Prediction of survival of preoperative colorectal patients: A new tool to assess the interaction of nutritional status and inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is responsible for the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the application of a new nutritional status and inflammatory tool to predict overall survival (OS) in patients with CRC in the preoperative period. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study with CRC patients of both sexes treated at a hospital unit, aged ≥20 years. Data were extracted between 2007 and 2015. Multivariate Cox's models were employed to predict OS utilizing a new grade classification system (body mass index vs. percentage weight loss - BMI/%WL), inflammatory markers and clinical data. RESULTS: We evaluated 361 patients. BMI/%WL grade 3-4 (HR: 2.01; p = 0.001; 95% CI: 1.34-3.02) were independent predictors of poor OS. Moreover, BMI/%WL grade 3-4 + neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ≥2.4 (HR: 2.79; p = 0.001; 95% CI: 1.54-5.03) increased the death risk in 5-years. However, low NLR (<2.4) altered the OS prognostic ability of the BMI/%WL (HR: 1.72; p = 0.099; 95% CI: 0.90-3.28). CONCLUSION: BMI/%WL was independent predictors of poor OS and the interaction with NLR produced an adjustment effect. These associated tools may be useful in the clinical management of preoperative patients with CRC.

DIGEST Scale Predictis More Quality of Life Than PAS: The Residue Influence on Supracricoid Laryngectomy.

Introduction Supracricoid laryngectomy (SCL CHEP) removes ∼ 70% of the larynx, resulting in structural rearrangement and modification of the swallowing mechanism, promoting chronic dysphagia. One of the consequences of this new physiology is the formation of pharyngeal residues that can increase the possibility of aspiration. The formation of residues after SCL CHEP, its functional consequences, and its influence on quality of life (QOL) is still poorly described in the literature. Objective To investigate and compare the association between self-reported QoL and objective assessments of swallowing function in patients undergoing SCL CHEP. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed from 2018 to 2020 in a reference service for head and neck surgery in Brazil. A total of 860 swallowing videofluoroscopy images were evaluated using the Penetration and Aspiration Scale (PAS) and Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity (DIGEST). Results In a group of 86 patients, there was a significant relationship between oncological staging and the global ( p < 0.001) and total ( p = 0.002) QoL domains. There was a negative correlation between the DIGEST scale and the emotional domain of the QoL protocol ( p = 0.045). The swallowing function proved to be relevant for QoL. Conclusion The PAS scale did not show any correlation with QoL. The functional performance of swallowing according to the DIGEST scale was coherent with the QOL scores. It is suggested that the residue may be a more relevant aspect for QoL than the aspiration, making DIGEST a promising tool in the assessment of dysphagic patients.

DIGEST Scale Predictis More Quality of Life Than PAS: The Residue Influence on Supracricoid Laryngectomy

Abstract Introduction Supracricoid laryngectomy (SCL CHEP) removes ~ 70% of the larynx, resulting in structural rearrangement and modification of the swallowing mechanism, promoting chronic dysphagia. One of the consequences of this new physiology is the formation of pharyngeal residues that can increase the possibility of aspiration. The formation of residues after SCL CHEP, its functional consequences, and its influence on quality of life (QOL) is still poorly described in the literature. Objective To investigate and compare the association between self-reported QoL and objective assessments of swallowing function in patients undergoing SCL CHEP. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed from 2018 to 2020 in a reference service for head and neck surgery in Brazil. A total of 860 swallowing videofluoroscopy images were evaluated using the Penetration and Aspiration Scale (PAS) and Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity (DIGEST). Results In a group of 86 patients, there was a significant relationship between oncological staging and the global (p<0.001) and total (p = 0.002) QoL domains. There was a negative correlation between the DIGEST scale and the emotional domain of the QoL protocol (p = 0.045). The swallowing function proved to be relevant for QoL. Conclusion The PAS scale did not show any correlation with QoL. The functional performance of swallowing according to the DIGEST scale was coherent with the QOL scores. It is suggested that the residue may be a more relevant aspect for QoL than the aspiration, making DIGEST a promising tool in the assessment of dysphagic patients.

