The Effect of Nutrition Intervention With Oral Nutritional Supplements on Ovarian Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
Women unlucky enough to have ovarian cancer are frequently mal-nourished. Previous studies have shown that at the time of diagnosis only about 10% are well nourished. Reasons for this include, peritoneal metastases with leak of protein to ascitic fluid, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and sub acute bowel obstruction.
This study looks at whether oral food supplement can improve the nutritional status of these women. By random allocation, a group of 60 women with ovarian cancer were divided into two groups; those who received supplement and those who did not. Assessment of nutritional health used the Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment format, which records weight, function, intake and symptoms.
Results from the study were linked to biochemical and haematological data. It shows that a simple intervention with oral food supplement can have a significant beneficial effect. Further investigation, to determine whether improved nutrition results in improved outcomes, is warranted.
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