Risk factors for severe weight loss at 1 month after gastrectomy for gastric cancer

Postoperative body weight change and its influencing factors in patients with gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

The high incidence and mortality of gastric cancer (GC) pose a significant threat to human life and health, and it has become an important public health challenge in China. Body weight loss is a common complication after surgical treatment in patients with GC and is associated with poor prognosis and GC recurrence. However, current attention to postoperative weight change in GC patients remains insufficient, and the descriptions of postoperative weight change and its influencing factors are also different.

AIM

To investigate body weight changes in patients with GC within 6 mo after gastrectomy and identify factors that influence dynamic body weight changes.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective longitudinal study of 121 patients with GC and collected data before (T0) and 1 (T1), 3 (T2), and 6 (T3) mo after gastrectomy using a general data questionnaire, psychological distress thermometer, and body weight measurements. The general estimation equation (GEE) was used to analyze the dynamic trends of body weight changes and factors that influence body weight changes in patients with GC within 6 mo of gastrectomy.

RESULTS

The median weight loss at T1, T2, and T3 was 7.29% (2.84%, 9.40%), 11.11% (7.64%, 14.91%), and 14.75% (8.80%, 19.84%), respectively. The GEE results showed that preoperative body mass index (BMI), significant psychological distress, religious beliefs, and sex were risk factors for weight loss in patients with GC within 6 mo after gastrectomy (P < 0.05). Compared with preoperative low-weight patients, preoperative obese patients were more likely to have weight loss (β = 14.685, P < 0.001). Furthermore, patients with significant psychological distress were more likely to lose weight than those without (β = 2.490, P < 0.001), and religious patients were less likely to lose weight 6 mo after gastrectomy than those without religious beliefs (β = -6.844, P = 0.001). Compared to female patients, male patients were more likely to experience weight loss 6 mo after gastrectomy (β = 4.262, P = 0.038).

CONCLUSION

Male patients with GC with high preoperative BMI, significant psychological distress, and no religious beliefs are more likely to lose weight after gastrectomy.

Effectiveness of weight-loss prevention with continual nutrition counseling in postoperative outpatients with stage IA and IB gastric cancer

Outpatient nutritional counseling by a registered dietitian is often performed to prevent weight loss, but evidence supporting this practice is insufficient. In this study, we aimed to clarify the effectiveness of four-time outpatient nutritional counseling in weight-loss prevention compared with conventional intervention limited to one-time nutritional counseling. This study was designed as a retrospective cohort study. The target population was postoperative patients with stage IA and IB gastric cancer. Groups that received one-time and four-time nutritional counseling included patients who underwent gastrectomy from May 2014 to April 2017 and May 2017 to December 2019, respectively. The one-time group received counseling at discharge; the four-time group received counseling at discharge, at the first outpatient visit, and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. There were 58 patients in the one-time group and 27 patients in the four-time group, with a significant difference in length of hospital stay (p = 0.042). Thirty-six patients (62.1%) in the one-time nutritional counseling group and 12 (44.4%) in the four-time group had a weight loss of 5% or more from hospital discharge to 6 months postoperatively. The adjusted risk ratio for the effectiveness of four counseling sessions compared with one session was 0.69 (95% confidence interval 0.35-1.34). In subgroup analysis, the effect of nutritional guidance was greater for patients with body mass index ≥23 kg/m2, but this depended on the outcome and number of cases, and there was no essential difference between the groups. In postoperative patients with stage IA and stage IB gastric cancer, four sessions of outpatient nutrition counseling may be not superior to one counseling session in preventing weight loss.

Effects of individualized dietary counseling on nutritional status and quality of life in post-discharge patients after surgery for gastric cancer: A randomized clinical trial

Background

Currently, the supporting evidence for dietary counseling is insufficient. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of individualized dietary counseling on nutritional outcomes and quality of life (QOL) in patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer.

