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Daily Gut Score of Blijlevens et al for Gastrointestinal Toxicity Associated with Cancer Therapy

Purpose: To evaluate the gastrointestinal impact of cancer therapy using the daily gut score (GCS) of Blijlevens et al.

Description

Blijlevens et al developed the daily gut score (DGS) for monitoring clinical signs of gastrointestinal toxicity associated with cancer therapy. This can be used to monitor the patient following initiation of therapy. The authors are from the University Medical Centre St. Radboud Nijmegen and University Hospital Maastricht in The Netherlands.


Clinical findings evaluated daily:

(1) frequency of emesis

(2) frequency of diarrhea

(3) nausea

(4) abdominal complaints/discomfort

(5) fecal incontinence

(6) fecal volume

 

Clinical Status for Each Finding

Points

normal

0

mild abnormality

1

moderate abnormality

2

severe abnormality

3

 

total daily gut score =

= SUM(points for all 6 findings)

 

Interpretation:

• minimum score: 0

• maximum score: 18

• The higher the score the more severe the gastrointestinal toxicity.

 

Total DGS

Degree of Toxicity

0

Grade 0 (normal)

1 to 6

Grade I (mild)

7 to 12

Grade II (moderate)

13 to 18

Grade III (severe)

 

Limitations:

• As with any summated score, a given score can be achieved by several patterns in the findings. A score with one or two severe symptoms may give the same score as many mild to moderate problems.


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Specialty

Objective

ICD-10