Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment Research Articles

Nutritional Assessment in Early Allogenic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients, a Cross-Sectional Study

Background Our study aims to comprehensively assess nutrition status and malnutritional prevalence in early allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) patients. Methods This single-center, cross-sectional study included 171 patients within the 90 days post-transplantation (from September 2019 to April 2020). Data collected included demographic, 3 day 24-h diet record, a Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) tool, laboratory tests, anthropometric indices, and body composition. Results One hundred and seventy-one patients with a mean age of 37.8 ± 11.3 and a male to female ratio of 102 to 69 were included. According to PG-SGA, 115 (67.3%) indicated the critical need for nutritional intervention and symptom management (PG-SGA score > 9). Forty-three (43.3%) of patients had experienced insufficient intakes of energy according to a 24-h diet record. Our study found that 120 (70.2%) patients had a body fat percentage and high triacylglycerol (64.9%). Reduced free fat mass index and low hand-grip strength were found in 133 (77.78%) and 104 (60.81%), respectively. The prevalence of malnutrition was 24.6% and the prevalence of sarcopenia was 13.5%. Conclusion Although the prevalence was not high, this research has demonstrated a high risk of malnutrition and a lower muscle mass in early allo-HSCT. Furthermore, our study confirmed body composition assessment would be an excellent way to identify malnutrition precisely.

The quality of life in nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy: A longitudinal study

ObjectiveThis article aims to longitudinally compare nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients' quality of life (QoL) during radiotherapy (RT) and identify QoL correlates. MethodsThis study included 98 patients, with 85 completing full follow-up. Data were collected at baseline (T1), midpoint of RT (T2), and RT completion (T3), between October 2021 and November 2022. QoL was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). RIOM severity was evaluated by the toxicity criteria of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG). The nutritional status was evaluated using the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002), body mass index (BMI), and the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). The generalized estimating equation described the QoL evolution and correlated it with RIOM, nutritional status, and other influential factors. ResultsSignificant deterioration was observed in various subscales of EORTC QLQ-C30 during RT, including global health status (GHS), physical function, role function, emotional function, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, pain, insomnia, appetite loss, and constipation (all P ​< ​0.05). Substantial deterioration was also observed in RIOM, nutritional status, and part of hematological indexes (all P ​< ​0.05). The decline of QoL was associated with gender, age, education level, chemotherapy regimen, Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score, RIOM severity, NRS 2002 score, PG-SGA score, and lymphocyte level (all P ​< ​0.05). ConclusionsQoL declined during RT and were associated with certain factors. Healthcare professionals should focus on alleviating treatment-related complications and identifying individuals at high risk of malnutrition early to improve outcomes for patients with NPC.

Elevation of preoperative serum hs-CRP is an independent risk factor for malnutrition in patients with gastric cancer.

Recent studies have reported hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) linked to clinicopathological characteristics and nutritional status of the tumor, but its clinical significance in GC remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between preoperative serum hs-CRP level and clinicopathological features and nutritional status in gastric cancer (GC) patients. The clinical data of 628 GC patients who met the study criteria were analyzed retrospectively. The preoperative serum hs-CRP level was divided into two groups (<1 mg/L and ≥1 mg/L) to evaluate clinical indicators. Nutritional Risk Screening and nutritional assessment of GC patients were performed by the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002) and the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), respectively. The data were subjected to chi-square test, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, respectively. The analysis of 628 GC cases revealed that 338 patients (53.8%) were on malnutrition risk(NRS2002≥3 points), and 526(83.8%) had suspected/moderate to severe malnutrition(PG-SGA≥ 2 points). Preoperative serum hs-CRP level was significantly correlated with age, tumor maximum diameter (TMD), peripheral nerve invasion (PNI), lymph-vascular invasion (LVI), depth of tumor invasion (DTI), lymph node metastasis (LNM), pTNM stage, body weight loss (BWL), body mass index (BMI), NRS2002 score, PG-SGA grade, hemoglobin (HB), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), prealbumin (PAB) and total lymphocyte count (TLC). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that hs-CRP (OR=1.814, 95%CI=1.174-2.803; P=0.007), age, ALB, BMI, BWL and TMD were independent risk factors for existing malnutritional risk in GC. Similarly, non-malnutrition and suspected/moderate to severe malnutrition groups presented that hs-CRP (OR=3.346, 95%CI=1.833-6.122; P< 0.001), age, HB, ALB, BMI and BWL were independent risk factors for malnutrition in GC. In addition to the generally used nutritional evaluation indicators such as age, ALB, BMI, and BWL, the hs-CRP level may be used as a nutritional screening and evaluation indicator for GC patients.

Complementarity of nutritional assessment tools to predict prolonged hospital stay and readmission in older patients with solid tumors: A secondary analysis of a cohort study

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the complementarity of five nutritional risk screening tools (Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 [NRS-2002], Malnutrition Screening Tool [MST], Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool [MUST], Mini-Nutritional Assessment-Short Form [MNA-SF], and Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment SF [PG-SGA SF]) combined with three malnutrition diagnostic tools (SGA, PG-SGA, and Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition [GLIM]) and their ability to predict poor clinical outcomes in older patients with cancer. MethodsUsing data collected within 48 h of hospital admission, we conducted a prospective cohort study on nutritional risk (NRS-2002, MST, MUST, MNA-SF, and PG-SGA SF) and the presence of malnutrition (SGA, PG-SGA, and GLIM). Patients were grouped according to their nutritional risk and malnutrition status. Accuracy tests and logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the ability of the combined tools to predict hospital length of stay and readmission. We evaluated 248 older patients (69.7 ± 7.2 y of age, 59.7% men; 27.4% with gastrointestinal tumors). The median length of stay was 4 d (3–9 d), and 65.3% of patients remained hospitalized for ≥ 4 d. ResultsThe NRS-2002 combined with SGA and MST combined with SGA and GLIM had the highest specificity (> 80%) for predicting hospitalization. Nutritional risk assessed by MNA-SF and malnutrition assessed by PG-SGA were associated with 2.48- and 6.04-fold increased likelihood of hospitalization (≥ 4 d) and readmission (60 d), respectively. ConclusionConcomitant application of MNA-SF (specific for older patients) with PG-SGA (specific for patients with cancer) might enhance the ability to predict length of stay and readmission in hospitalized older patients with solid tumors.

Advantages of nasogastric tube feeding during neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer: A retrospective study

ObjectiveTo compare the effects of oral intake and nasogastric tube (NG) feeding on nutritional status, complications and survival during neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients. MethodsA total of 61 ​ESCC cases treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy from December 2018 to March 2020 were enrolled, including (38 in oral intake group, and 22 in NG feeding group. Disease characteristics and baseline nutritional markers were collected in both groups. Nutritional status, complication and completion rate of chemoradiotherapy in both groups were evaluated. ResultsCompared with the oral intake group, patients in the NG feeding group had a later T stage (P ​= ​0.027) and clinical stage (P ​= ​0.014). The levels of energy intake (P ​= ​0.033), serum prealbumin (P ​< ​0.001), albumin (P ​= ​0.017) and hemoglobin (P ​= ​0.015) before treatment in NG group were significantly lower than those in oral intake group. Furthermore, patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) score (P ​= ​0.016) and the levels of serum C-reactive protein (P ​= ​0.014) of NG feeding group were significantly higher than those of oral intake group. However, at the end of treatment, PG-SGA scores were increased in oral intake group and decreased in NG feeding group. In addition, the NG feeding group had a lower incidence of grade ≥2 esophagitis (P ​= ​0.037), and higher completion rate of chemotherapy compared with oral intake group (P ​= ​0.034). Meanwhile, the proportion of parenteral nutrition (P ​= ​0.008) and anti-inflammatory (P ​= ​0.022) treatment in NG feeding group was significantly lower than that in oral intake group. Although patients in the NG feeding group had a worse prognosis, there were no statistically significant differences in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) between the two groups (P ​> ​0.05). ConclusionsAs a safe and effective enteral nutrition approach to improving nutrition, nasogastric tube feeding could increase treatment completion rate and reduce the incidence of ≥ grade 2 esophagitis reaction during neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

Nasogastric tube feeding improves nutritional status and physical state in esophageal cancer patients during chemoradiotherapy: a retrospective study

ObjectiveTo compare the complication rates, nutritional status, and physical state between esophageal cancer (EC) patients managed by nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding versus those managed by oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) during chemoradiotherapy.MethodsEC patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy managed by nonintravenous nutritional support in our institute were retrospectively recruited and divided into an NGT group and an ONS group based on the nutritional support method. The main outcomes, including complications, nutritional status, and physical state, were compared between groups.ResultsThe baseline characteristics of EC patients were comparable. There were no significant differences in the incidence of treatment interruption (13.04% vs. 14.71%, P = 0.82), death (2.17% vs. 0.00%, P = 0.84), or esophageal fistula (2.17% vs. 1.47%, P = 1.00) between the NGT group and ONS group. Body weight loss and decrease in albumin level were significantly lower in the NGT group than in the ONS group (both P < 0.05). EC patients in the NGT group had significantly lower Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002) and Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) scores and significantly higher Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scores than patients in the ONS group (all P < 0.05). The rates of grade > 2 esophagitis (10.00% vs. 27.59%, P = 0.03) and grade > 2 bone marrow suppression (10.00% vs. 32.76%, P = 0.01) were significantly lower in the NGT group than in the ONS group. There were no significant differences in the incidence of infection and upper gastrointestinal disorders or therapeutic efficacy between groups (all P > 0.05).ConclusionsEN through NGT feeding leads to significantly better nutritional status and physical state in EC patients during chemoradiotherapy than EN via ONS. NGT may also prevent myelosuppression and esophagitis..

Prognostic importance of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients—a hospital-based prospective cohort

Aim: In patients with cancer, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral vascular disease, the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a measure of systemic inflammation, has been demonstrated to predict mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the inflammatory status, and also examine the impact of NLR on renal outcomes (mortality and composite endpoints) in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Methods: This prospective cohort was conducted at a tertiary care public teaching hospital. The NLR greater than 3.53 was taken as an indication of systemic inflammation. The outcome measures include composite endpoints (end-stage renal disease, dialysis commencement, doubling serum creatinine from the baseline), and mortality. Kaplan-Meier plots and a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model were employed to analyze the outcomes. Results: A cohort of 360 patients aged 53.7 years ± 13.9 years had a median follow-up of 14 months ± 4.24 months and was evaluated for inflammatory status and renal outcomes. The proportion of inflammation was found to be 101 (28.7%). Higher NLR levels had shown an increased incidence of mortality (5.3%) and composite endpoints (12.3%). In reference to the NLR quartile (Q1), the highest quartile (Q4) had shown 3 times increased hazards for mortality and 95.0% increased risk of hazards for composite endpoints Q4 hazard ratio (HR) 3.09; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.38–6.91 (P = 0.006), and Q4 HR 1.93; 95% CI 1.22–3.08 (P = 0.005), respectively. Higher NLR was positively associated with urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, Pt-Global web tool©/Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment score and negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate, albumin, hemoglobin. Conclusions: NLR is a potential predictor of mortality and composite endpoints in CKD patients even before they undergo dialysis. Additionally, inflammation should be regarded as a common comorbid condition in CKD patients due to its high prevalence.

Performance of a simplified nutrition screening tool for outpatient radiotherapy cancer patients.

