P009 - NUTRITIONAL TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH HEAD AND NECK CANCER -A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

P009

NUTRITIONAL TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH HEAD AND NECK CANCER -A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

B. B. Darlem^1,2, J. E. B. Vind^1,2, J. A. Svendsen³, A. W. Dynesen³, A. M. Beck¹, A. W. Knudsen^1,*

¹The Dietitians and Nutritional Research Unit, EATEN, Copenhagen University Hospital -Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, ²Department of Nursing and Nutrition, University College Copenhagen, Faculty of Health, Copenhagen, ³Department of Nutrition and Health, Centre for Health and Rehabilitation, University College Absalon, Slagelse, Denmark

Rationale: Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) face a high risk of disease-related malnutrition, which negatively affects treatment outcomes. This study aimed to assess of nutritional status throughout the patients’ treatment period.

Methods: A retrospective study including patients with HNC referred to a clinical dietitian, within a one-year period (October 2023 to October 2024). The patients followed the hospitals standard procedure with one dietetic counseling aimed at two weeks after start of treatment at the outpatient clinic. Follow-up counseling was conducted at rereferral. Data on sex, BMI, duration of treatment period, hospitalization, and counseling by clinical dietitian were collected from the electronic medical records. Data are presented as median (IQR) and n (%). Differences between groups are analyzed by a chi²-test.

Results: We included 70 patients (60% men). Age 70 (65-77) years, BMI 26 (21–30) kg/m², 36 (53%) had a BMI >25 kg/m². The treatment period was 112 (106-119) days, and 32 (46%) patients were hospitalized during this period. Follow-up counseling by a clinical dietitian was found in 7 (22%) during a hospitalization, and in 4 (6%) at the outpatient clinic. During the treatment period weight-loss >5% was found in 34 (55%) of the patients. Significantly more patients with a weight-loss >5% had a BMI >25 (p=0.026). Tube-feeding was initiated in 29 (41%), after a treatment period of 69 (60-80) days. Comparing patients in tube-feeding versus only orally feed a weight-loss >5% was found in 65% versus in 47% (p=0.156). Before initiation of tube-feeding 24% had a weight-loss >5%, and after initiation of tube-feeding 35% had a weight-loss >5% (p=0.674).

Conclusion: Data showed that more than half of the patients had a weight-loss above 5%, and that weight-loss above 5% was more prevalent in patients with a BMI above 25. These findings indicate a need for more comprehensive nutritional support.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared