Impact of perioperative high-protein nutritional support on postoperative outcomes in the treatment of primary lung cancer: Russian prospective multicenter comparative study (NUTRILUNC-study)

BACKGROUND: Up to 60% of lung cancer pts experience weight loss. Prevalence of sarcopenia in patients (pts) with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is about 43% and is an independent predictor of worse overall survival. It was shown that nutritional support improves outcomes in pts with cancer. AIM: To evaluate impact of perioperative nutritional support on surgical treatment outcomes of patients with NSCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with primary NSCLC (n=112, 69 males), aged 57,2±8,2, awaiting lung surgery and being at risk of malnutrition (Nutritional Risk Screening Assessment 2002 score ≥3) were randomized into 2 groups. Study group (n=55) received oral nutritional support (Nutridrink Compact Protein, Nutricia LLC), 250 ml/d (36 g of protein, 612 kcal) for 14 d before and 14 d after surgery in addition to standard diet. Control group (n=57) had a standard diet. The number of respiratory complications after surgery, length of hospitalization, anthropometric, functional, laboratory parameters, quality of life (according to Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30) were assessed. Results were presented as mean ± standard deviation. Differences were considered significant at p ≤0.05. RESULTS: In the study group there were fewer respiratory complications (p 0.01), and a shorter length of hospitalization (p=0.03). Body weight in the study group did not change significantly, while in the control group it decreased (0.15±3.7 kg versus loss of 3.47±3.6 kg). Results of six-minute walk test and hand grip dynamometry were higher in the study group then in the control group (411.8±56.0 m versus 383.2±52.1 m; 33.5±8.4 kg versus 27.1±6.8 kg). Quality of life was better in the study group, p 0.05. The total protein and albumin levels were higher in the study group (70.9±5.6 g/l versus 63.1±4.0 g/l; 38.5±5.8 g/l versus 33.2±3.0 g/l). One patient in study group experienced 1st grade diarrhea. CONCLUSION: In patients with NSCLC at risk of malnutrition perioperative nutritional support with high protein oral nutritional support has a positive effect on surgical treatment outcomes.