Abstract
Aim: 1) To reduce the occurrence of CANCER RELATED FATIGUE (CRF) in cancer patients, by correcting their nutritional intake. 2) To reduce the dependency over NSAIDs for myalgia relief.
Materials & Methods: Initially patients were assessed for prevalence of CRF, with FATIGUE SEVERITY ASSESSMENT (FSS) QUESTIONNAIRE. FSS scoring >4 were chosen for study. Total sample size was 363.For 167 patients, their nutrition was specially designed with dietitian`s consultation & with reference to ESPEN cancer nutrition requirement protocols. Daily requirements were almost given to the maximum possible extent. They were strictly monitored to follow that diet chart. Balance 196 patients were allowed in their routine diet. At the end of their chemo and RT, (7-8 WEEKS after their initial assessment roughly) all the patients (363) were once again assessed with FSS questionnaire. Both the old and new FSS scoring were compared and analyzed for fatigue relief and subjective well being.
Results: We found cancer related fatigue reduced in severity in 74% of patients in nutrition designed wing. Only 8% of patients showed reduced fatigue when their nutrition was unscheduled.
Conclusion: Correctly programmed nutritional support to patients with cancer, reduces the occurrence of CRF to a significant extent.
Keywords: Cancer related fatigue, nutritional assessment
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Corresponding Author
Dr R. Giridharan
Madras Medical College
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DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i3.24