Preoperative Fasting Abbreviation With Whey Protein Reduces the Occurrence of Postoperative Complications in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Surgery has become the treatment of choice for head and neck cancer (HNC) in most cases. Preoperative fasting abbreviation and nutrition screening have been suggested to reduce the occurrence of postoperative complications. This study aimed to evaluate the addition of whey protein in the preoperative fasting abbreviation and to analyze the association of nutrition status on postoperative complications in patients with HNC. METHODS: A randomized, single-blind clinical trial was performed. Patients recruited from March to November 2018 at a national cancer reference center in Brazil were divided into 2 groups: intervention group (clear fluids with carbohydrate plus whey protein [CHO-P]) and control group (clear fluids with carbohydrate only [CHO]). All patients were evaluated by the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and body mass index. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess associations between the studied variables, generating odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: A total of 49 patients met the eligibility criteria and enrolled in the study. A PG-SGA score of 4-8, indicating moderate malnutrition (OR, 10.91; 95% CI, 1.05-112.91), was an independent factor that increased the risk of postoperative complication, whereas the CHO-P group (OR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.01-0.26) was found to be an independent factor in reducing such risk. CONCLUSION: The addition of whey protein to clear fluids (CHO-P group) was associated with a reduced risk of postoperative complications compared with the CHO group. Furthermore, moderate malnourishment was associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications for patients with HNC.

Advanced Stage of Disease and Systemic Inflammation as Factors Associated With Referral of Patients With Colorectal Cancer to a Palliative Care Unit.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with referral to an exclusive palliative care unit (PCU) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: Retrospective cohort study with patients having CRC of both sexes treated at a hospital unit, aged ≥20 years. Data were extracted from the medical records of pretreatment patients between January 2008 and August 2014. The outcome was referral to the PCU within 5 years. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess whether sociodemographic, clinical, nutritional, and biochemistry data were associated to referral, generating odds ratios (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Four hundred fifteen patients were evaluated. The Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment demonstrated a prevalence of malnutrition of 57.3%. One hundred one (24.3%) patients were referred to the PCU after 16.3 months (interquartile range: 7.2-33.5). These patients were more likely to be at an advanced stage of the disease and have malnutrition and exacerbated systemic inflammation. Tumor stage III and IV (OR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.12-3.76) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ≥3 (OR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.12-3.17) were predictors of an increased chance of referral to the PCU. CONCLUSION: Advanced disease stage and NLR were associated with referral of patients with CCR to a PCU.

Systemic Inflammation and Nutritional Status in Patients on Palliative Cancer Care: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic literature review explores the results of studies that have analyzed the association between inflammation and nutritional status in patients with cancer in palliative care. METHODS: The bibliographic research was performed in May 2019, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Group guidelines. The inclusion criteria were papers that (1) had an online abstract available, (2) were original, (3) used a cohort or cross-sectional design, (4) involved patients with advanced cancer in palliative care, and (5) assessed the association between inflammation and nutritional status. The quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: Nine studies were selected. Weight loss (WL; n = 7) was the most common nutritional marker employed and C-reactive protein (CRP; n = 6) was the most common inflammatory marker. There was considerable variability (39.0%-92.2%) in the proportion of patients who had WL in a 6-month period, while CRP >5 mg/dL was common in 45.3% to 73.9% of patients. Systemic inflammation was related to nutritional status, highlighting the relationship between CRP and WL and lean mass (LM). Patients with CRP >10 mg/L have been found to have a lower LM (P < .001) and a faster rate of loss of LM at a faster rate during the disease trajectory (P = .030). CONCLUSION: Nutritional status is associated with systemic inflammatory response. Inflammatory markers should be considered an additional parameter for the nutritional diagnosis of patients with cancer in palliative care.

Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and nutritional status are clinically useful in predicting prognosis in colorectal cancer patients.

Background: Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and nutritional status may provide a prognostic value in colorectal cancer (CRC). Thus, aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of nutritional status and NLR in CRC patients.Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted in CRC patients. The independent variables were body mass index (BMI), weight loss (WL) and NLR. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds chance of low NLR. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression were used to evaluate the overall survival at 5 years old.Results: In the 148 patients evaluated, the most prevalent nutritional status was overweight/obesity (43.2%) and 27.0% had severe WL. Sixty-seven subjects (45.3%) had NLR ≥ 3 that was associated with the lower OS (P < 0.001). There was a higher OS for overweight/obese patients (P = 0.002) and a lower among subjects with severe WL (P = 0.009). The NLR ≥3 (HR: 3.639; 95% CI, 1.708-7.771) was an independent poor prognostic factor for OS. Patients without WL (HR: 0.367, 95% CI, 0.141-0.954) and classified as overweight/obesity (HR: 0.260; 95% CI, 0.106-0.639) presented better prognostic.Conclusion: NLR, WL, BMI assessments are promising prognostic indicators in the CRC.

