Date Completed: 1/20/09
Faculty Name: Christine Ritchie, M.D.
UAB Department: Medicine
UAB School: Medicine
Campus Address: CH 19, Suite 219T
Campus Zip: 2041
Telephone: 975-8197
Email Address: critchie@uab.edu
Office Fax: 975-8173
Research Program Area: Cancer Control and Population Science
Project Title: Cachexia, Illness Burden and Health Outcomes in Cancer Patients
Project Status: About to begin
Proposed Start Date: May 4
Proposed End Date: August 21
Number of Weeks of Internship: 16
Number of Interns: 2
Other faculty, staff, or graduate students who may help supervise intern: Dr. Elizabeth Kvale; Dr. Julie Locher
Expected Number of Work Hours Per Week: 20 hours
Expected Work Schedule for Intern: NOT very flexible, intern MUST be at work on certain days and times
Number of hours that preceptor will personally supervise or work with intern: 4
Category of Research: Clinical (Patient Care) Research
Cancer Research: Nutrition
Project Description: Cachexia or involuntary weight loss occurs in 40-80% of cancer patients. It is now clear that the mechanisms of cachexia combine to produce a clinical condition quite different from starvation. Unlike starvation, where fat is utilized preferentially and resting energy expenditure decreases, cachexia is characterized by normal or elevated resting energy expenditure and the breakdown of both fat and muscle. The etiology of cachexia is multidimensional and has not been adequately characterized. Nor has the burden of illness associated with cachexia been fully ascertained. This study will have two phases. First it will utilize retrospective chart review to identify causes of weight loss and whether the weight loss was reversible. It will then engage in a preliminary multidimensional trial of pharmacologic and exercise interventions to evaluate its impact on cachexia. This trial will use medications such as beta-blockers and NSAID's, combined with complementary therapies that include melatonin, specific amino acids and an exercise regimen that uses resistance training. The treatment will be accompanied by expert management of pain, nausea, depression and anxiety, ensuring that these symptoms do not contribute to inadequate caloric intake.
Intern's Anticipated Duties:
Duty 1: Retrospecitve chart review
Duty 2: Interviewing patients and assisting in performing nutrition assessments
Duty 3: Data entry and analysis (with preceptor assistance)
Preceptor will provide intern with access to the following: office or desk space; computer and printer; supplies needed to complete project
Likelihood of authoring publications: Very Likely
Background, education, experience, or expertise preferred: Interview Skills; Nutrition Sciences
This faculty member has been a CaRES Preceptor for one summer.
Intern 1: Lalleh Adhami Intern 2: Ezinne Okwandu