Public hospitals in Thailand recently adopted a new nutrition screening tool to satisfy documentation requirements for reimbursements through the diagnosis-related group system. However, data on the performance of this instrument remains limited. This study was designed to assess the validity and cutoff points of the Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition of Thailand (SPENT) nutrition screening tool against the patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) and malnutrition diagnostic criteria proposed by the global leadership initiative on malnutrition (GLIM) in cancer patients receiving outpatient radiation therapy. A cross-sectional study of 350 patients was conducted from August 2018 to September 2020. All patients were screened for malnutrition using the SPENT nutrition screening tool. The instrument's sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and agreement were calculated using either the PG-SGA or GLIM malnutrition diagnosis as benchmarks. The cutoff that gave the highest sensitivity and specificity of the SPENT nutrition screening tool was selected. The mean age standard deviation of the 350 cancer patients was 59.9 (13.9) years, and 191 (54.6%) were men. Head and neck cancers were the most common type (35.7%). Against PG-SGA and GLIM malnutrition diagnosis, the SPENT nutrition screening tool demonstrated good sensitivity (85.3% and 82.8%), specificity (84.1% and 59.4%), positive predictive value (90.5% and 64.0%), negative predictive value (76.3% and 79.9%), with moderate strength of agreement (Cohen kappa 0.678, P < .001 and 0.414, P < .001). Using only the first 2 out of 4 questions revealed an acceptable sensitivity and specificity. The SPENT nutrition screening tool is an accurate, sensitive, and specific tool for malnutrition screening in cancer patients receiving outpatient radiotherapy.

Effects of PEG in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma during concurrent chemoradiotherapy: a prospective study

This prospective study aimed to compare the changes in nutritional status and adverse events among patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who received enteral nutrition through oral intake, PEG, and an enteral nasogastric tube (NGT) during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Of 141 included patients, 38, 74, and 29 patients were fed through oral intake, PEG, and NGTs, respectively. The clinical characteristics and baseline nutritional status of the 3 groups were recorded and analyzed. The Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment score, skeletal muscle index, and quality of life were evaluated before and after CCRT; the incidence of adverse events during feeding using PEG and NGTs was also recorded. The correlations among the different nutritional pathways and the CCRT-related adverse events (eg, radiation esophagitis and myelosuppression) were assessed. At baseline, the oral intake group had a significantly better nutritional status and lower disease stage than those in the PEG and NGT groups. However, during CCRT, the oral intake group exhibited the most significant decreases in weight and skeletal muscle index. The synchronous chemotherapy completion rate was the highest in the PEG group. Multivariate analysis showed that the planning tumor volume and oral intake and NGT feeding pathways were associated with radiation esophagitis of at least grade2. We found that PEG effectively maintained the body weight and skeletal muscle index of patients with esophageal cancer during CCRT. PEG also improved the synchronous chemotherapy completion rate and reduced the occurrence of at least grade 2 radiation esophagitis. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT04199832.).

AIWW: a new nutrition-screening tool for the oncologic population.

