Structured Review of the Value Added by the Registered Dietitian to the Care of Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients. (21st August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kenny, Erin; Touger‐Decker, Riva; August, David Allen
• Is Part Of: Nutrition in clinical practice. Volume 36:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 606
• Page End: 628
• Publication Date: 2020-08-21
• Subjects: gastrointestinal cancer -- malnutrition -- mortality -- nutrition therapy -- patient outcome assessment -- registered dietitian nutritionist; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Diet therapy -- Periodicals; Artificial feeding -- Periodicals; 615.854
• DOI: 10.1002/ncp.10568
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0884-5336

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Malnutrition is common among patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer and contributes to their morbidity and mortality. Nutrition interventions provided by a registered dietitian (RD) or dietitian may improve nutrition status and patient outcomes; however, there are few studies that attempt to define the contribution of the dietitian to these outcomes. Objective: Our objective was to identify the value added by the dietitian to the care of patients with GI malignancies. Methods: A structured review was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Medline, and ClinicalKey (all dates up to December 2019). Patients included those with GI malignancies undergoing cancer treatment and receiving intervention provided by an dietitian. Intervention included provision of medical nutrition therapy by an dietitian in the form of counseling, diet advice, oral nutritional supplementation, and enteral and/or parenteral nutrition–directed recommendations. Results: Ten relevant studies were identified and included for analysis. Studies suggest that nutrition counseling by a dietitian during cancer treatment results in improved weight maintenance and energy intake. Preoperative nutrition counseling and inpatient dietitian intervention seem to decrease length of stay after major surgery. Conclusions: We conclude that the dietitian, especially when providing nutrition counseling, improves the nutrition‐related outcomes of patients with GI malignancies. The small number of existent studies highlights the need for further research to define the impact of dietitian interventions and to determine which particular interventions best improve patient outcomes.