Nutritional Assessment of Patients with Head and Neck Cancer in North-East India and Dietary Intervention

Aims and objectives

• To devise an affordable diet appropriate for head and neck cancer patients having poor nutrition in North–Eastern region.

• To assess the role of clinical and laboratory nutritional indices in the evaluation of malnutrition.

Inclusion criteria

Histologically confirmed cases of squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck region in patients of 40–70 years age-group.

Exclusion criteria

Patients requiring total parenteral nutrition or unable to take food orally and patients with cardiac, renal, hepatic or other systemic diseases. Patients with premalignant lesions and lymphoma of head and neck.

The nutritional status of the patients in HNCA group and the control group were assessed from history, physical examination, anthropomorphic measurements and laboratory tests. The anthropomorphic parameters considered in the study were: Percentage of body weight loss, Body mass index (BMI), triceps skin fold thickness (TST), mid-arm circumference (MAC). The percentage of body weight loss was calculated as (New weight/Old weight × 100) – 100. With subjects wearing light clothes, body weight and body height were measured to the nearest 0.1 kg and 0.001 m, respectively. BMI was calculated as weight (kg)/height (mts)². Measuring tape and weighing scale was used for height and weight measurement. For TST, the skin thickness over the tricep muscle was measured using a self retaining speculum, measured upto the nearest 0.2 mm. Average of three readings were considered. MAC was measured on the left arm, using standard measuring tape in the mid-point of the line joining the acromio-clavicular joint and olecranon fossa.

Laboratory parameters considered were Hb%, hematocrit, RBC count and total lymphocyte count (TLC), done using Sysmex 500i Autoanalyser machine. Serum transferrin and serum prealbumin were measured using Immulyte autoanalyser. Serum albumin were done using photometric color test using Automated Wet Chemistry Analyser (Beckman Coulter Au 400) and Serum Total Protein using Olympus System Calibrator. Late hypersensitivity skin tests (PPD) was done by injecting intradermally 0.1ml of PPD containing 5TU on the flexor aspect of the forearm which was read at 72 hours. Induration of diameter ≥10 mm was considered positive (good response), 5 mm or less as negative (poor response) and 6–9 mm as equivocal. We also calculated the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI = 10 Alb. +0.005 TLC) where Alb. is serum albumin level (g/100 ml) and Nutritional Assessment Index (NAI = 2.64 AC + 0.6 PA + 3.76 RBP + 0.017 PPD - 53.8) where AC is mid-arm circumference; PA is prealbumin and RBP is retinol-binding protein. NAI was categorised into three groups, good (NAI greater than or equal to 60), intermediate (greater than or equal to 40), and poor (less than 40).[4]

The food taken by the patients during the study were according to a specific diet chart [Table 1] based of daily requirement of protein, calorie and fat appropriate for cancer patients. This diet was administered during the entire treatment period of chemotherapy and or radiotherapy. All the nutritional parameters were measured once at the start of treatment and at the end of treatment. Importance was laid on including foods which were locally available, cheaper, easier to cook and ingest. Data were recorded in Diet Questionnaire and Clinical proformas. The experimental data obtained were analysed using Student's paired t–test and Tukey-Kramer Multiple Comparisons test and significance determined. This study has the Institutional Ethical Clearance for study.

Table 1 Study diet chart and with cost price (approx)

Demographic pattern

Out of the total 26 cases of head and neck cancer taken up for study, 20 cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria and was offered the Study Diet. The prevalence of malnutrition was 76.92%, seen most commonly in 51–60 years age – group with median age of 56 years and male:female ratio of 13:7. In the control group, male female ratio is 7:3. The commonest cancer site was orophayngeal cancer (10 cases) followed by 5 cases each of esophageal and laryngeal cancer. Out of the 6 HNSCC cases excluded from the study, co-morbidities was seen in 3 cases (11.5%): 2 cases had hepatic disorder and 1 case had pulmonary tuberculosis. The remaining three cases dropped out of study due to non-compliance.