Methods

This study was a prospective, single-center, randomized controlled trial. The patients after surgery for gastric cancer were randomly assigned (1:1) to the intervention group and the control group. In the intervention group, patients receive individualized dietary counseling based on individual calorie needs and symptom assessment at 24 h before discharge, 14, 21, 30, and 60 days postoperatively. Patients in the control group received routine dietary counseling. The primary endpoint was body mass index (BMI) loss at 30, 60, and 90 days after surgery; the secondary endpoints were calorie and protein intake at 30 and 60 days after surgery, blood parameters, the 90-day readmission rate, and QOL at 90 days after surgery.

Results

One hundred thirty patients were enrolled; 67 patients were assigned to the intervention group and 63 patients to the control group. Compared with the control group, patients in the intervention group were significantly less BMI loss at 30 days (-0.84 ± 0.65 vs. -1.29 ± 0.83), 60 days (-1.29 ± 0.92 vs. -1.77 ± 1.13), and 90 days (-1.37 ± 1.05 vs. -1.92 ± 1.66) after surgery (all P< 0.05). Subgroups analysis by surgery type showed that the intervention could significantly reduce BMI loss in patients undergoing total and proximal gastrectomy at 30 days (-0.75 ± 0.47 vs. -1.55 ± 1.10), 60 days (-1.59 ± 1.02 vs. -2.55 ± 1.16), and 90 days (-1.44 ± 1.19 vs. -3.26 ± 1.46) after surgery (all P< 0.05). At 60 days after surgery, calorie goals were reached in 35 patients (77.8%) in the intervention group and 14 patients (40.0%) in the control group (P = 0.001), and protein goals were reached in 40 patients (88.9%) in the intervention group and 17 patients (48.6%) in the control group (P< 0.001). Regarding the QOL at 90 days after surgery, the patients in the intervention group had a significantly lower level of fatigue, shortness of breath and stomach pain, better physical function, and cognitive function (P< 0.05).

Conclusions

Post-discharge individualized dietary counseling is an effective intervention to reduce post-gastrectomy patient weight loss and to elevate calorie intake, protein intake, and QOL.

Impact of gastrectomy on body composition within 1 month in patients with gastric cancer

PURPOSE

The present study examined the changes in and risk factors for body composition (BC) during the first postoperative month when dynamic biological reactions occur.

METHODS

We retrospectively assessed 202 patients who underwent gastrectomy. The BC was assessed using a bioelectrical impedance analysis and evaluated within 1 month preoperatively, 1 week postoperatively, and 1 month postoperatively. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify predictive factors for BC change.

RESULTS

The mean reduction rate in BC at 1 month postoperatively was - 6.0, - 10.5, - 5.6, - 1.1, - 10.1, and + 1.2% for body weight, body fat, skeletal muscle, bone mineral, extracellular water/total body water, and the whole-body phase angle, respectively. A multiple regression analysis revealed that independent risk factors for weight loss were complications, operative time, and type of gastrectomy (P = 0.004, 0.011, 0.015, respectively), and those for skeletal muscle loss were complications and gastrectomy type (P = 0.002, 0.010, respectively). A segmental lean mass analysis revealed that the lower limbs were markedly reduced at 1 week postoperatively (- 8.0%), and these independent risk factors were the female sex and Stage II/III disease (P = 0.008, 0.036, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Detailed analyses of BC might help elucidate the mechanisms underlying postoperative physical changes, which might be useful for perioperative management.

Feasibility and Safety of Oral Nutritional Supplementation with High-Density Liquid Diet After Total Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

INTRODUCTION

Patients requiring total gastrectomy for gastric cancer experience a decrease in food intake leading to severe body weight loss after surgery. This loss may be prevented using a high-density liquid diet of high caloric content and minimal volume. This phase II study evaluated the feasibility and safety of a high-density liquid diet (UpLead^®; Terumo Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) after total gastrectomy.

METHODS

UpLead^® (1 pack, 100 mL, 400 kcal/day) was administered after surgery for 28 days. The primary endpoint was the % relative dose intensity of 28 days of UpLead intake^®. The secondary endpoint was % body weight loss at 1 and 3 months after surgery. The sample size was 35 considering expected and threshold values of 80 and 60%, respectively, with a one-sided alpha error of 10% and statistical power of 80%.

