose of this prospective study was to assess which nutritional impact symptoms (NIS) interfere with oral intake in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) and how the symptoms interfere with body weight loss, up to 1 year after treatment.MethodsThis was a prospective study of 197 patients with HNC planned for treatment with curative intention. Body weight was measured before the start of treatment, at 7 weeks after the start of treatment, and at 6 and 12 months after completion of treatment. NIS and NIS interfering with oral intake at each follow-up were examined with the Head and Neck Patient Symptom Checklist© (HNSC©).ResultsAt 7 weeks of follow-up, patients experienced the greatest symptom and interference burden, and 12 months after treatment the NIS scorings had not returned to baseline. One year after treatment, the highest scored NIS to interfere with oral intake was swallowing problems, chewing difficulties, and loss of appetite. At all 3 follow-ups, the total cumulative NIS and NIS interfering with oral intake were associated with body weight loss. Factors increasing the risk for a body weight loss of ≥ 10% at 12 months after treatment were pain, loss of appetite, feeling full, sore mouth, difficulty swallowing, taste changes, and dry mouth. Women scored higher than men in NIS and NIS interfering with oral intake. Furthermore, during the study period about half of the population had a body weight loss > 5%.ConclusionBecause both nutritional and clinical factors may affect body weight, this study highlights the importance of a holistic approach when addressing the patients’ nutritional issues.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03343236, date of registration: November 17, 2017.