gms | German Medical Science

Purpose: Malnutrition and its consequences are a known problem in the gynaecologic-oncologic hospital setting. But how is the situation in the outpatient clinics? And is evaluation of nutritional status necessary?

Material and Methods: An anonymous survey containing 30 questions was given to 59 outpatients with gynaecological cancer. Results: Patients were 57 years old, 1,65 m tall, weight at the moment 62 kg, weight before diagnosis 64 kg, changement -3,25% (2 years). 33,3% lost weight > 10% until first diagnosis. BMI at the moment 23,2%, at first diagnosis 23,9%. 66,1% Ovarial-Ca, 12,9% Zervix-Ca, 8,9% Mamma-Ca, 5,4% Endometrium-Ca, 7,2% others. Surgery? Yes 94,8%. Chemotherapy Yes 96,6%. Appetite? Very good 20,3%, good 28,8%, ok 42,4%, bad 3,4%, very bad 5,1%. Changing appetite in the last 3 month? Yes 41,4%, 45% decreasing. Smoking? 21,4% (Zervix-Ca 85,7%). Problems with digestion? 67,8%. Nausea 8,8%. Preferred are vegetables (89,6%), fruits (86,4%), diary products (76,3%) und fish (66,1%). Meat, eggs und rice are not preferred (< 50%). Doing exercises 47,5%, 73,9% more than once a week. 79,7% are cooking and keeping the house themselves.63,8% are informed about cancer and nutrition. Brochure 50%, doctor 23%, internet 7%. Diets 10,2%. Supplements are taken in 62,7%. Supportive liquid nutrition was tasted in 31%. Drinkable 44,4%. Parenteral nutrition (clinic) 40%.

Discussion: Most patients were operated and they got chemotherapy. Most patients have problems with digestion, but nausea is seldom. Vegetables, fruits, diary products and fish are more popular, than meat. Many patients do exercises at regular intervals. Most patients are self-dependent and informed about nutrition and cancer. Nutritional supplements are and diets are not very popular. Supportive liquid nutrition is accepted.

The patient collective was at median not malnourished, but one third has a weight lost of over 10% since first diagnosis and the appetite is decreasing. So they are a high risk group and a regularly nutritional evaluation is necessary.