RESULTS

Among 35 patients enrolled before surgery between April 2018 and December 2019, 29 patients who could initiate UpLead^® after surgery were analyzed. Seven patients had interrupted UpLead^® intake due to taste intolerance (n = 6) and due to a duodenal stump fistula (n = 1). The remaining 22 patients completed 28 days of UpLead^® intake, including temporary interruption, with no associated adverse events. The median relative dose intensity was 25.8% (95% confidence interval: 20.6-42.0%). The median body weight loss at 1 and 3 months after surgery was 7.2% (range: 3.2-13.9%) and 13.1% (range: 2.5-20.4%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral nutritional supplementation with a high-density liquid diet (UpLead^®) was safely administered but was not feasible after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Clinical trial registration number UMIN000032291.

Larger Remaining Stomach Volume Is Associated With Better Nutrition and Muscle Preservation in Patients With Gastric Cancer Receiving Distal Gastrectomy With Gastroduodenostomy

Purpose

Weight loss and deterioration in body composition are observed in patients with gastric cancer (GC) following gastrectomy. This study aimed to investigate the impact of residual stomach volume (RSV) on the nutritional status and body composition of patients with GC treated with distal gastrectomy.

Materials and Methods

In total, 227 patients who underwent minimally invasive distal gastrectomy with Billroth 1 anastomosis for stage I GC between February 2015 and May 2018 were enrolled. Clinicodemographic and laboratory data were collected from the GC registry. The RSV, abdominal muscle area, and subcutaneous/visceral fat areas were measured using computed tomography data.

Results

A larger RSV was associated with a lower decrease in the nutritional risk index (P=0.004) and hemoglobin level (P=0.003) during the first 3 months after surgery, and better recovery at 12 months. A larger RSV demonstrated an advantage in the preservation of abdominal muscle area (P=0.02) and visceral fat (P=0.04) after surgery, as well as less reduction in weight (P=0.02) and body mass index (P=0.03).

Conclusions

Larger RSV was associated with improved nutritional status and better preservation of muscle and fat after distal gastrectomy.

Case reports of new-onset eating disorders in older adult cancer survivors

BACKGROUND

It is unusual for a de novo eating disorder to emerge in late adulthood. Across a number of years, a number of patients were identified who experienced severe and unexpected weight loss post curative management of an upper abdominal cancer (i.e., cancer survivors). Each of the patients was readmitted to the tertiary surgical hospital due to complications of severe malnutrition. Each presentation was initially considered to have a major physical health problem (such as cancer recurrence). Each required extensive investigations and multidisciplinary team involvement and were later conceptualised as a new-onset (in later adulthood) eating disorder that emerged post curative cancer treatment. The team wished to better understand this group and/or characterise and/or inform the scientific community of this phenomena if not already well described.

LITERATURE REVIEW

The review identified that the re-emergence of pre-existing eating disorders at the time of cancer treatment was described; however, there was no identification of similar new-onset in later adulthood cases of eating disorders in cancer survivors in the medical literature.

REVIEW OF THE CASES

Once ethics and consent was obtained, then the clinical course of four complex individuals were reviewed, including the use of a multidisciplinary Delphi review process, to understand commonalities and then plot a common care pathway with potential intervention points.

CASE PRESENTATIONS

Common factors identified among the four patients included the lack of a physical health (organic) cause to the weight loss and ongoing weight loss despite intense multidisciplinary care. All had abnormal attitudes and behaviours relating to food, nutritional rehabilitation and/or recovery. None returned to a healthy weight and/or healthy eating despite extensive team input. The presentations were ultimately conceptualised as having severe disordered eating behaviours and in at least three cases met criteria for a formal eating disorder. The cohort had similar psychosocial characteristics including low socioeconomic status and complex family dynamics. None had prior formal psychiatric care. The outcomes were poor; one patient died, another required admission to a specialist eating disorder admission with a subsequent relapsing remitting course, and the remaining two had complicated chronic courses.

CONCLUSION

Similar cases may be underreported. If identified earlier, there may be a role for intervention to prevent high morbidity and mortality and to support clinical teams managing similar complex patients.

