Perioperative enteral nutrition and quality of life of severely malnourished head and neck cancer patients: A randomized clinical trial

M. A.E. Van Bokhorst-De Van Der Schueren, S. I. Langendoen, H. Vondeling, D. J. Kuik, J. J. Quak, P. A.M. Van Leeuwen

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Abstract

Background and aims: This study evaluated the use of perioperative nutritional support on Quality of Life (QOL) in malnourished head and neck cancer patients undergoing surgery. Methods: 49 Malnourished (weight loss > 10%) head and neck cancer patients who were included in a nutrition intervention trial were randomized to receive either no preoperative and standard postoperative tube-feeding (group I), standard preoperative and postoperative tube-feeding (group II) or arginine-supplemented preoperative and postoperative tube-feeding (group III). Of these patients, 31 completed a full QOL assessment on the first day of preoperative nutritional support, one day before surgery, and 6 months after surgery. Both a disease-specific (EORTC QLQ-C30) and a generic questionnaire (COOP-WONCA) were used. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Kruskal-Wallis test were applied for testing differences in scores between groups. Results: Between baseline and the day before surgery, both preoperatively fed groups revealed a positive change for the dimensions physical and emotional functioning and dyspnea (with significance in group II, P = 0.050, 0.031, 0.045 respectively). Group III showed a negative change in appetite (P = 0.049). Between baseline and 6 months after surgery, there were no differences between group I and both pre-fed groups. There were no differences in favour of group III compared to group II. Conclusion: Enteral nutrition improves QOL of severely malnourished head and neck cancer patients in the period preceding surgery. No benefit of preoperative enteral feeding on QOL could be demonstrated 6 months after surgery. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)437-444
Number of pages8
JournalClinical Nutrition
Volume19
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2000

Keywords

  • Head and neck cancer
  • Malnutrition
  • Perioperative nutrition
  • Quality of life

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