Malnutrition is a common comorbidity among patients with cancer. However, no nutrition-screening tool has been recognized in this population. A quick and easy screening tool for nutrition with high sensitivity and easy-to-use is needed. Based on the previous 25 nutrition-screening tools, the Delphi method was made by the members of the Chinese Society of Nutritional Oncology to choose the most useful item from each category. According to these results, we built a nutrition-screening tool named age, intake, weight, and walking (AIWW). Malnutrition was defined based on the scored patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA). Concurrent validity was evaluated using the Kendall tau coefficient and kappa consistency between the malnutrition risks of AIWW, nutritional risk screening 2002 (NRS-2002), and malnutrition screening tool (MST). Clinical benefit was calculated by the decision curve analysis (DCA), integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), and continuous net reclassification improvement (cNRI). A total of 11,360 patients (male, n=6,024 (53.0%) were included in the final study cohort, and 6,363 patients had malnutrition based on PG-SGA. Based on AIWW, NRS-2002, and MST, 7,545, 3,469, and 1,840 patients were at risk of malnutrition, respectively. The sensitivities of AIWW, NRS-2002, and MST risks were 0.910, 0.531, and 0.285, and the specificities were 0.768, 0.946, and 0.975. The Kendall tau coefficients of AIWW, NRS-2002, and MST risks were 0.588, 0.501, and 0.326, respectively. The area under the curve of AIWW, NRS-2002, and MST risks were 0.785, 0.739, and 0.630, respectively. The IDI, cNRI, and DCA showed that AIWW is non-inferior to NRS-2002 (IDI: 0.002 (-0.009, 0.013), cNRI: -0.015 (-0.049, 0.020)). AIWW scores can also predict the survival of patients with cancer. The missed diagnosis rates of AIWW, NRS-2002, and MST were 0.09%, 49.0%, and 73.2%, respectively. AIWW showed a better nutrition-screening effect than NRS-2002 and MST for patients with cancer and could be recommended as an alternative nutrition-screening tool for this population.

Clinical usefulness of the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment and modified Glasgow Prognostic Score in decision making concerning the indication of enteral nutritional therapy in patients with incurable cancer receiving palliative care

ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify the clinical usefulness of assessing nutritional status using validated tools for the indication of enteral nutrition for patients with incurable cancer in palliative care. MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, patients were assessed for nutritional risk using the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment and for cancer cachexia (CC) using the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score upon enrollment and after ∼30 d. The outcome was stable or improved Karnofsky Performance Status. Logistic regression models were used, providing the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). ResultsA total of 180 patients participated. The only nutritional status parameter that was associated with function was CC. The less severe the CC, the more likely Karnofsky Performance Status was to remain stable or improve over 30 d (non-cachectic: OR = 1.95; 95% CI, 1.01–3.47; malnourished: OR = 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01–1.42). Furthermore, white skin color (OR = 1.79; 95% CI, 1.04–2.47), higher educational level (OR = 1.39; 95% CI, 1.13–2.78), and inadequate calorie intake (OR = 1.96; 95% CI, 1.02–2.81) were also associated with the outcome. ConclusionsUsing the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score to identify the existence and severity of CC, which is associated with function, has the potential to help clinical decision making concerning the indication of enteral nutrition in patients with incurable cancer receiving palliative care.

Exploring oral health indicators, oral health-related quality of life and nutritional aspects in 23 medicated patients from a short-term psychiatric ward.

Patients suffering from psychiatric disorders face many difficulties due to their condition, medications and lifestyle. Oral health and nutrition may be affected, further complicating their lives. Our aim was to provide in-depth information on oral health and nutritional factors in a small group of patients in short-term psychiatric ward. Twenty-three patients (mean age 36, average medications five) were recruited during short-term hospitalization in a psychiatric ward. Inclusion criteria: anxiety, psychosis and/or depression, and use of at least one antidepressant or anxiolytic/antipsychotic drug with xerostomia as a known side effect. Subjective oral dryness was evaluated using the Shortened Xerostomia Inventory (SXI). Oral examination included Clinical Oral Dryness Score (CODS), secretion of unstimulated (UWS) and stimulated whole saliva (SWS), and evaluation of dental, gingival, and periodontal status. Self-reported complaints of oral disorders were recorded. The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) was used to explore oral health-related quality of life. Nutritional status was assessed using the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment Short Form (PG-SGA-SF), and diet quality was assessed using the Mediterranean diet score (KIDMED). Compared to healthy controls, the patients had significantly higher SXI scores and CODS, and SWS secretion was lower. Complaints of dysgeusia and halitosis were significantly more frequent among patients. Gingivitis was more common in patients. OHIP-14 scores were much higher in the patients, and they reported significantly poorer oral and general health. Most patients lacked a regular meal pattern. Very low diet quality was observed in five patients, while improvements were needed in twelve. "Dry mouth" and "No appetite, just did not feel like eating" were the most common symptoms preventing patients from eating enough. The PG-SGA-SF symptoms component score showed a strong negative correlation with self-reported oral health, and a strong positive correlation with OHIP-14. This relatively small group of patients in short-term psychiatric ward had both reduced oral health and poor oral health-related quality of life. Furthermore, their nutritional intake was affected by their oral health problems. Although larger groups need to be studied, these findings indicate that oral health and nutrition should be evaluated and adjusted in these patients to improve their overall care.