Diet composition

The composition of carbohydrate, protein and fat in the study diet was 434 g, 133 g and 81 g respectively while that calculated from the usually taken regular daily diet was 306 g, 63 g and 20.5 g in average respectively. The calories obtained from carbohydrate, protein and fat from the study diet was 1737 Kcal, 534 Kcal, 634 Kcal respectively, making a total of 2906 Kcal. In the non-study diet its 1257 Kcal, 245 Kcal, 185 Kcal with a total of 1687 Kcal. In the diet of control subjects, the availability of carbohydrate, protein and fat was 380 g, 77.7 g and 31.6 g respectively, giving a total calorie of 2103.7 Kcal. The approximate cost per day calculated for the study diet was Rs 147 [Table 1].

Clinical assessment of nutrition

Pallor and geographic tongue was noted in 50% of cases (N = 10). Calf tenderness and dry eye suggesting Vit A deficiency was found in 13 cases. In the control group, pallor, loss of appetite and skin changes were seen in 30% of cases each [Figure 1].

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Figure 1

Clinical presentation

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Anthropomorphic assessment

1) Body weight: 60% of HNCA patients having study diet showed statistically significant gain in percentage of body weight. The average gain in weight was 3.5%. Whereas, 30% cases had loss of body weight with 10% showing no change. 2) BMI: Statistically significant improvement in BMI was seen in 22.22% cases in post study diet. The mean BMI in HNCA group was 15.26. 3) TST: 64.3% of cases improved after receiving the study diet which was similar to the control group (66.6%). These results were also statistically significant. 4) MAC: 15% of HNCA cases had normal MAC which showed no change post diet [Table 2].

Table 2 Students t-test results showing anthropometric parameters in HNCA patients

Laboratory parameters

1) Anemia: Twelve cases (60%) had low Hb levels showing marked anemia in 7 cases and early anemia in 5 cases. After dietary intervention with the study diet, Hb level showed improvement in 15 cases but was not enough to overcome marked anemia [Figure 2]. 2) Serum transferrin: Iron deficiency was seen in eight patients but no significant increase was noted in post study-diet. 3) Serum total protein: 75% cases showed hypoproteinemia out of which 33.33% cases improved after having study diet. 4) PPD Skin Test: Induration of less than 6 mm (immunocompromised state) was seen in 85% cases. After receiving the study diet, there were lesser number of immunocompromised patients (55%) [Table 3].

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Figure 2

Hemoglobin level (***: P<.001, extremely significant)

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Table 3 Students t-test with P value showing laboratory parameters in HNCA patients

Nutritional status indices

1) NAI: Only 10% cases had good nutrition which increased to 45% after having the study diet [Figures 3 and 4].

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Figure 3

NAI scores in three groups of patients

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Figure 4

Tukey-Kramer Multiple Comparisons tests on NAI

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2) Prognostic Nutritional Index: The mean PNI in HNCA group was 66.78 ± 18.91 which improved to 74.63 ± 16.19 after having the study diet. The PNI for control group was 69.24 ± 17.73. 70% cases had score of <40 that is, poor nutrition whereas after starting the study diet, cases with poor nutrition (score of <40) dropped to 40% in HNCA group and 30% in control group. However, this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0369).

Dietary status

As per Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) reports, the recommended approximate total energy contribution by protein, fat and carbohydrate in an Indian diet are 7–15%, 10–30% and 65–80% respectively, with a daily energy requirement for a man of 60 kg with moderate activity of 2425 Kcal/day. But our study showed that the HNCA patients were taking about 1685 Kcal through their usual diet. In order to correct this deficit, the diet devised for our HNCA patients was constituted maintaining the protein, carbohydrate and fat ratio so as to provide a total energy of about 2900 kcal [Table 4]. Protein: The ICMR recommended protein requirement for a normal Indian adult is 1.0 g protein/kg body weight.[16] We doubled this to meet the requirements of HNCA patient of our study. High protein foods like meat, milk, egg, fish, pulses, cereals and soyabean were added in their diet. These foods doubled the energy supply maintaining the total energy contribution from protein at 7–15% along with supplying essential vitamins and minerals. The foods were palatable, digestible, affordable and easily available. Milk was added as it is the most complete of all foods. Fat: We also increased the content of fat from 20.4 g to 70.5 g per day by using groundnut oil in food preparation. Ground nut oil is easily available, cheaper and provides considerable PUFA, linoleic acid and essential fatty acid (EFA) which are precursors for growth and reduces cholesterol and low density lipoproteins (LDL). We followed the ICMR daily recommendation that more than or equal to 20% of total energy should come from fat. Safflower and sunflower oil were not used due to their high cost. Fish which is widely available here was included in our diet as it provided protein in addition to fish oil which is a high source of MUFA, PUFA and Vit K. Nutritional intervention with Fish Oil per day provided a benefit over standard of care, resulting in the maintenance of weight and muscle mass during chemotherapy. Our diet maintained the WHO recommendation that 50% of fat should come from vegetable oils. Carbohydrate: The carbohydrate intake for the HNCA group was increased by 129 g following the ICMR recommended daily intake of 50–70% of total energy from carbohydrates. Cereals like rice and wheat constituted the bulk of the diet which also supplied B group Vitamins, minerals and protein. Among fruits, banana was chosen as it is easily available, cheap and has good nutritive value [Table 5]. Micronutrients: The Vitamin A requirement was fulfilled from milk, fish and green leafy vegetables which protects against epithelial cancer. The study diet also had other vitamins, minerals and trace elements like zinc, copper, Cobalt, Chromium, Mo and antioxidants [Table 5] so that no food supplements or vitamin preparations needed to be prescribed to the HNCA group during the study period.

