Nutrient Intakes and Gastrointestinal Symptoms Among Esophagogastric Cancer Survivors up to 5 Years Post-Surgery

Abstract

A cross-sectional analysis explored nutritional intakes and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms among esophagogastric cancer survivors up to 12, 13–36, and 37+ months post-surgery. Participants were identified from the Upper GI Cancer Registry at St James’ Hospital, Ireland. The Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire, European Prospective Investigation of Cancer Food Frequency Questionnaire, World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) Score, and Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale assessed malnutrition risk, nutritional intake, adherence to (secondary) cancer prevention recommendations, and GI symptoms, respectively. Most (82.5%, n33) participants (n40) were male. Mean age was 65.5 ± 9.3 years. Time post-surgery ranged from 6-62 months. Half (50.0%, n20) had a BMI in the healthy range. A quarter (27.5%, n11) were at risk of malnutrition. Intakes of meat and meat products exceeded recommendations and intakes of fruits, vegetables, and fiber were below recommendations, with no significant between-group differences. The mean WCRF/AICR score was 3.6 ± 1.1, indicating adherence to 3.6 of 7 cancer prevention recommendations. It was not significantly different between subgroups. Minor to mild GI discomfort was reported, with no significant between-group differences in symptoms. As rates of long-term survivorship continue to increase, survivors must be supported to sustain behaviors that enhance quality of life and reduce secondary cancer risk.

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the assistance and support of the Wellcome Trust/HRB Clinical Research Facility at St James’ Hospital in providing a dedicated environment for the conduct of high-quality clinical research activities.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Author Contributions

JH, EMG, SLD, LON, JOS, and JVR contributed to the conception and design of the study. AEB, SLD, EMG, and LON contributed to the analysis and interpretation of the data. AEB drafted the manuscript. AEB, SLD, EMG, and LON critically revised the manuscript for intellectual content. All authors were involved in the final approval of the version of the manuscript to be published. All authors agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Ethical Approval

Ethical approval was granted by the St James’ Hospital/Tallaght Hospital Joint Research Ethics Committee.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [AEB], upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Health Research Board under grant HRA-POR-2014-535.