open access: JNCI - Commentary Improved Outcomes in the Malnourished Patient: We’re Not There Yet

".......By outlining the limitations, the authors provide direction for future researchers. A key point made by the authors is that despite the statistical significance of some aspects of QOL, it is unclear how meaningful these changes are to the patient. The challenge that researchers face is explaining how improved emotional well-being resulted from taking an oral nutritional supplement and/or receiving dietary counseling. Was the improvement from the nutritional counseling, the supplement, the combination, or the extra attention to and clinical involvement with the patient....."

"....Nutritional supplements may indeed improve outcomes for some patients experiencing malnutrition but not cachexia. Dietary counseling may be beneficial for patients at high risk for malnutrition and their caregivers. However, the research conducted to date is fraught with limitations; hence, it is challenging for clinicians to apply these results to everyday practice."