Assessing the need for multimodal care in anorexia and cachexia patients with advanced cancer referred to palliative care: a secondary analysis of a multicenter survey in Japan.

Purpose: There are no methods for assessing the need for multimodal care in cancer cachexia. We examined nine components in evaluating needs among advanced cancer patients.

Methods: This was a self-administered survey.

Feasibility and efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for the surgical stabilization of rib fractures: a single-center retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: Surgical fixation of traumatic multiple rib fractures is becoming more common; video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is reportedly useful in such cases. Therefore, we aimed to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of VATS for surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF).

Methods: We conducted a single-center, medical record-based retrospective cohort study including 52 patients with traumatic multiple rib fractures who underwent SSRF with or without VATS.

A comparative evaluation of the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition vs the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment in assessing nutrition status in patients diagnosed with terminal cancer: A retrospective study.

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) as a nutrition screening tool and the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria as a diagnostic framework in a cohort of patients with terminal cancer. This single-institution, retrospective cohort study included adults who were diagnosed with cancer and a predicted life expectancy <3 months intolerant to anticancer treatment who received palliative care between October 2023 and March 2024. Of 104 patients screened, 78 (54% male) were included in the analysis and 26 were excluded because of a terminal condition that precluded completion of the PG-SGA.

Factors associated with quality of life in post-prostatectomy patients with cancer who experience lower urinary tract symptoms: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Radical prostatectomy is the standard of care for prostate cancer. Identification of the association between post-operative lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life (QOL) is critical for enhancing patient self-management.

Aims: This study identified the factors associated with the QOL of patients with cancer post-prostatectomy.

Association between baseline inflammation and the effectiveness of nutritional support among terminally ill patients with cancer: A secondary analysis of a multicenter prospective cohort study.

Objectives: Inflammatory status may influence the response to nutritional support. We aimed to determine associations between calorie intake and survival considering serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels among advanced cancer patients.

Methods: Data on characteristics and CRP levels were obtained at baseline.

The Role of Registered Dietitians in Cancer Palliative Care: Responsibilities, Challenges, and Interdisciplinary Collaboration-A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Registered dietitians (RDs) in palliative care help maintain patients' quality of life by providing personalized nutritional support that alleviates eating-related distress. This study aimed to clarify the role of RDs in palliative care by examining their responsibilities and challenges in caring for cancer patients. A nationwide mailed survey was conducted in 2022, focusing on RDs involved in cancer palliative care.

Sex-related differences in eating-related distress experienced by patients with advanced cancer.

Background: Sex-related differences in eating-related distress (ERD) experienced by cancer patients have not previously been clarified.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter survey among advanced cancer patients referred to palliative care. Data on patient characteristics were collected from the electronic medical records, and data on measurement outcomes were obtained from a questionnaire.

Clinical Implications of the C-Reactive Protein-Albumin Ratio as a Prognostic Marker in Terminally Ill Patients with Cancer.

Few studies investigated the clinical implications of C-reactive protein-albumin ratio (CAR) in palliative care. To determine the association of CAR with overall survival among terminally ill patients with cance. Datasets were obtained through two multicenter prospective cohort studies.

Association of Systemic Inflammation with Dietary Intake, Nutrition Impact Symptoms, and Eating-Related Distress Among Patients with Advanced Cancer.

Background: Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are correlated with patient outcomes in cancer. This study aimed to determine associations between the CRP level and the dietary intake, symptoms, and eating-related distress (ERD).

Methods: We conducted a multicenter survey among advanced cancer patients.

Low handgrip strength as a marker of severity in the diagnostic criteria for cancer cachexia.

Background & Aims: The diagnostic criteria for cachexia, as proposed by the Asian Working Group for Cachexia (AWGC), include weight loss, a low body mass index, and additional factors such as a low handgrip strength (HGS), anorexia, or elevated CRP levels. This study aimed to evaluate the significance of low HGS as a diagnostic criterion in patients with advanced cancer.

Methods: This single-centre, retrospective cohort study was conducted between April 2019 and March 2023.

Factors Associated with Multimodal Care Practices for Cancer Cachexia among Pharmacists.

Pharmacists' roles in cachexia care are unclear. This study aimed to clarify the knowledge and practice of cachexia care and identify factors related to the practice of cachexia care among pharmacists. Information on the knowledge and practice of cachexia care was obtained.

