Background:
Malnutrition occurs in 20-40% of head and neck cancer(HNC) patients at diagnosis. Poor nutritional status can impact treatment modality and outcomes. GLIM criteria defines malnutrition as one: 5-10% weight loss in 6months, BMI <20kg/m2, or low muscle mass; and one: <50% intake to requirements or disease burden/acute inflammation. Nutritional optimisation prior to surgery is important in wound healing and post-operative recovery. This study aims to assess the incidence of malnutrition at diagnosis and factors that impact nutrition prior to surgery.
Methods:
Data collection occurred on HNC patients who attended South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital for major surgery in 2023. Nutritional parameters including weight, BMI, weight loss, dysphagia and presence of PEG pre-operatively were collected.
Results:
34 patients were included. Median BMI on admission was 29kg/m2 (range 16kg/m2–40.3kg/m2). Median weight loss of 4.8% occurred preadmission. 6 patients had BMI 5% weight. As all patients had disease burden, this results in 14 patients diagnosed with malnutrition at admission for surgery in 2023. Factors that impact nutrition included: 12 patients had dysphagia and 5 patients had a PEG in-situ pre-operatively.
Conclusion:
Malnutrition is common in HNC patients who are undergoing major surgery. 41% of patients had diagnosed malnutrition at admission for surgery. Future consideration of multimodal prehabilitation programme with nutrition, exercise and psychological support would be beneficial.
Fionnuala Muldoon1
1 Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork