Exploring Individual Nutrition Care Elements and Nutritional Evaluation Methods Within Dietetic Practice in Cancer Care

Launched by UPPSALA UNIVERSITY · Jul 28, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how dietitians can provide personalized nutrition care for cancer patients who may be facing malnutrition. The goal is to understand how dietitians help patients set goals for their nutrition, use techniques to change eating habits, and assess changes in muscle mass using calf circumference measurements. The researchers will listen to conversations between dietitians and patients to learn more about these strategies. In the second part of the study, 100 cancer patients will be involved to gather important information about their weight, height, muscle mass, and food intake, as well as how their nutritional treatment affects their quality of life.

To participate, you need to be at least 18 years old and have a cancer diagnosis. You should also be at risk of malnutrition or already experiencing it, as determined by specific hospital criteria related to your weight and eating habits. If you join, you will have your initial meeting with a dietitian, and your progress will be monitored. However, if you have cognitive issues or are not proficient in Swedish, you may not be eligible for the study. This trial aims to improve nutrition support for cancer patients, helping them maintain a better quality of life during their treatment.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• Inclusion criteria for the first part of the project involve encountering dietitians treating patients with cancer who have malnutrition or are at risk of malnutrition. For these patients, the inclusion criteria are as follows:
• • aged ≥18 years with a diagnosed cancer
• • ongoing nutrition therapy by a dietitian
• • malnutrition or risk of malnutrition according to the hospitals criteria where at least one of the following criteria must be met: low BMI, involuntary weight loss, and/or eating difficulties. Patients can also be included if they are referred to a dietitian based on treatment guidelines due to a high risk of malnutrition associated with the cancer diagnosis or its medical therapy.
• For the second part of the project, the inclusion criteria are:
• • aged ≥18 years with a diagnosed cancer
• • undergoing or planned treatment, including surgical, oncological, or a combination of these
• • have been referred to a dietitian but have not yet had their initial contact with the dietitian, and
• • malnutrition or risk of malnutrition according to the hospital's criteria, where at least one of the following criteria must be met: low BMI, involuntary weight loss, and/or eating difficulties. Patients can also be included if they are referred to a dietitian based on treatment guidelines due to a high risk of malnutrition associated with the cancer diagnosis or its medical therapy.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• For the first part of the project, the exclusion criteria regarding patients are:
• • known dementia or impaired cognitive function, and
• • not proficient in spoken and written Swedish.
• For the second part of the project, the exclusion criteria are:
• • known dementia or impaired cognitive function,
• • ongoing nutrition therapy by a dietitian at inclusion, and
• • not proficient in spoken and written Swedish.