Abstract
We aimed in this study to examine the effect of oral nutritional interventions in patients with head and neck cancer and their nutritional outcomes. Randomized controlled study was implemented on 162 patients with head and neck cancer who were malnourished or considered to be at risk of malnutrition. They were divided into 2 groups, group 1(N79) patients (48.8%) whom received nutritional counselling and routine nutritional care, and group 2 (N83) patients (51.2%) whom received nutritional counselling and oral nutritional supplement (ONS) group. All patients were prospectively followed for three months. Nutritional counselling was provided to every patient in both groups before the start of (Radiotherapy or/and chemotherapy) in order to provide the estimated requirements of proteins and calories, the total daily requirements of energy were measured at baseline for both groups. ONS group received biscuit energy-dense, high-protein, omega-3 enriched oral formula providing 440 kilocalories, 13.9 g of protein, 10.3g fat and 3.4 g omega-3 fatty acids in each 100gm, divided into small portions between meals. Anthropometric measurements including weight, height, and body mass index before and after three months of counselling and supplement. ONS group showed significant increment of 48 % (P <0.01) in mean body weight compared with control group1 (4.8 kg versus 2.5 kg) after three months. Nutritional supplements with biscuit formula significantly improved body weight and energy intake compared with routine nutritional care in head and neck cancer patients.