Malnutrition in 822 Irish cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: prevalence and impact on quality of life and survival

Background

Malnutrition is common in the oncology setting and negatively impacts on clinical outcomes¹. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status of this cohort and the impact of malnutrition on quality of life (QOL) and survival.

Methods

A cross sectional study of adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy between 2012-2015 was conducted. A survey was devised, incorporating clinical, nutritional, biochemical and QOL data (EORTC). Nutritional status was evaluated using cancer cachexia (CC) diagnostic criteria² and CT assessment of body composition¹. Cox proportional hazards model was used for survival analysis.

Results

822 patients with solid tumours participated in the study, 60% were male with a median age of 64 years (IQR 56-71 years). 44% had a BMI > 25kg/m², while only 4.6% had visible malnutrition (BMI 5% body weight in 6 months, 44% had CC, 40% were sarcopenic, 47% had myosteatosis, 24% had both. In terms of QOL, weight loss >5% and cancer cachexia were significantly associated with a poorer global QOL score, as well as worse physical, role, emotional and social function scores (all p 

Conclusions

Malnutrition and abnormal body composition are common in Irish cancer patients, but are masked by excessive adiposity. Malnutrition can adversely impact on patients QOL and survival. 1. Martin L, Birdsell L, MacDonald N et al. (2013) J Clin Oncol; 31 (12):1539-1547 2. Fearon K, Strasser F, Amler SD et al. (2011) Lancet Oncol; 12 (5):489-95

Clinical trial identification

Legal entity responsible for the study

University College Cork

Funding

Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) under Grant Number SFI/12/RC/2273

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.