Table 4 Comparative composition and calorie contribution from carbohydrate, protein and fat

Table 5 Nutritive value in study group (per 100 gms)

Anthropomorphic assessment of nutrition

Mick et al., reported that for Stage III/IV head and neck cancer treated with multiple modalities—the strongest independent predictor of survival was pretreatment weight loss.[17] We found that both body weight and BMI increased in HNCA group after having the study diet. More than 60% cases showed an average gain in body weight of 3.5% indicating positive nutritional outcome after following our study diet. This was due to increased supply of protein which helped in body building, repair and maintenance. The mean BMI of patients in our study is similar to that of Sanz Oritz (2008), 15.26 and 22.1 respectively.[9] Although, Bruzgielewicz A et al., using BMI measures reported malnutrition in 41% patients,[18] some studies did highlight the limitations of using BMI as the sole measure of nutritional status.[1920]

The increase in TST seems to be a result of increased fat content in study diet but there was no corresponding change in MAC in HNCA group. Both these parameters were not statistically significant. Turedi A and Garófolo A reported that TST measurement was better in both detecting and establishing malnutrition.[1321]

Laboratory assessment

The improvement in anemia seen in HNCA patients showed that the study diet satisfactorily supplemented the iron loss and serum transferrin level. There was also significant improvement in protein status as evidenced with increase in serum albumin. The increased dietary protein helped to maintain osmotic pressure and synthesis of plasma proteins and hormones. Low serum albumin is a powerful predictor of surgically related morbidity and thus is of great value in the clinical setting. It is an important part of the general evaluation. Albumin is useful in the assessment of advanced HNCA patients at diagnosis and for stratifying patients taking part in randomized trials.[22] There has also been an improvement in immunity status from the study diet. The well-established interaction between malnutrition and infection seems to be due to modifications of the immunological defense observed in protein-energy malnutrition causing impaired immuno-competence, decreased cell-mediated immunity (anergy)[23] and depressed T-cell proliferation. Malnutrition also decreases the synthesis of acute phase proteins which helps in survival during stress, infection and injury.

Nutritional indices

The improvement in NAI score was significant indicating that the dietary intervention improved the nutritional status from 10 to 45% cases. However, the decrease in malnutrition level as assessed by PNI was found to be not significant. Although Iwasa et al., (1983) proposed the use of NAI for assessing postoperative complication and nutrition, our study reports its first use for nutritional assessment of HNCA patients. Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) is widely used method in oncology for esophageal cancer,[24] but our study finds NAI as a better tool for assessment than PNI. Considering the various outcome parameters, we are of opinion that the study diet improved the nutritional status of HNCA patients. It provided both macro and micro-nutrients from food that are easily available at a cost of about Rs. 147 per day which is affordable for the patients of this region.

Limitation of this study

We encountered difficulties in enrolling greater number of patients as because this study calls for greater motivation from the HNCA patients to follow a particular diet during their treatment and also many HNCA patients presented late in their disease or dropped out during treatment owing to their inability to take foods orally. Therefore, further multicentric studies on this subject is required in future.

Financial support and sponsorship

Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi.

Conflict of interest

There are no conflict of interest.