International Survey on Consensus Definition on Nutrition Impact Symptoms in Patients with Cancer.

A self-reported electronic questionnaire to advocate for a consensus definition of nutrition impact symptoms (NISs) was conducted in a diverse group of international healthcare providers. The questionnaire had 2 components: the definition of NISs and the relevance of each symptom as a NIS. Agreement on the tentative definition and 24 symptoms were evaluated using a seven-point Likert scale.

Anamorelin for the Treatment of Cancer Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome.

Purpose Of Review: The following review will highlight the development of anamorelin to treat cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome (CACS) including the potential benefits, limitations, and future directions.

Recent Findings: Ghrelin, a 28-amino acid peptide hormone, is secreted by the stomach mucosa and regulates appetite, promotes lipogenesis, increases body weight, improves gastric motility, reduces catabolic wasting and inflammation. Several randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials evaluating anamorelin, a ghrelin agonist, for the treatment of CACS have reported improvement in appetite and body composition including both lean body and fat mass; however, most studies noted no improvement in physical function as assessed by measuring non-dominant hand-grip strength.

Impacts of fluid retention on prognostic abilities of cachexia diagnostic criteria in cancer patients with refractory cachexia.

Background & Aims: The international cancer cachexia criteria with a cutoff of 5% weight loss (WL) was proposed in Western patients. The Asian Working Group for Cachexia (AWGC) developed new criteria in Asian patients. The AWGC criteria are not cancer-specific and employ a cutoff of 2% WL.

Associations of nutrition impact symptoms with dietary intake and eating-related distress in patients with advanced cancer.

Background & Aims: There is no definition of nutrition impact symptoms (NISs) in cancer care. Moreover, there is a lack of evidence on the associations of NISs with dietary intake and eating-related distress (ERD) in advanced cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the associations of NISs with dietary intake and ERD in patients with advanced cancer.

Investigating the efficacy and safety of olanzapine prophylaxis for opioid-induced nausea and vomiting (JORTC-PAL20): a study protocol for an open-label, single-arm exploratory study.

Introduction: In opioid therapy for cancer pain, opioid-induced nausea and vomiting (OINV) occur in 20%-40% of patients during initial opioid treatment or increasing opioid doses. OINV result in failure to achieve pain relief due to poor opioid adherence. Therefore, antiemetics are used to prevent OINV, but their efficacy and safety in this context have not yet been fully elucidated.

Fluid retention and weight loss in refractory cancer cachexia.

Objectives: It is unknown to what extent the fluid retention (FR) status disrupts the detection of weight loss rate (WLR) in adult patients with advanced cancer. This study aimed to determine the association of FR status with WLR.

Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study.

Effectiveness of antipsychotics for managing agitated delirium in patients with advanced cancer: a secondary analysis of a multicenter prospective observational study in Japan (Phase-R).

Purpose: Delirium is a common and serious comorbidity in patients with advanced cancer, necessitating effective management. Nonetheless, effective drugs for managing agitated delirium in patients with advanced cancer remain unclear in real-world settings. Thus, the present study aimed to explore an effective pharmacotherapy for this condition.

Holistic multimodal care for patients with cancer cachexia and their family caregivers.

Patients with cancer cachexia frequently suffer from physical symptoms and psychological symptoms of illness, which can lead to emotional distress in patients and family caregivers. Although there is no standard care to manage cancer cachexia despite its high prevalence and negative impact on quality of life in patients and family caregivers, there is accumulating evidence showing the importance of holistic multimodal care for cancer cachexia. However, there is no agreement on the essential components of holistic multimodal care.

Validity of the diagnostic criteria from the Asian Working Group for Cachexia in advanced cancer.

Background: Recently, the Asian Working Group for Cachexia (AWGC) published a consensus statement on diagnostic criteria for cachexia in Asians. We aimed to validate the criteria in adult patients in Japan with advanced cancer.

Methods: We conducted a single-institution retrospective cohort study between April 2021 and October 2022.

Life-cycle analysis of environmental loads from household septic systems in Japan focusing on effluent water discharge.

Various types of small-scale wastewater treatment systems are widely used in rural areas, and life-cycle assessment (LCA) should be performed to evaluate their environmental performance. In this study, septic systems were first classified into five categories based on their wastewater treatment performance. Effluent samples from actual systems were collected, and their water qualities were determined.