Brown, J.K. (2002). A systematic review of the evidence on symptom management of cancer-related anorexia and cachexia. Oncology Nursing Forum, 29, 517–532.
To review the studies regarding cancer-related anorexia and cachexia symptom management and to make recommendations for future directions
A literature search was conducted using the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, CancerLit, CINAHL, Embase, CRISP, EBM Reviews: Best Evidence, and dissertation abstracts.
All studies focused on increasing food intake. Studies evaluated included:
Weight, appetite, and well-being were improved with progestational agents, with megestrol acetate having the most supporting evidence. All nonpharmacologic RCTs reported improved caloric intake resulting from nutritional counseling and oral liquid supplements. The meta-analysis concluded that insufficient evidence existed at the time to recommend any of the nursing interventions.
Patients with cancer should be screened at diagnosis and reevaluated at regular intervals for current and potential nutritional problems. If nutritional screening identifies an at-risk patient, a comprehensive nutritional assessment should be completed. A valid screening tool is needed.