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. 2022 Oct 11;13(6):2683–2696. doi: 10.1002/jcsm.13105

Table 4.

Domain (Practice): treating cancer patients with cachexia

N Statistic
When a diagnosis of cachexia is made, treatments may include (select all that apply):
Incorporate energy and protein‐fortified foods in the diet 1433 60.3%
Recommend oral nutritional supplements 1524 64.2%
Prescribe corticosteroids 636 26.8%
Prescribe progestational agents 284 12.0%
Prescribe cannabinoids 234 9.9%
Prescribe anti‐inflammatory agents 375 15.8%
Prescribe physical exercise 817 34.4%
Prescribe nutritional counselling 1357 57.1%
Refer to specialist for psychosocial support 547 23.0%
Other: free text 72 3.0%
I do not know 55 2.3%
I do not diagnose cachexia in cancer patients therefore not applicable for my professional role/responsibility 199 8.4%
I diagnose cachexia in cancer patients but I cannot prescribe or order treatments, so not applicable for my professional role/responsibility 108 4.5%
Providing nutrition recommendations for patients with cachexia is challenging for me
Strongly agree 257 10.8%
Agree 710 29.9%
Neither agree or disagree 403 17.0%
Disagree 399 16.8%
Strongly disagree 163 6.9%
Not applicable for my professional role/responsibility 70 2.9%
Missing data 373 15.7%
I use tools and resources such as evidence‐based guidelines developed by experts to care for my cancer patients with cachexia
Yes, all the time 240 10.1%
Yes, most of the time 587 24.7%
Rarely 415 17.5%
No, I prefer to use my own clinical judgement 202 8.5%
No, I am not aware of tools and resources to care for my cancer patients with cachexia 280 11.8%
No, I do not use tools and resources because I do not have access to them 81 3.4%
Not applicable for my professional role/responsibility 197 8.3%
Missing data 373 15.7%
If yes, to above, I use evidence‐ based guidelines from the following organization(s) to care for my cancer patients with cachexia (select all that apply):
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 302 12.7%
Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) Clinical Guidelines on Nutrition in Cancer Patients 27 1.1%
American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) 367 16.6%
European Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ESPEN) 457 19.2%
Designated regional cancer centre guidelines 406 17.1%
Other: free text 106 4.5%
Not applicable for my professional role/responsibility 165 6.9%
In my practice setting, referrals for cachexia are most often initiated by the following health care team member – ALL THAT APPLY (Europe, NA and ROW only):
Specialist physician/medical doctor 673 58.7%
Physician assistant 146 12.7%
Advanced practice nurse (e.g. nurse practitioner) 293 25.5%
Registered nurse/nurse 295 25.7%
Pharmacist 30 2.6%
Dietitian/registered dietitian/nutritionist (non‐physician) 370 32.3%
Occupational therapist 19 1.7%
Physical therapist 47 4.1%
Social worker 32 2.8%
Psychologist 31 2.7%
Other (free text) 0 0%
Not applicable for my professional role/responsibility 80 7.0%
In my practice setting, referrals for cachexia are most often initiated by the following health care team member – SINGLE RESPONSE ONLY (Japan only data):
Specialist physician/medical doctor 300 24.4%
Physician assistant 1 0.1%
Advanced practice nurse (e.g. nurse practitioner) 125 10.2%
Registered nurse/nurse 195 15.9%
Pharmacist 14 1.1%
Dietitian/registered dietitian/nutritionist (non‐physician) 229 18.7%
Occupational therapist 2 0.2%
Physical therapist 19 1.6%
Social worker 1 0.1%
Psychologist 2 0.2%
Other (free text) 35 2.9%
Not applicable for my professional role/responsibility 86 7.0%
Missing data 219 17.8%
Once a referral is initiated, it is up to the following individual(s) to ensure that it is executed (all that apply):
Specialist physician/medical doctor 1241 52.3%
Physician assistant 150 6.3%
Advanced practice nurse (e.g. nurse practitioner) 661 27.8%
Registered nurse/nurse 853 35.9%
Pharmacist 428 18.0%
Dietitian/registered dietitian/nutritionist (non‐physician) 1303 54.9%
Occupational therapist 214 9.0%
Physical therapist 397 16.7%
Social worker 159 6.7%
Psychologist 137 5.8%
Other (free text) 83 3.5%
I do not refer my patients to other healthcare professionals; I manage their care myself 33 1.4%
I do not know 79 3.3%
Not applicable for my professional role/responsibility 85 3.6%
There are sufficient specialists available for me to refer my cancer patients with cachexia
Yes, all the time 145 6.1%
Yes, most of the time 435 18.3%
Rarely 478 20.1%
No 710 29.9%
Not applicable for my professional role/responsibility 234 9.9%
Missing data 373 15.7%
The following specialists are often not available for my patients even if I refer them (select all that apply):
Specialist physician/medical doctor 526 22.1%
Physician assistant 180 7.6%
Advanced practice nurse (e.g. nurse practitioner) 152 6.4%
Registered nurse/nurse 159 6.7%
Pharmacist 166 7.0%
Dietitian/registered dietitian/nutritionist (non‐physician) 301 12.7%
Occupational therapist 206 8.7%
Physical therapist 231 9.7%
Social worker 204 8.6%
Psychologist 249 10.5%
Other (free text) 41 17.2%
Not applicable for my professional role/responsibility 551 23.2%