Variations in perioperative nutrition care in upper GI cancer: findings from the Australia wide NOURISH study.

Background. Prevention of malnutrition and provision of nutrition support are strongly recommended for patients with upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer to optimise outcomes. Aim. To determine current nutritional status of patients and perioperative nutrition interventions received in the Australian UGI cancer surgery setting. Methods. A prospective point prevalence study was conducted at 27 tertiary hospitals across six states between September 2019 and May 2020. Data on nutritional status (using subjective global assessment) and perioperative nutrition intervention were collected from UGI cancer patients undergoing curative resection. Results. Two hundred patients participated with a mean age of 67±10 years and majority (59%) males. There were 66 (33%) oesophagectomy, 51 (25%) gastrectomy and 83 (42%) pancreatic resections. Malnutrition prevalence was 42% (95% CI 35-49%), with no difference between surgical procedures (P=0.864). Only 59% received dietetics input preoperatively. Patients undergoing pancreatectomy were less likely to receive preoperative dietetics care than oesophagectomy/gastrectomy (43% vs...