title: Home parenteral nutrition improves quality of life and nutritional status in patients with cancer: a French observational multicentre study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Malnutrition is a predictor of poor outcomes in patients with cancer. Little is known about the benefit of nutritional support in these patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) on quality of life (Qol) in cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed an observational prospective study to determine the impact of HPN on Qol in a population of patients with heterogeneous cancer. Physicians, patients and family members had to complete a questionnaire before HPN administration and 28 days after the course of HPN. Qol was evaluated using the self-administered questionnaire FACT-G.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We included 767 patients with cancer of whom 437 ended the study. Mean patient age was 63±11.4 years and 60.5% were men. Primary gastrointestinal cancer was reported in 50% of patients and 65.3% were presenting metastases. Malnutrition was reported in 98.3%. After 28 days of HPN intake, significant improvement was observed in the Qol (49.95±5.82 vs. 48.35±5.01 at baseline, p<0.0001). The mean weight, serum albumin and the nutrition risk index had also improved significantly. Most patients (78%) had perceived a positive impact of the HPN. A significant improvement in patient's well-being was perceived also by family members and physicians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that preventing and correcting malnutrition using HPN in patients with cancer might have a significant benefit on their well-being. Randomized controlled studies are required to confirm this finding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Henri Mondor Hospital, Créteil, France, stephane.culine@sls.aphp.fr.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Culine
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chambrier
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tadmouri
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Senesse
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Seys
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Radji
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rotarski
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balian
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dufour
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D018529:Nutritional Support; D016331:Parenteral Nutrition, Home / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires