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Supportive Care in Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer 1/2019

01-01-2019 | Original Article

A longitudinal study of muscle strength and function in patients with cancer cachexia

Authors: Nichola Gale, David Wasley, Sioned Roberts, Karianne Backx, Annemarie Nelson, Robert van Deursen, Anthony Byrne

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Purpose

Patients with cancer frequently experience an involuntary loss of weight (in particular loss of muscle mass), defined as cachexia, with profound implications for independence and quality of life. The rate at which such patients’ physical performance declines has not been well established. The aim of this study was to determine the change in muscle strength and function over 8 weeks in patients with already established cancer cachexia, to help inform the design and duration of physical activity interventions applicable to this patient group.

Methods

Patients with thoracic and gastrointestinal cancer and with unintentional weight loss of > 5% in 6 months or BMI < 20 plus 2% weight loss were included. Physical and functional assessments (baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks) included isometric quadriceps and hamstring strength, handgrip, standing balance, 10-m walk time and timed up and go.

Results

Fifty patients (32 male), mean ± SD age 65 ± 10 years and BMI 24.9 ± 4.3 kg/m2, were recruited. Thoracic cancer patients had lower muscle strength and function (p < 0.05). Despite notable attrition, in patients who completed all assessments (8 thoracic and 12 gastrointestinal), there was little change in performance over 8 weeks (p > 0.05). Baseline variables did not differentiate between completers and non-completers (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

More than a third of patients with established cancer cachexia in our study were stable over 8 weeks, suggesting a subgroup who may benefit from targeted interventions of reasonable duration. Better understanding the physical performance parameters which characterise and differentiate these patients has important clinical implications for cancer multidisciplinary team practice.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
A longitudinal study of muscle strength and function in patients with cancer cachexia
Authors
Nichola Gale
David Wasley
Sioned Roberts
Karianne Backx
Annemarie Nelson
Robert van Deursen
Anthony Byrne
Publication date
01-01-2019
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 1/2019
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4297-8

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