The Underestimated and Overlooked Burden of Diarrhea and Constipation in Cancer Patients.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review aims to summarize and discuss the diverse causes of two major gastrointestinal dysfunction symptoms, diarrhea and constipation, in cancer patients. We also discuss short- and long-term clinical, economic, and humanistic consequences, including the impact on cancer treatment regimens and patient quality of life, highlighting the limitations of the literature. RECENT FINDINGS: Diarrhea and constipation as a result of cancer and its treatment can risk the success of anti-cancer therapies by requiring treatment delay or withdrawal, and imposes a substantial humanistic burden in patients with cancer. Despite its importance and frequency, gastrointestinal side effects may be overlooked due to the focus on cancer treatment, and the impact on patients may be underestimated. Additionally, the burden reported may not fully reflect current cancer management, particularly the true impact of economic consequences. A full understanding of the burden of diarrhea and constipation in patients with cancer is required, including broad evaluation of clinical considerations, the patient experience, and an updated assessment of economic burden. This would improve caregivers' appreciation of the impact of gastrointestinal dysfunction and aid the prioritization of future research efforts.

Body weight gain rate in patients with Parkinson's disease and deep brain stimulation.

We evaluated body weight changes in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) after electrode implantation for deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in relation to clinical improvement. Thirty PD patients who received STN DBS were included (22 men, 8 women; mean age, 60.0 +/- 7.1 years; mean PD duration, 13.5 +/- 3.7 years; mean body mass index [BMI], 21.6 +/- 3.0 kg/m2). Body weight, physical activity, and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores were noted before and 3 and 12 months after the procedure. Significant weight gain occurred in 29 patients; the mean increase was 14.8 +/- 9.8% of initial body weight in 1 year. Of the patients, 46.5% reported weight gain in the first 3 months, 21.4% gradual weight gain in the first 6 months, and 32.1% a slow increase for 1 year. Mean BMI increased up to 24.7 +/- 3.7 kg/m2. After 1 year, mean UPDRS motor score improved significantly in off and in on; and therapy complications improved by 91.0 +/- 17.0%. BMI changes at 3 and 12 months were significantly correlated to dyskinesia score changes, and levodopa dosage was not. In PD, STN DBS produces not only symptom control, but also weight gain. DBS candidates should be given nutritional counseling before the intervention to prevent rapid and/or excessive weight gain.