Validation of RMNST against the PG-SGA for adult oncology outpatients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Finding a suitable malnutrition screening tool for adult oncology outpatients at Imperial College NHS Trust: Validation of the Royal Marsden Nutrition Screening Tool against the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment in the adult outpatient oncology setting
IRAS ID
182110
Contact name
Linsey King
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leeds Beckett University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
Malnutrition is a common and under-recognised problem in cancer patients. Furthermore, it is a known negative prognostic factor and has been associated with a large number of physical, psychological and clinically relevant adverse effects in oncology patients.
Many papers have documented the importance of early identification of malnutrition in this cohort of patients. NICE (2006) states that all patients should have a nutritional screening at each outpatient appointment. A clear process should be established for documenting the outcomes and subsequent actions taken if the patient is recognised as at risk of malnutrition. Currently this pathway is not in place at Charing Cross for outpatient oncology patients.
A prospective observational study of 138 adult oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy as their sole form of treatment at the point of screening in Charing Cross hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
The primary study aims to validate the Royal Marsden Nutrition Screening Tool (RMNST)in the adult oncology outpatient setting. I will also look to assess the most appropriate tool to use in adult oncology outpatients at Imperial College Hospital NHS trust. The current malnutrition screening tool used by the trust, the Imperial Nutritional Screening System Tool (INSST) has not be validated in the oncology setting and is not routinely used in the oncology outpatient setting.
Many of the nursing staff report “lack of time” as a major barrier to increase the rate of screening for oncology outpatients. Nursing staff commonly report the INSYST is too long of a processes to be undertaken on the chemotherapy day unit.
I will also assess the ease and speed of use of this tool and another nutrition screening tool, Malnutrition screening tool (MST), which has already been validated in this setting to explore the suitability of both tools in a busy clinical setting.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EE/0285
Date of REC Opinion
10 Aug 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion