The MST has acceptable relative validity, inter-rater reliability, sensitivity, and specificity to identify chemotherapy outpatients at risk of malnutrition and, hence, is an acceptable nutrition screening tool in this patient population.

This study presents the nutrient data collected from women who were being screened for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) for entry into an intervention study. Screening was by the Steiner self-rated questionnaire. One hundred and forty-four overweight women completed the screening process and eighty-eight met the criteria for PMS. All women kept 4 d diet diaries pre-and postmenstrually over two menstrual cycles. The mean energy and macronutrient intakes were compared between the pre-and postmenstrual phases. Energy and macronutrient intake was also calculated according to food categories. Goldberg's cut-off limit for the ratio of energy intake to estimated basal metabolic rate was used to exclude data that was incompatible with predicted energy requirements. The diet diaries were also used to determine the mean number of meals or snacks eaten pre-and postmenstrually. Nutrient analysis of the diet diaries of the women with PMS showed a significant increase P , 0´001 in total energy and all macronutrients premenstrually when compared to nutrient intake postmenstrually. Women who did not meet the criteria for PMS showed a significant increase in energy and fat intake P , 0´05 but not in the other macronutrients. When adjusted for energy, data collected from women with PMS showed a premenstrual significant increase in fat, carbohydrate P , 0´05 and simple sugars P , 0´001X There was a significant decrease P , 0´001 in protein premenstrually. Women not meeting the PMS criteria showed no significant difference between pre-and postmenstrual intakes when adjusted for energy. Analysis according to food categories in women with PMS showed a significantly greater intake premenstrually of energy and all macronutrients for cereals, cakes and desserts and high-sugar foods P , 0´001X In women with PMS there was a significantly greater number of`episodes of eating' premenstrually P , 0´001X This study provides further evidence, to support the very limited number of earlier studies, that there is a group of women with PMS who increase their nutrient intake during the premenstrual phase. This could potentially be a contributing factor for some women experiencing difficulties adhering to suggested dietary modification and should be considered when counselling premenopausal women. Premenstrual syndrome: Overweight women: Macronutrient and energy intakePremenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of symptoms of varying degrees of severity, which occurs during the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. It is characterised by somatic, appetitive and behavioural changes. These symptoms occur in the week prior to menstruation and cease to be present within a few days of the onset of menses (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Women have also been reported to have more accidents, suicide attempts and psychiatric admissions premenstrually (Dalton, 1960;Reid, 1986).Energy and macronutrient intake over the menstrual cycle has been investigated in women with and without premenstrual syndrome. Studies in women without PMS are inconsistent in thei...

This study aimed to identify 1) the prevalence of malnutrition according to the scored Patient Generated-Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), 2) utilization of available nutrition resources, 3) patient nutrition information needs, and 4) external sources of nutrition information. An observational, cross-sectional study was undertaken at an Australian public hospital on 191 patients receiving oncology services. According to PG-SGA, 49% of patients were malnourished, and 46% required improved symptom management and/or nutrition intervention. Commonly reported nutrition-impact symptoms included peculiar tastes (31%), no appetite (24%), and nausea (24%). External sources of nutrition information were accessed by 37%, with popular choices being media/Internet (n = 19) and family/friends (n = 13). In a subsample (n = 65), 32 patients were aware of the available nutrition resources, 23 thought the information sufficient, and 19 patients had actually read them. Additional information on supplements and modifying side effects was requested by 26 patients. Malnutrition is common in oncology patients receiving treatment at an Australian public hospital, and almost half require improved symptom management and/or nutrition intervention. Patients who read the available nutrition information found it useful; however, awareness of these nutrition resources and the provision of information on supplementation and managing symptoms requires attention.