PP384 - REGENERATION INTERIM ANALYSIS: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NUTRITION THERAPY FOR PATIENTS WITH GASTROINTESTINAL TUMORS DURING REHABILITATION

PP384

REGENERATION INTERIM ANALYSIS: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NUTRITION THERAPY FOR PATIENTS WITH GASTROINTESTINAL TUMORS DURING REHABILITATION

N. Erickson^1,*, C. Reudelsterz², H. Baurecht³, C. Welker³, N. Thurner¹, F. Haerlin⁴, C. Haupt⁵, S. Lange-Maurer ⁶, C. Lotze⁷, M. Marutt⁸, N. Jost¹

¹Comprehensive Cancer Center LMU, Ludwig Maximilian University Clinic (LMU), Munich, ²Prevention and Rehabiltation, Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund (German Pension Insurance), Berlin, ³Department for Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine , University of Regensburg, Regensburg, ⁴Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Fachklinik Sonnenhof Rehabiliation-Fachklinik, Waldachtal, ⁵Klinik Wingertsberg , Rehazentrum Bad Homburg v.d.H, Bad Homburg, ⁶Oncology Competence Center, Bad Trissl Clinic , Oberaudorf, ⁷Specialist Clinic for Orthopaedics and Oncology, Rehazentrum Lübben, Lübben, ⁸Clinic in Mölln, Rehabilitation Center of Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund (German Pension Insurance), Mölln, Germany

Rationale: Patients with gastrointestinal (GI) tumors are at long-term risk of malnutrition, making nutrition support a key component of rehabilitation. The primary aim of the REGENERATION study (Part 1) was to evaluate the effectiveness of nutrition therapy during a rehabilitation program for these patients.

Methods: Nutrition status, psychosocial distress, quality of life (QoL), and risk of early retirement were assessed at admission (t0) and discharge (t1) using the Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment Short Form (PG-SGA SF), the Distress Thermometer, the Euro Quality of Life-Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS), and the German Screening Instrument Work and Occupation (SIBAR). Changes between t0 and t1 were analyzed, using paired t-tests, McNemar’s test, and Fisher’s exact tests.

Results: n=170 patients from 5 rehabilitation centers were included. Sample sizes for specific comparisons/associations varied due to missing data. The majority were male (63.9%). Tumors were located in the upper (54.2%) or lower GI tract (45.2%). Between admission and discahrge, mean malnutrition risk (PG-SGA SF≥9), decreased significantly by 2.2 points (95% CI: 1.6–2.8; p<0.001). Additionally, the proportion of malnourished patients declined by 50% (p<0.001) and nutrition-related symptom decreased by 26.4% (p<0.001). Mean body mass index showed no statistically significant change (Diff.: 0.05; 95 % CI -0.15–0.05). QoL improved by 9.6 points (95 % CI 7.5–11.7; p<0.001) on the EQ-VAS. Non-significant changes were observed for distress levels and risk of early retirement.

Conclusion: The results indicate that a rehabilitation program including nutrition therapy lowers the risk of malnutrition in patients with GI tumors and enhances overall nutrition status while contributing to fewer patient-reported nutrition-related symptoms, weight stabilization and a better QoL.

Disclosure of Interest: N. Erickson Consultant for: 2024-2026 Fresenius GmbH, Speakers Bureau of: Since 2022: N. Erickson has received speaker honoraria from Audi BKK, Baxter, Beiersdorf, CSL Behring, Fresenius, Freiraum, Outdoor against Cancer, Fraunhofer Institut, Cognitando Gmbh, and GHD, Other: 2022 Expert advisory board at Baxter, C. Reudelsterz Other: C. Reudelsterz is employed by DRV Bund , H. Baurecht: None declared, C. Welker: None declared, N. Thurner: None declared, F. Haerlin: None declared, C. Haupt: None declared, S. Lange-Maurer : None declared, C. Lotze: None declared, M. Marutt: None declared, N. Jost: None declared