Linguistic and content validation of the translated and culturally adapted patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA)

After the translation and cultural adaptation of the original PG-SGA for the Italian setting, the patient component (i.e., PG-SGA Short Form (SF) was tested for linguistic validity (i.e., comprehensibility ad difficulty) in 120 Italian patients with cancer and 81 Italian HCPs. The full PG-SGA, i.e., patient and professional component of the PG-SGA, was tested for content validity, i.e., relevance, in 81 Italian HCPs. The data were collected by a questionnaire and evaluations were operationalized by a 4-point scale. Through item and scale indices we evaluated the comprehensibility (I-CI, S-CI), difficulty (I-DI, S-DI) and content validity (I-CVI, S-CVI). Scale indices 0.80-0.89 were considered acceptable, and scale indices ≥0.90 were considered excellent. Patients perceived comprehensibility and difficulty of the PG-SGA SF (Boxes) as excellent (S-CI=0.98, S-DI=0.96). Professionals perceived comprehensibility of the professional component (Worksheets) as excellent (S-CI=0.92), difficulty as acceptable (S-DI=0.85), and content validity of the full PG-SGA as excellent (S-CVI=0.92). Dietitians gave higher scores (indicating better scores) on comprehensibility, difficulty, and content validity of Worksheet 4 (physical exam) than the other professions. In Worksheet 4, four items were considered most difficult to complete and were considered below acceptable range. Relevance was perceived as excellent by professionals for both the patient component (S-CVI=0.93) and the professional component (S-CVI=0.90), resulting in S-CVI=0.92 for the full PG-SGA. Slight textual modifications were implemented resulting in the final version of the Italian PG-SGA. Translation and cultural adaptation of the original PG-SGA resulted in the Italian version of the PG-SGA that maintained its original purpose and meaning and can be completed adequately and easily by patients and professionals. The Italian PG-SGA is considered relevant for screening, assessing and monitoring malnutrition and risk factors, as well as triaging for interventions by Italian HCPs.

The Effect of an Educational-Supportive Intervention on the Perceived Stress and Nutritional Status of Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Background: Managing stress and improving the nutritional status of cancer patients can lead to better physical and mental conditions, more desirable treatment outcomes, and improved feelings and engagement in the treatment process. Objectives: This study sought to examine the effect of an educational-supportive intervention on the perceived stress and nutritional status of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 80 women with breast cancer admitted to Khatam Al-Anbia (PBUH) and Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS) hospitals affiliated with Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in 2022. Participants were selected using convenience sampling and randomly divided into 2 intervention and control groups. In the intervention group, participants attended 4 training sessions focusing on the patients’ common problems, proper nutrition, and prescribed treatment. The training session was performed at the patient’s bedside and lasted 45 - 60 minutes. In the control group, patients received no intervention except for hospital routine training. Data were collected from both groups before and 6 weeks after the intervention using the Perceived Stress Scale and patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 using the paired-samples t test, independent samples t test, and chi-square test. Data analysis was performed at a significance level of less than 0.05 (P &lt; 0.05). Results: The mean perceived stress scores were changed from 52.250 ± 2.284 to 32.125 ± 7.390 in the intervention group and 51.475 ± 2.773 to 48.425 ± 2.011 in the control group. The mean perceived stress scores were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (P &lt; 0.001). Moreover, the mean scores of the nutritional status were changed from 7.005 ± 41.40 to 1.94 ± 19.95 in the intervention group and 7.561 ± 40.58 to 5.177 ± 49.65 in the control group. The mean nutritional status scores were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (P &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: Given the positive effect of the educational-supportive intervention on reducing stress and improving nutritional status, these interventions can be incorporated into training and care programs to improve nutritional status and reduce stress in patients with breast cancer.

