Positive correlation between persistence of medical nutrition therapy and overall survival in patients with head and neck cancer.

Background: Several factors can affect overall survival of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, including characteristics of the cancer disease and response to treatments. However, patients' nutritional status and the effectiveness of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) can also impact overall survival. The primary goal of our research was to collect real-life data on the use of MNT in HNC patients and to specifically investigate the correlation between survival and the duration of uninterrupted (persistent) nutrition. Method: The data of this retrospective, analytical, cohort study was collected from electronic healthcare records from the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Management. Overall, 38,675 HNC patients' data of the period between 2012 and 2021 was used. We applied multi-step exclusions to identify patient groups accurately and to avoid biasing factors. Statistical analysis was done by the Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, and Cox regression analysis. Results: Throughout the investigated period 16,871 (64%) patients received MNT therapy out of 26,253 newly diagnosed patients (≥18 years). In terms of the persistence of MNT, we divided the patients into three groups (1-3; 4-6; ≥7-month duration of MNT). When comparing these groups, we found that patients receiving long-term (≥7 months) MNT had a significantly longer overall survival (p < 0.0001) than those who received MNT for a shorter duration, both in locally advanced and recurrent/metastatic cases. Conclusion: The main outcome of the study is that there is a positive correlation between the persistence of MNT and the overall survival in HNC patients when nutritional intervention lasts several months. It highlights the responsibility of the specialists during the patient journey to use MNT early and to continue its use for as long as it is beneficial to the patients.

[Effect of long-term medical nutrition therapy on the survival of head and neck cancer patients - based on real-world data]. / Hosszú távú orvosi felügyeletet igénylo táplálásterápia hatása a fej-nyak tumoros betegek túlélésére ­ valós bizonyítékú adatok alapján.

At the 45th Congress of ESPEN (The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism), we presented for the first time the initial results of our 2023 oncology research, in which we revealed positive correlations between the persistence of medical nutrition therapy and overall survival, in head and neck cancer patients. Patients who received longterm nutrition therapy (≥7 months) had a significantly longer survival (p<0.0001) than those who received only short-term nutrition therapy intervention, i.e., for 1-3 months. The aim, methodology and results of the Hungarian research aroused the interest of the congress participants; therefore, we also publish it in Hungarian in the form of a short notice.

Az alacsony testtömegindex és testtömegcsökkenés vizsgálata magyar tüdodaganatos betegek adatainak felhasználásával.

During oncological treatments, body mass index (BMI) and weight loss (WL) are important prognostic factors, but can be influenced by nutrition therapy. The aim of the study was to collect data on BMI and WL of patients with lung cancer and on the nutritional therapy influencing malnutrition. In our multicenter, retrospective study involving 1616 patients, data were collected using a questionnaire with 51 questions, and statistical analysis was performed with descriptive, and multivariate analysis methods with IBM SPSS 20 software. According to the method of Martin, based on BMI and WL, patients were ranked on a scale of 0 to 4 (grade 0 24.9%; grade 1 20.7%; grade 2 14.9%; grade 3 22.4%; grade 4 17.0%). Based on this data low BMI and WL may affect survival in 75.1%. In contrast, only 37.6% of patients received nutritional therapy, based on 47 different strategies. The data substituted into the prognostic matrix highlights that weight loss may shorten patients' survival. The 47 strategies indicate that the use of nutritional therapy is inconsistent throughout this patient cohort.

Regional variability of melanoma incidence and prevalence in Hungary. Epidemiological impact of ambient UV radiation and socioeconomic factors.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of cutaneous melanoma has risen faster than almost any other type of cancer in the last 50 years. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation and genetic susceptibility are the most important risk factors. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the epidemiologic indicators of melanoma in Hungary, a country with an estimated population of 9.8 million and an area of 93 030 km2. METHODS: Anonymized patient records from the National Health Insurance Fund Management covering the entire population were used to determine the incidence and prevalence of melanoma in the counties of Hungary from 2013 to 2017. Altogether 20 030 melanoma cases were identified for inclusion in this study. RESULTS: The prevalence of melanoma increased over the investigated period and was significantly higher among women than men. The incidence of melanoma stagnated during this period and the incidence rate was the highest among the elderly. Interestingly, the incidence was higher in males in the elderly population, while the incidence was higher in females in the younger (<60 years) population. Geographical variations in ambient UV radiation did not show statistically significant correlation with the regional variability of epidemiologic indicators, probably due to small differences in the number of bright sunshine hours per year between regions. Although Hungary is a relatively small country, we observed regional heterogeneity in socioeconomic factors. Notably, a significant and strong negative correlation was found between single-person household rates and melanoma prevalence. CONCLUSION: In addition to ambient UV radiation, melanoma incidence and prevalence appear to be related to age, gender and socioeconomic factors.