Dietitian-Led Interventions for Sarcopenia Management in Cancer Patients: A Quality Improvement Initiative

Introduction:
Sarcopenia, the progressive loss of muscle mass and function, is a common complication in cancer patients that can negatively impact treatment outcomes and quality of life.

Aim:

This quality improvement project aimed to assess the effectiveness of dietitian-led interventions in managing sarcopenia among cancer patients and to establish best practices for nutritional care.

Methodology:
A six-month prospective study was conducted on 100 cancer patients at various stages of treatment. Patients underwent initial screening for sarcopenia using the SARC-F questionnaire and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Dietitians implemented tailored nutritional interventions, including high-protein diets (1.2-1.5 g/kg/day), oral nutritional supplements, and counseling on physical activity. Muscle mass, strength, and physical performance were assessed at baseline and after three and six months. Patient-reported outcomes were collected using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire.

Results:
After six months, 72% of patients showed improvements in muscle mass and strength. Adherence to dietitian-prescribed nutritional plans was associated with a 40% reduction in sarcopenia progression compared to standard care. Patients receiving dietitian-led interventions reported significant improvements in fatigue levels and overall quality of life. The integration of nutritional care with exercise recommendations led to synergistic benefits, with a 25% increase in physical performance scores.

Conclusion:
This quality improvement project demonstrates the significant impact of dietitian-led interventions in managing sarcopenia among cancer patients. The implementation of targeted nutritional strategies, combined with physical activity guidance, resulted in improved muscle health and quality of life. These findings support the integration of specialized dietetic services as a standard of care in oncology settings to effectively address sarcopenia and enhance overall patient outcomes.