Inflammatory and Nutritional Biomarkers in Patients With Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between pretreatment inflammatory and nutritional biomarkers in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy (nCRT). SAMPLE & SETTING: 213 patients with newly diagnosed stage II-III ESCC who received nCRT at an academic hospital in Taiwan. METHODS & VARIABLES: Electronic health record data were used. Records on inflammatory and nutritional biomarkers and clinical outcomes were extracted. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict treatment-related adverse events, Cox regression was used for survival outcomes, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine optimal cutoff values. RESULTS: There was a significant association between low prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and nCRT toxicities and survival. Advanced cancer stage, high platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and occurrence of pneumonia/infection were linked to survival outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: PNI shows promise in predicting prognosis, helps identify high-risk patients, and enables nurses to apply tailored interventions.

Investigating sarcopenia, physical activity, and inflammation biomarkers in newly diagnosed oral cancer patients during curative treatment: A prospective longitudinal study.

Objective: This prospective longitudinal study aimed to investigate changes in sarcopenia, physical activity, and inflammation biomarkers in patients with oral cavity cancer during curative treatment and explore their association with treatment outcomes. Methods: Patients newly diagnosed with oral cavity cancer who underwent primary surgery with (chemo)radiation therapy were included. Along with physical activity and inflammatory markers, sarcopenia was assessed using a 5-time chair stand test, hand grip strength, and skeletal muscle index (SMI). Data were collected before operation and after 3 months (T2) and 6 months after operation. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify predictors of treatment outcomes. Results: Out of 56 patients, 21 (37.5%) had sarcopenia. SMI score, physical activity, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) showed significant changes after surgery, with exacerbation at T2. Patients with sarcopenia exhibited a significant decrease in SMI scores at T2. Advanced cancer stage and sarcopenia were associated with treatment-related dysphagia (odds ratio [OR] â€‹= â€‹3.01, P â€‹= â€‹0.034; OR â€‹= â€‹7.62, P â€‹= â€‹0.018). Sarcopenia (OR â€‹= â€‹3.02, P â€‹= â€‹0.002) and NLR (OR â€‹= â€‹5.38, P â€‹< â€‹0.001) were significantly associated with infections. Pretreatment SMI independently predicted poor survival outcomes (hazard ratio â€‹= â€‹7.00, P â€‹= â€‹0.005). Conclusions: Identifying patients with oral cavity cancer, sarcopenia, and high NLR levels can ensure prompt education and vigilant monitoring, potentially improving treatment outcomes and patient well-being during curative treatment.

[Associations Among Changes in Meridian Energy, Quality of Life During Surgery, and Prognoses in Newly Diagnosed Lung Cancer Patients: A Longitudinal Study].

BACKGROUND: Approximately 30% of patients experience postoperative complications after surgery for early-stage lung cancer. However, the relationships among meridian energy during lung cancer surgery, changes in quality of life, and prognosis have not been investigated. PURPOSE: This study was designed to explore the associations among meridian energy, changes in quality of life, and prognosis in patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer undergoing surgery. METHODS: A longitudinal, repeated-measures design was used. Basic data forms, meridian energy measurements, and a concise 12-item health status questionnaire were administered to the participants at the time of diagnosis, 2 weeks post-surgery, and 12 weeks post-surgery. During this period, changes were analyzed, and their association with postoperative risks was explored. RESULTS: Forty-eight cases were investigated. Both meridian energy and quality of life were found to be significantly decreased 2 weeks after surgery. The high/low ratio of meridian energy, the physical component score of the Short Form 12-Item Health Survey Questionnaire, gender, cancer stage, and body mass index were identified as significantly associated with prognosis. CONCLUSIONS / IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Conclusion/Implications for Practice: The declining trends in meridian energy and quality of life during the 2 weeks after surgery in patients with lung cancer are associated with poor postoperative prognoses. Nurses may use the findings of this study to identify patients at high risk of postoperative complications and develop appropriate strategies to provide comprehensive care.