Early Weight Loss as a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer: Analyses from REGARD, RAINBOW, and RAINFALL Phase III Studies

BACKGROUND

Weight loss is common in advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (G/GEA); however, the prognostic implications of weight loss during the first cycle (C1) of chemotherapy remain poorly characterized. In this study, we investigated the impact of early weight loss during systemic treatment as a potential prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced G/GEA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a post hoc analysis of three phase III studies of ramucirumab. Patients were categorized into two groups: weight loss of ≥3% and <3% based on weight change during C1 (3-4 weeks) of treatment. OS by weight groups was assessed for each study and as a pooled meta-analysis. The effect of C1 weight change on patient survival was evaluated using univariate and multivariate Cox models.

RESULTS

A total of 1,464 patients with weight data at the end of C1 were analyzed: REGARD (n = 311), RAINBOW (n = 591), and RAINFALL (n = 562). For all three studies, there were fewer patients in the weight loss ≥3% than <3% group. OS was numerically shorter for patients with weight loss of ≥3% than for patients with weight loss of <3% during C1 irrespective of treatment arm. Similar treatment independent effects of early weight loss on OS were observed in the meta-analysis. Overall, early weight loss ≥3% was associated with shorter survival in patients receiving active drug as well as placebo/best supportive care.

CONCLUSION

This large post hoc analysis demonstrated that weight loss of ≥3% during C1 was a negative prognostic factor for OS in patients with advanced G/GEA.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

This comprehensive analysis examining early weight loss during systemic treatment as a predictor of survival outcomes in patients with advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (G/GEA) includes a large sample size, reliable on-treatment data reported in well-conducted phase III clinical trials, and global representation of cancer patients with advanced G/GEA. Understanding the impact of on-treatment weight loss is clinically relevant and may represent an opportunity for targeted interventions.

Nutritional Support Indications in Gastroesophageal Cancer Patients: From Perioperative to Palliative Systemic Therapy. A Comprehensive Review of the Last Decade

Gastric cancer treatments are rapidly evolving, leading to significant survival benefit. Recent evidence provided by clinical trials strongly encouraged the use of perioperative chemotherapy as standard treatment for the localized disease, whereas in the advanced disease setting, molecular characterization has improved patients’ selection for tailored therapeutic approaches, including molecular targeted therapy and immunotherapy. The role of nutritional therapy is widely recognized, with oncologic treatment’s tolerance and response being better in well-nourished patients. In this review, literature data on strategies or nutritional interventions will be critically examined, with particular regard to different treatment phases (perioperative, metastatic, and palliative settings), with the aim to draw practical indications for an adequate nutritional support of gastric cancer patients and provide an insight on future directions in nutritional strategies. We extensively analyzed the last 10 years of literature, in order to provide evidence that may fit current clinical practice both in terms of nutritional interventions and oncological treatment. Overall, 137 works were selected: 34 Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs), 12 meta-analysis, 9 reviews, and the most relevant prospective, retrospective and cross-sectional studies in this setting. Eleven ongoing trials have been selected from clinicaltrial.gov as representative of current research. One limitation of our work lies in the heterogeneity of the described studies, in terms of sample size, study procedures, and both nutritional and clinical outcomes. Indeed, to date, there are no specific evidence-based guidelines in this fields, therefore we proposed a clinical algorithm with the aim to indicate an appropriate nutritional strategy for gastric cancer patients.

Prediction Model for Screening Patients at Risk of Malnutrition After Gastric Cancer Surgery

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition after gastrectomy is associated with a poor prognosis; however, no accurate model for predicting post-gastrectomy malnutrition exists. Hence, we conducted a retrospective study to develop a prediction model identifying gastric cancer patients at high risk of malnutrition after gastrectomy.

METHOD

Gastric cancer patients who underwent curative gastrectomy with more than one weight measurement during a 3-year follow-up period were included. Malnutrition was defined as body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m² according to the European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism diagnostic criteria. BMI-loss pattern was analyzed using a group-based trajectory model. A prediction model for malnutrition 6 months after gastrectomy was developed based on significant risk factors, and then validated.

RESULTS

Overall, 1421 patients were examined. The BMI-loss trajectory model showed significant BMI loss at 6 months after gastrectomy. Severe BMI loss (mean 21.5%; n = 109) was significantly associated with the elderly, female sex, higher preoperative BMI, advanced cancer stage, open surgery, total gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y reconstruction, chemotherapy, and postoperative complications (all p < 0.05). Malnutrition 6 months after gastrectomy was observed in 152 (11.9%) of 1281 patients. Preoperative BMI, sex, and type of operation were included in the final prediction model as predictive factors (p < 0.05). The C-index of the developmental set and bootstrap validation of the prediction model was 0.91 (95% confidence interval 0.89-0.94) and 0.91, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The prediction model for the risk of malnutrition 6 months after gastrectomy was accurately developed, with three independent risk factors: low preoperative BMI, female sex, and total or proximal gastrectomy.

Analysis of factors contributing to postoperative body weight change in patients with gastric cancer: based on generalized estimation equation

Aims

The study aimed to explore factors contributing to body weight change over time in gastric cancer patients after gastrectomy, in order to find risk factors to implement nutritional intervention beforehand.

Methods

A cohort of gastric cancer patients who were treated with gastrectomy from January to March 2019 at a university affiliated hospital in Shanghai were consecutively identified in this study. Demographics, disease related information, nutrition knowledge, attitude, and practice score were collected before gastrectomy. In addition, body weight before surgery (T0), body weight at one month (T1), two months (T2), and three months (T3) after gastrectomy were recorded. Generalized estimation equation was used to describe body weight change and analyze factors contributing to body weight change after surgery.

Results

There were 49 patients recruited in the study. Patient body weight decreased by 9.2% at T1 (Wald χ = 271.173, P <0.001), 11.0% at T2 (Wald χ² = 277.267, P <0.001), and 11.4% at T3 compared to baseline at T0 (Wald χ = 284.076, P <0.001). The results of GEE for multivariable analysis showed that surgery type (Wald χ = 6.027, P = 0.014) and preoperative BMI (Wald χ = 12.662, P = 0.005) were contributing factors of body weight change. Compared with distal gastrectomy patients, total gastrectomy patients experienced greater body weight loss (β = 2.8%, P = 0.014). Compared with patients with BMI&λτ; 18.5 kg/m², patients with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²experienced greater body weight loss (β = 4.5% P = 0.026).

Conclusion

Gastric cancer patients experienced significant weight loss during 3 months after gastrectomy. Total gastrectomy and BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²were risk factors to postoperative body weight loss for GC patients. The results suggested hinted that clinician should pay attention to postoperative nutrition status of patient undergoing total gastrectomy and obesity patients.

Comparison of Weight and Body Composition After Gastrectomy Between Elderly and Non-elderly Patients With Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

Body weight, especially lean body mass, significantly decreases after gastrectomy for gastric cancer due to surgical invasion, reduced food intake, and reduced mobility, which can reduce the quality of life and induce associated toxicity or reduce compliance with adjuvant chemotherapy. Such risks can be particularly high in elderly patients with gastric cancer. However, whether or not changes in the weight and body composition differ between elderly and non-elderly patients remains unclear.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study examined patients who underwent curative surgery for gastric cancer between May 2010 and February 2017. Body weight and composition were evaluated by a bioelectrical impedance analyzer within 1 week before surgery, at 1 week after surgery, and at 1 and at 3 months after surgery. Patients were classified as elderly (≥80 years) or non-elderly (<80 years).

RESULTS

Eight-hundred and eighty-eight patients (84 elderly and 804 non-elderly) were entered into the present study. Patient background, surgical and clinicopathological factors, and surgical complications did not significantly differ between the two groups. Body weight loss at 1 week, and at 1 and 3 months after surgery, defined as the decrease from the preoperative value, were -2.8%, -6.5%, and -9.0%, respectively, in the elderly and -3.5%, -6.0%, and -8.1%, respectively, in the non-elderly patients (p=0.111, 0.125, and 0.153, respectively). The corresponding losses of lean body mass were -2.6%, -6.0%, and -6.4%, respectively, in the elderly and -3.5%, -4.9%, and -4.7%, respectively, in the non-elderly patients, with p-values of 0.056, 0.036, and 0.029, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Decreases in lean body mass after gastrectomy were greater in elderly than in non-elderly patients. In order to maintain lean body mass among elderly patients, additional care and treatments are needed.