Assessment of nutritional status using objective and subjective methods in Greek patients with cancer

Summary Purpose Malnutrition constitutes an important complication of cancer. Nutritional status is associated with the progression of malignant neoplasms. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of patients with cancer using objective and subjective assessment methods. Materials and methods The following validated questionnaires were used to assess the nutritional status of 152 patients with cancer recruited in Attica, Greece: Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), Nutritional Risk Screening-2002 (NRS-2002), Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ). Geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) was calculated, handgrip strength (HGS) test was carried out, and the arm circumference (MUAC) and triceps skinfold thickness (TSF) were measured. Results Based on the PG-SGA assessment, 54.9% of the individuals were severely malnourished. Imminent risk was observed in 83.6% (NRS-2002) and 48.7% of participants were at increased risk of a 5% reduction in body weight within the next 6‑months (SNAQ). Severely malnourished patients experienced significant weight reduction in the 6 months prior to recruitment and had lower HGS and TSF. MUAC was similar within the PG-SGA categories. High risk for malnutrition was estimated for geriatric patients (GNRI: 46.45 [IQR: 5.17]). Malnourishment, based on PG-SGA, was positively associated with percent weight loss within the past 6 months and negatively associated with body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin (Hgb), HGS, and MUAC (all p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion The present study highlighted a high risk of malnutrition in patients with cancer. Poor nutritional status was positively associated with weight loss, Hgb, and MUAC and negatively associated with BMI, HGS, and TSF.

Nutritional assessment in critical care: comparing the modified nutrition risk in critically ill score (MNUTRIC) with the patient-generated subjective global assessment (PGSGA) in mechanically ventilated critical care patients

Nutritional assessment in critical care: comparing the modified nutrition risk in critically ill score (MNUTRIC) with the patient-generated subjective global assessment (PGSGA) in mechanically ventilated critical care patients

Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment Ability To Detect The Impairment Of Nutritional Status And Body Composition: Application In Chronic Kidney Disease.

Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment Ability To Detect The Impairment Of Nutritional Status And Body Composition: Application In Chronic Kidney Disease.

Lipocalin-2 and neutrophil activation in pancreatic cancer cachexia.

Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by body weight loss and systemic inflammation. The characterization of the inflammatory response in patients with cachexia is still limited. Lipocalin-2, a protein abundant in neutrophils, has recently been implicated in appetite suppression in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer cachexia. We hypothesized that lipocalin-2 levels could be associated with neutrophil activation and nutritional status of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients. Plasma levels of neutrophil activation markers calprotectin, myeloperoxidase, elastase, and bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) were compared between non-cachectic PDAC patients (n=13) and cachectic PDAC patients with high (≥26.9 ng/mL, n=34) or low (<26.9 ng/mL, n=34) circulating lipocalin-2 levels. Patients' nutritional status was assessed by the patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) and through body composition analysis using CT-scan slices at the L3 level. Circulating lipocalin-2 levels did not differ between cachectic and non-cachectic PDAC patients (median 26.7 (IQR 19.7-34.8) vs. 24.8 (16.6-29.4) ng/mL, p=0.141). Cachectic patients with high systemic lipocalin-2 levels had higher concentrations of calprotectin, myeloperoxidase, and elastase than non-cachectic patients or cachectic patients with low lipocalin-2 levels (calprotectin: 542.3 (355.8-724.9) vs. 457.5 (213.3-606.9), p=0.448 vs. 366.5 (294.5-478.5) ng/mL, p=0.009; myeloperoxidase: 30.3 (22.1-37.9) vs. 16.3 (12.0-27.5), p=0.021 vs. 20.2 (15.0-29.2) ng/mL, p=0.011; elastase: 137.1 (90.8-253.2) vs. 97.2 (28.8-215.7), p=0.410 vs. 95.0 (72.2-113.6) ng/mL, p=0.006; respectively). The CRP/albumin ratio was also higher in cachectic patients with high lipocalin-2 levels (2.3 (1.3-6.0) as compared to non-cachectic patients (1.0 (0.7-4.2), p=0.041). Lipocalin-2 concentrations correlated with those of calprotectin (rs =0.36, p<0.001), myeloperoxidase (rs =0.48, p<0.001), elastase (rs =0.50, p<0.001), and BPI (rs =0.22, p=0.048). Whereas no significant correlations with weight loss, BMI, or L3 skeletal muscle index were observed, lipocalin-2 concentrations were associated with subcutaneous adipose tissue index (rs =-0.25, p=0.034). Moreover, lipocalin-2 tended to be elevated in severely malnourished patients compared with well-nourished patients (27.2 (20.3-37.2) vs. 19.9 (13.4-26.4) ng/mL, p=0.058). These data suggest that lipocalin-2 levels are associated with neutrophil activation in patients with pancreatic cancer cachexia and that it may contribute to their poor nutritional status.

