Weight loss in head and neck cancer patients little noticed in general practice.

Introduction: In head and neck cancer patients, weight loss increases morbidity and mortality, and decreases treatment tolerance and quality of life. Early nutritional intervention has beneficial effects on these factors.

Aim: We observed patients' weight courses after specialists' care and surveyed nutrition-related documentation by general practitioners (GPs).

Improving nutritional management within high-risk groups.

The current pitfalls and future possibilities of nutritional management are discussed by two patients with tongue cancer who have suffered from substantial weight loss. Their nutritional problems are illustrative of those among other (cancer) patient groups. The main concerns are the lack of early case finding and dietary treatment, and insufficient nutritional information transfer through referral letters.

Encounters for common illnesses in general practice increased in obese patients.

Background: Obese patients are known to have more chronic medical conditions.

Objective: To compare the frequency of encounter for episodes of the 10 most common illnesses in general practice between obese and non-overweight patients.

Methods: Data were derived from the Continuous Morbidity Registration, containing data from four general practices in and around Nijmegen (The Netherlands).

Nutritional deficiency in general practice: a systematic review.

Objective: Nutritional deficiency is an independent risk factor for mortality. Despite its clinical relevance, the prevalence in a primary care setting is poorly documented. We performed a systematic review of reported prevalence and clinical assessment of nutritional deficiency in general practice.