Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Nutritional data in NETs is lacking. There are a range of gastrointestinal issues which can be related to the NET, treatment, surgical intervention, or pre-existing diseases¹. Many of these can have nutritional consequences or be improved through altering diet with the support of a specialist dietitian.

From October 2018, a gastrointestinal specialist dietitian joined the weekly clinic for 12 months. The aim of the service evaluation was to assess the impact of dietetic input on patient outcome data.

Methods: This was a service evaluation. Referrals were assessed by the NET dietitian and outcomes were selected using a dietetics outcome framework. Patients were reviewed in clinic or on a telephone consultation. Statistical tests were unable to be used due to the number of patients seen.

Results: 35 patients had outcome measures identified and reviewed over the 12 months. 78% of total outcomes were achieved, 4% were partially achieved and 18% not achieved.

Discussion: The results of this show that outcomes were achieved or partially achieved by most patients. From the results of this service evaluation, and the common nutrition-related problems that patients with NETs encounter, dietetics should be a core member of the MDT to improve patients' outcomes, quality of life and to allow specialist dietetic intervention.

Conclusion: Specialist dietetic input as part of a NET MDT should be recommended as it is effective at improving patients’ symptoms and nutritional status.

Reference:

1. Sagar V, Cooper S, Johnson J, Shetty S, Shah T. Gastrointestinal manifestations of neuroendocrine tumours: their investigation and management. Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2017;93(1102):494–497.