THE QUANTITATIVE EFFECT OF NUTRITION SUPPORT ON QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN OUTPATIENTS

One hundred thirty-one poorly rehabilitated patients with chronic dise ase, presenting sequentially to a nutrition support clinic, were divid ed into those with a body mass index of less then the desirable range of 20-25 kg/m(2) (group 1) and those with an index within the desirabl e range (group 2). The intention was for weight gain in group 1 and ma intenance in group 2. Anthropometric measures and Nottingham Health Pr ofile quality of life scores were recorded at presentation and at subs equent attendances. Nutritional interventions included dietary advice, oral supplements, nasogastric feeding, percutaneous endoscopic feedin g and home total parenteral nutrition. Weight gain occurred in 84.6% o f group 1 with a mean gain of 4.24 kg (P=3 x 10(-9)). Lean body mass i ncreased by a mean 2.09 kg in group 1 (P=0.0008). There was no statist ically significant weight change in group 2. For group 1 there was a s tatistically significant improvement in every category of QOL score (e nergy P<0.001, pain P<0.01, emotion P<0.01, sleep P<0.01, social isola tion P<0.05, mobility P<0.05), but no statistically significant improv ement occurred in any category for group 2. Restitution of body weight and lean body mass is associated with significant improvement in qual ity of life indices in chronic illness.