title: Nutrition intervention approaches to reduce malnutrition in oncology patients: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Malnutrition is a very common problem in oncology patients and is associated with many negative consequences including poorer prognosis, quality of life and survival. However, malnutrition in oncology patients is often overlooked although there is growing evidence showing that it can be prevented or reduced through nutrition intervention. This paper aims to provide an updated review on the effectiveness of different nutrition intervention approaches on nutrition status outcomes in oncology patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published between 1994 and 2014 which examined the effects of nutrition intervention approaches--in particular, nutrition counselling (NC), oral nutrition supplements (ONS) and tube feeding (TF)--on nutrition status outcomes of oncology patients were identified and reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen papers from 11 RCTs with a total of 1077 participants were included. The intervention approaches included NC (four studies), NC + ONS (five studies), ONS (three studies) and TF (three studies). The various results suggest that NC with or without ONS was associated with consistent improvements in several nutrition status outcomes. On the other hand, ONS and TF were associated with inconsistent improvements in few aspects of nutrition status outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The referral of oncology patients for NC is recommended given the strong evidence of its beneficial effects on the prevention and reduction of malnutrition. Other forms of nutrition support including ONS and TF may then be included if deemed suitable and necessary for the individual.
authors.affiliation: Food Science and Technology Programme, Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
authors.forename: Jia Li Charmaine
authors.initials: JLC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Food Science and Technology Programme, Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
authors.forename: Lai Peng
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Leong
authors.affiliation: Dietetics Department, National University Hospital, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Main Building, Singapore, 119074, Singapore. su_lin_lim@nuhs.edu.sg.|School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. su_lin_lim@nuhs.edu.sg.
authors.forename: Su Lin
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Lim
mesh_terms: D003376:Counseling; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D018529:Nutritional Support; D011788:Quality of Life
keywords: Cancer; Nutrition counselling; Nutrition intervention; Nutrition status; Oral nutrition supplements; Tube feeding