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Summary Background Attitudes of cancer survivors to nutrition and nutrition care have rarely been captured. A better understanding of their needs based on a review of their experiences would give voice to this patient group (which has rarely been captured) and allow for better planning of nutritional care. Aims To conduct a national survey to determine: (1) survivors' experience in relation to nutrition and diet-related problems, (2) perceived importance of the role of nutrition to cancer survivors, (3) the experience of accessing dietetic support, (4) the sources where survivors get nutrition information, and (5) their use of alternative dietary strategies. Methods Survivors (any adult ever diagnosed with cancer) who had been diagnosed with or treated for cancer in Ireland within the past 5 years, were asked to complete a 25-item paper-based survey at one of 20 different hospital sites in Ireland. The survey was also hosted online on the websites of major cancer charities. Descriptive statistics were used to examine quantitative data. Results In total, 1073 valid responses were received (63% female, mean age 57 years (range 18–88)). Breast cancer was the most common (n = 362), followed by colorectal (n = 121). One third of respondents had metastatic disease. Diet-related problems were reported by 45%. Weight loss was experienced by 44% and amongst those, 42% reported they were ‘unhappy or worried’ by this, while 27% reportedbeing ‘delighted/happy’ with their weight loss. Muscle loss was noted by 52%, with 20% reporting they had noticed ‘a lot’ of muscle loss. Nutrition was rated as ‘very/extremely’ important to cancer care by 89% of respondents, yet 58% reported being asked about dietary issues by their medical team only ‘sometimes’, ‘rarely’ or ‘never’. Only 39% had been assessed/treated by a registered dietitian (RD) and 74% rated their advice/care as ‘very/extremely’ helpful. Worryingly, 39% of survivors with involuntary weight loss, and 29% of survivors on a texture modified diet had not received nutritional care from an RD. Overall, 57% of those who did not see an RD said they wanted more dietetic support (access to a helpline/dietitian/additional reliable information). Of concern, 37% of survivors were following or had tried alternative, unproven dietary strategies (e.g. restrictive diets, herbal remedies, juicing or detoxes), and 32% reported avoiding specific foods, e.g. processed meat or dairy. A majority (56%) felt confused by the often conflicting nutrition information available in the media and offered by people around them. Conclusions While nutrition is considered highly important by cancer survivors and a high proportion experience potentially serious diet-related problems including weight and muscle loss, fewer than half surveyed had access to a dietitian. Over a third had used at least one alternative dietary strategy, and over half felt confused about nutrition. Comprehensive nutritional screening and referral programmes to oncology dietitians need to be implemented in the ambulatory setting in order to identify and facilitate early management of the nutritional concerns of cancer survivors. more...

Purpose To review the conservative and surgical management options of osteoradionecrosis, in particular, highlighting the recent the use of anti-radiation fibrosis drugs (pentoxifylline, tocopherol and clodronate). Material and methods We performed a literature review. The management options were divided into two groups, conservative and surgical management. Results Over the years several treatment options have been proposed including; conservative management (antibiotics, analgesics, oral hygiene), ultrasound therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, surgical resection with reconstruction and more recently the use of anti-radiation fibrosis drugs (pentoxifylline, tocopherol and clodronate). Early or low grade ORN can be managed conservatively using a combination of treatment options. In advanced or refractory cases of ORN (pathological fracture, orocutaneous fistula) surgical treatment, at present, remains the only treatment option available. A new understanding of the pathophysiology of ORN (radiation induced fibroatrophic process) has lead to the development of new therapeutic management regimes. Conclusion In advanced or refractory cases of ORN surgical treatment, including microvascular reconstructive techniques for bone and soft tissue, remains the only option available. more...

This is a case of a patient presenting to his general dental practitioner (GDP) with altered sensation in his lower lip with no obvious cause. Due to a prompt referral, the patient was investigated and diagnosed with an extramedullary presentation of multiple myeloma. A numb lip can present in general dental practice, although this is not common. There are several causes, for example, dental infection or fractured mandible. CPD/Clinical Relevance: It is very important for the dental practitioner to recognize when there could be a potential sinister underlying cause and prompt referral, under the two week rule referral system, is indicated. more...

The equitable provision of home enteral nutrition (HEN) in the community can have a transformative effect on patient experience and family life for adults and children alike. While optimising quality of life in HEN patients can be challenging, the initiation of HEN positively impacts this measure of healthcare provision.1 Quality of life scores have been shown to improve in the weeks after hospital discharge, and HEN is physically well tolerated. However, it may be associated with psychological distress, and sometimes reluctance among HEN patients to leave their homes.2 Globally, HEN can attenuate cumulative projected patient care costs through a reduction in hospital admission and complications including hospital acquired infections.3 In an era where the cost of disease related malnutrition and associated prolonged hospital stay is being tackled in our healthcare systems, the role of HEN is set to expand. This is a treatment which has clear clinical and social benefits, and may restore some independence to patients and their families. Rather than the indications for HEN being focused on specific diagnoses, the provision of months of quality life at home for patients is adequate justification for its prescription.4 Previously, a review of HEN service provision in 39 cases demonstrated that patients want structured follow-up after hospital discharge, and in particular, would like one point of contact for HEN education and discharge.5 Management structures, funding challenges and the need for further education, particularly within the primary care setting may limit optimal use of HEN. The Irish Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (IrSPEN) aims to develop a national guideline document, drawing on international best practice, forming a template and standards for local policy development in the area of HEN service provision, training and follow-up. The first step in guideline development was to investigate patient experience for … more...

ObjectiveThe present study aimed to establish the annual public expenditure arising from the health and social care of patients with diet-related malnutrition (DRM) in the Republic of Ireland.DesignCosts were calculated by (i) estimating the prevalence of DRM in health-care settings derived from age-standardised comparisons between available Irish data and large-scale UK surveys and (ii) applying relevant costs from official sources to estimates of health-care utilisation by adults with DRM. No attempt has been made to estimate separately the costs of DRM and any associated disease, since each can be a cause or consequence of the other. The methods used are adapted from an evaluation of the cost of malnutrition in the UK by the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (2009).SettingsHospitals, nursing homes, out-patient clinics, primary-care clinics and home care.SubjectsAll adult patients receiving hospital in-patient, out-patient or specified community health-care services.ResultsThe annual public health and social care cost associated with adult malnourished patients in Ireland is estimated at over €1·4 billion, representing 10 % of the health-care budget. Most of this cost arises in acute hospital or residential care settings (i.e. 70 %), with nutritional support estimated to account for ConclusionsThe cost associated with the care of patients with DRM is substantial and may rise as the proportion of older people within the population increases, a group at increased risk of DRM. Despite growing pressure on health-care budgets, little attention has been focused on the economic burden associated with DRM in Ireland or the potential for savings arising from improved detection and treatment of those at risk. more...

Background: Although imbalances in dietary intakes can have short and longer term influences on the health of preschool children, few tools exist to quickly and easily identify nutritional risk in otherwise healthy young children. Objectives: To develop and test the validity of a parent-administered questionnaire (NutricheQ) as a means of evaluating dietary risk in young children (12–36 months). Design: Following a comprehensive development process and internal reliability assessment, the NutricheQ questionnaire was validated in a cohort of 371 Irish preschool children as part of the National Preschool Nutrition Survey. Dietary risk was rated on a scale ranging from 0 to 22 from 11 questions, with a higher score indicating higher risk. Results: Children with higher NutricheQ scores had significantly (p more...