Food Intake and Quality of Life in Cancer Patients

Abstract

Protein-energy malnutrition is of considerable importance in the clinical management of the cancer patient when it may be associated with a poor prognosis, a reduced response to therapy, an increased risk of therapeutic side-eflects and a reduced quality of life (QL). This paper reports the findings of three studies designed to evaluate food intake in hospitalized cancer patients and to investigate the relationship between total food consumption and the patient's QL. The findings indicate firstly that data provided through 24 h dietary recall bear little relationship to those obtained by direct weighing. The second study shows that three-day weighed intakes provide accurate data but are time-intensive, intrusive and disruptive to normal food distribution practices. The results suggest, however, that food consumption in hospitalized cancer patients is generally inadequate and, finally, that it is closely linked to QL although no clear cause and eflect relationship is demonstrated. Further research is clearly needed.

The feeding of patients in hospital: a review

“…These include the suitability and acceptability of food, the position of the food delivered to the patient and the position of the patient when the food is delivered. Other patient factors include loss of taste, which is a troublesome problem in cancer patients either as a consequence of the disease or of its treatment (Holmes and Dickerson, 1991). Elderly patients may be suffering from multiple pathology and be taking a number of drugs which cause varying degrees of anorexia (Dickerson, 1993).…”