Nutritional support in palliative cancer care: quality of life in oral versus tube feeding

Background Nutritional support (NS) offered through oral nutritional supplements (ONS) or enteral nutrition (EN) and its impact on quality of life (QoL) is a controversial topic in patients with cancer receiving palliative care (PC). Aims To compare the QoL of patients without and with use of NS, including ONS or EN in patients with incurable cancer receiving PC. Methods Cross-sectional analysis with patients that were evaluated at PC Unit between June 2021 and February 2023. QoL was assessed using the Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15. Patients were classified into three groups according to the NS: ONS (n=72; 33%), EN (n=61; 28%) and control group (CG) (n=87; 39%), the last one being formed by patients not using NS. Adjusted logistic regression models were used to verify the association of the domains of QoL with the type of NS. Results A total of 220 patients were included, with a median age of 64 (58–70) years, predominantly male (54.1%). The EN group had worse scores in physical function when compared with the ONS group (p=0.037) and appetite loss when compared with the CG (p=0.013). The ONS (OR: 2.70; 95% CI 1.32 to 5.49) and EN groups (OR: 2.61; 95% CI 1.24 to 5.49) were independently associated with a higher chance of presenting appetite loss in relation to the CG. Conclusion In general, there was no difference in the QoL of patients using NS when compared with patients not using NS. However, patients using NS have more chance of having appetite loss.