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Quantifying the impact of standardized assessment and symptom management tools on symptoms associated with cancer-induced anorexia cachexia syndrome
Palliative Medicine, 10/05/09

Hawkins C et al. – We conclude that patients with ACS are recognised late in their disease and have a considerable burden of active symptoms. A structured approach to assessment and management has a significant impact on symptom burden

Methods

Symptom management strategies were instigated.
Follow-up SCC scores collected at 2 and 4 weeks

Results

40 out of 79 patients referred recruited
29/79 (36.7%) were too unwell or died prior to consent
PG-SGA tool revealed 250 active symptoms associated with ACS
Total PG-SGA score above 9 for all patients
Predominant interventions involved simple dietary advice and prescription of artificial saliva, mouthwash and prokinetic antiemetics
Median total SCC score improved sequentially from 11 at baseline, to 7 and 4 at first and second review