Aim

To identify the Head and Neck (H&N) patient’s characteristics that are likely to lead to non compliance with nutrition prescription.

Methodology

Files were audited retrospectivley. All patients who have commenced radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy to the H&N area between 1st September 2011 to 31st August 2012 were included in the study. Information on demographic, treatment plan and compliance with nutrition prescription were collected.

Result
There are in total 51 patients included in the audit. Characteristics which shown to be related to non compliant were: younger age, male, higher BMI, higher PG-SGA score, pre or post RT surgery, RT to both side, more advance staging (stage III and IV), NESB and no family support (although the results were not statistically significant). More advance staging (OR = 4.156) and family support (OR=5.7647) have a relatively high OR; although it may not be statistically significant, the result may indicate clinical significance. The non compliant group has a higher percentage of weight loss than the compliant group (p=0.0076). Patient’s nutrition status also deteriorated more (indicated by increase in PG-SGA score) in the non compliant group.

Conclusion

Patients who were non compliant with nutritional recommendation has a poor nutritional outcome. Certain characteristics were shown to be related to the degree of compliance.

Implication

It is important to further investigate barrier for patient to be compliant with the treatment. In order to identify accurately about the barrier and appropriate strategies, there is a need to conduct qualitative study to gather patient’s perception and experiences through interview.