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Supportive Care in Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer 10/2015

Open Access 01-10-2015 | Original Article

Malnutrition is associated with worse health-related quality of life in children with cancer

Authors: Aeltsje Brinksma, Robbert Sanderman, Petrie F. Roodbol, Esther Sulkers, Johannes G. M. Burgerhof, Eveline S. J. M. de Bont, Wim J. E. Tissing

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 10/2015

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Abstract

Purpose

Malnutrition in childhood cancer patients has been associated with lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, this association has never actually been tested. Therefore, we aimed to determine the association between nutritional status and HRQOL in children with cancer.

Methods

In 104 children, aged 2–18 years and diagnosed with hematological, solid, or brain malignancies, nutritional status and HRQOL were assessed at diagnosis and at 3, 6, and 12 months using the child- and parent-report versions of the PedsQL 4.0 Generic scale and the PedsQL 3.0 Cancer Module. Scores on both scales range from 0 to 100.

Results

Undernourished children (body mass index (BMI) or fat-free mass < −2 standard deviation score (SDS)) reported significantly lower PedsQL scores compared with well-nourished children on the domains physical functioning (−13.3), social functioning (−7.0), cancer summary scale (−5.9), and nausea (−14.7). Overnourished children (BMI or fat mass >2 SDS) reported lower scores on emotional (−8.0) and cognitive functioning (−9.2) and on the cancer summary scale (−6.6), whereas parent-report scores were lower on social functioning (−7.5). Weight loss (>0.5 SDS) was associated with lower scores on physical functioning (−13.9 child-report and −10.7 parent-report), emotional (−7.4) and social functioning (−6.0) (child-report), pain (−11.6), and nausea (−7.8) (parent-report). Parents reported worse social functioning and more pain in children with weight gain (>0.5 SDS) compared with children with stable weight status.

Conclusions

Undernutrition and weight loss were associated with worse physical and social functioning, whereas overnutrition and weight gain affected the emotional and social domains of HRQL. Interventions that improve nutritional status may contribute to enhanced health outcomes in children with cancer.
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Metadata
Title
Malnutrition is associated with worse health-related quality of life in children with cancer
Authors
Aeltsje Brinksma
Robbert Sanderman
Petrie F. Roodbol
Esther Sulkers
Johannes G. M. Burgerhof
Eveline S. J. M. de Bont
Wim J. E. Tissing
Publication date
01-10-2015
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 10/2015
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2674-0

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