Prevalência de Desnutrição em Pacientes Adultos e Idosos em Fase de Pré-Tratamento de Leucemia / Malnutrition Prevalence in Adult and Older Adults Patients with Leukemia in Pretreatment Phase / Prevalencia de Desnutrición en Pacientes Adultos y Ancianos en la Fase Pretratamiento de la Leucemia

Introdução: O estado nutricional em fase pré-tratamento pode estar relacionado a desfechos clínicos desfavoráveis em pacientes com câncer. Objetivo: Avaliar o estado nutricional de pacientes adultos e idosos com leucemia em fase de pré-tratamento oncológico. Método: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, retrospectivo, envolvendo pacientes com leucemia em fase pré-tratamento oncológico. Os critérios de inclusão foram ≥20 anos de idade; ambos os sexos; e matrícula no Instituto Nacional de Câncer José Alencar Gomes da Silva (INCA). Os critérios de exclusão foram não ter diagnóstico confirmado de leucemia; registro de avaliação do estado nutricional por meio da avaliação subjetiva global produzida pelo paciente; e não ter recebido tratamento oncológico prévio. Os testes qui-quadrado e t deStudent foram utilizados. Resultados: Foram avaliados 69 pacientes com leucemia em fase pré-tratamento oncológico, sendo em sua maioria homens (52,2%) com menos de 60 anos de idade (52,2%). A prevalência de desnutrição foi de 65,2%, sendo mais expressiva nos idosos (78,8%, p=0,023). A prevalência de risco nutricional apresentou a mesma frequência (65,2%), no entanto, foi maior em pacientes com comorbidades (80,8%, p=0,017) e história de tabagismo (90,9%, p=0,056). Conclusão: A maior parte dos pacientes com leucemia iniciou seu tratamento oncológico com o estado nutricional debilitado, o que se exacerbou entre aqueles com leucemia crônica, idosos, com comorbidades e história de tabagismo.

Introduction: The nutritional status in the pretreatment phase may be related to unfavorable clinical outcomes in cancer patients. Objective: To assess the nutritional status of adult and older adults patients with leukemia in the pretreatment cancer phase. Method: Cross-sectional, retrospective study, involving patients with leukemia in the pretreatment cancer phase. The inclusion criteria were: ≥20 years of age, both genders and enrollment at the National Cancer Institute José Alencar Gomes da Silva (INCA). The exclusion criteria were not having confirmed diagnosis of leukemia, registration of the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment and not having submitted to previous cancer treatment. Chi-square and Student's t tests were used. Results: 69 patients were evaluated with leukemia in the pretreatment cancer phase, mostly men (52.2%) under 60 years of age (52.2%). The prevalence of malnutrition was 65.2%, being more expressive in the older adults (78.8%, p=0.023). The prevalence of nutritional risk had the same frequency (65.2%), however it was higher in patients with comorbidities (80.8%, p=0.017) and smoking history (90.9%, p=0.056). Conclusion: Most patients with leukemia started their cancer treatment with impaired nutritional status, which was exacerbated for those with chronic leukemia, older adults, with comorbidities and history of smoking.

Introducción: El estado nutricional en la fase de pretratamiento puede estar relacionado con resultados clínicos desfavorables en pacientes con cáncer. Objetivo: Evaluar el estado nutricional de pacientes adultos y ancianos con leucemia en fase de pretratamiento de cáncer. Método: Este es un estudio transversal, retrospectivo, que involucra a pacientes con leucemia en la fase de pretratamiento de cáncer. Los criterios de inclusión fueron ≥20 años de edad; ambos os sexos; e inscripción en el Instituto Nacional del Cáncer José Alencar Gomes da Silva (INCA). Los criterios de exclusión fueron no tener un diagnóstico confirmado de leucemia; registro de la evaluación del estado nutricional a través de la Valoración Subjetiva Global-Generada por el Paciente; y no haber recibido tratamiento previo contra el cáncer. Se utilizaron las pruebas de Chi-cuadrado y t de Student. Resultados: Se evaluaron 69 pacientes con leucemia en la fase de pretratamiento de cáncer, en su mayoría hombres (52,2%) menores de 60 años (52,2%). La prevalencia de desnutrición fue del 65,2%, siendo más expresiva en los ancianos (78,8%, p=0,023). La prevalencia del riesgo nutricional tuvo la misma frecuencia (65,2%), sin embargo, fue mayor en pacientes con comorbilidades (80,8%, p=0,017) y antecedentes de tabaquismo (90,9%, p=0,056). Conclusión: La mayoría de los pacientes con leucemia comenzaron su tratamiento con un estado nutricional deteriorado, que se exacerbó entre aquellos con leucemia crónica, ancianos, con comorbilidades y antecedentes de tabaquismo.