Is virtual nutritional counseling efficacious for cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic?

This study investigates the outcomes of virtual nutritional counseling (VNC) for oncology patients during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our study evaluated the nutritional status data of cancer patients at the baseline and after VNC. An oncology dietitian evaluated the patients by video calling each patient via WhatsApp and sent an individual nutrition diet plan and recommendations via e-mail. Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) was used as a screening and evaluation tool to assess nutritional status. A total of 157 patients with a mean age of 55.8 ± 14.7 (r = 19–89) were included in the study. Researchers detected at least one nutrition-related sign in 77.7% of patients. After the VNC and based on the final PG-SGA assessments, 62.2% of the patients whose baseline PG-SGA Score-B improved to Score-A, 12.5% with a baseline PG-SGA Score-C improved to Score-A and 54.2% with a baseline Score-C improved to a Score-B (χ2 = 55,000, P < 0.001). Based on the number of VNCs, the improvement in malnutrition status following two sessions and three or more sessions was found to be 17.6% and 35.7%, respectively (P < 0.001). Our results confirm that VNC can improve the nutritional status of cancer patients. Hence, nutritional counseling should be an integral part of oncological treatment.

Cancer patients with COVID-19: does prior nutritional risk associated with cancer indicate a poor prognosis for COVID-19?

To verify whether the presence of related nutritional risk indicators prior to COVID-19 diagnosis is associated with poor survival in patients with cancer. We retrospectively analyzed the data of hospitalized cancer patients who tested positive for COVID-19 between March 2020 and February 2021. Nutritional risk was defined as the presence of one of the following characteristics: body mass index <20kg/m 2 , scored Patient-generated Subjective Global Assessment ≥9 points or classification B, albumin level <3.5g/dL, and C-reactive protein level ≥10mg/L, evaluated between 7 and 60 days prior to the date of patient inclusion. The endpoint measure was all-cause mortality within 30 days of COVID-19 diagnosis. A total of 253 patients were included, most of whom were elderly (62.4%) and female (63.6%). Overall, 45.4% of the patients were at nutritional risk. Survival was significantly lower in patients at nutritional risk (8 days; interquartile range [IQR]: 3-29) than in patients not at nutritional risk (16 days; IQR: 6-30) (p<0.001). The presence of prior nutritional risk was associated with increased 30-day mortality (HR: 1.42; 95%CI: 1.03-1.94), regardless of age, gender, tumor site or stage, and other risk factors, and the model had good discrimination accuracy (concordance statistic: 0.744). The presence of prior nutritional risk indicators is related to poor prognosis in patients with cancer and COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of nutritional care, notably during this pandemic.