Major clinical approaches to palliative care and nutrology in dentistry: a systematic review

Key Takeaways for GI Nurses

• Oral health complications are frequently overlooked in palliative care patients, yet dental issues can significantly impact nutritional intake and overall quality of life in GI patients with advanced disease
• Understanding the intersection between dental health, nutrition, and palliative care can help GI nurses provide more comprehensive symptom management for patients with terminal diagnoses or complex nutritional needs
• Collaboration with dental professionals may be essential for optimizing nutritional outcomes in palliative GI patients who experience oral pain, difficulty swallowing, or altered taste that affects their ability to maintain adequate nutrition
• This research highlights the need for multidisciplinary approaches that consider oral health as a component of comprehensive palliative care planning in gastroenterology settings

Clinical Relevance

For GI and endoscopy nurses, this systematic review underscores an often-neglected aspect of palliative care that directly impacts our patient population. Many patients with advanced GI malignancies, chronic liver disease, or inflammatory bowel conditions experience significant oral health deterioration due to medications, treatments, or disease progression. These dental complications can create barriers to adequate nutrition, potentially compromising treatment outcomes and quality of life during palliative care.

In practical terms, this research suggests that GI nurses should incorporate oral health assessments into routine care protocols, particularly for patients receiving palliative interventions. When patients report difficulty eating, altered taste, or oral pain, dental consultation may be as important as traditional nutritional interventions. This is especially relevant in endoscopy units where we frequently encounter patients with swallowing difficulties or upper GI complications that may be compounded by unaddressed dental issues.

The findings also support the development of more integrated care pathways that include dental professionals in multidisciplinary team discussions for complex palliative care patients. This could lead to improved symptom management strategies and better coordination between departments when addressing nutritional challenges in our patient population.

Bottom Line

This systematic review reminds GI nurses that effective palliative care and nutritional support requires attention to oral health as a fundamental component of comprehensive patient care. By recognizing the connection between dental health and nutritional outcomes, we can better advocate for our patients' comfort and quality of life through appropriate referrals and collaborative care approaches that address all barriers to adequate nutrition in palliative settings.