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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Malnutrition | Research

A poorer nutritional status impacts quality of life in a sample population of elderly cancer patients

Authors: Tatiane Correia Rios, Lucivalda Pereira Magalhães de Oliveira, Maria Lúcia Varjão da Costa, Ramona Souza da Silva Baqueiro Boulhosa, Anna Karla Carneiro Roriz, Lilian Barbosa Ramos, Allain Amador Bueno

Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Rationale

Quality of Life (QoL) is impaired in cancer, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition. A diagnosis of cancer in elderly patients further exacerbates risks of negative health outcomes. Here we investigated associations between QoL and nutritional status in a sample population of mostly socially deprived elderly cancer patients.

Method

432 cancer patients were recruited for this cross-sectional study at point of admission to a tertiary referral hospital for cancer treatment. Patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) assessed nutritional status. Functional assessment of cancer therapy- general (FACT-G) quantified QoL. Relationship between PG-SGA and QoL was assessed by Spearman correlation. PG-SGA outcomes were compared against FACT-G scores employing Mann–Whitney test. Bivariate Linear Regression Model was employed to investigate influences of sociodemographic, clinical and nutritional status upon QoL.

Results

37.5% of participants were malnourished or at risk. 39% were illiterate and 54.6% had family income lower than minimum wage. Malnourished patients showed lower FACT-G scores (76.8 vs. 84.7; p = 0.000). Poor nutritional diagnosis was inversely correlated with all QoL domains. Bivariate regression analysis showed that lower PG-SGA scores (βo = − 1.00; p = 0.000) contributed to FACT-G score deterioration, the male gender showed better QoL scores, and other clinical and sociodemographic variables did not show relationship.

Conclusion

Poorer nutritional status was significantly associated with worsened physical, social, emotional and functional well-being QoL domains in elderly cancer patients. Poorer nutritional status is an independent risk factor for worsened QoL. Future policies aimed at particularly vulnerable populations may improve QoL and health outcomes.

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Title: A poorer nutritional status impacts quality of life in a sample population of elderly cancer patients
Authors: Tatiane Correia Rios
Lucivalda Pereira Magalhães de Oliveira
Maria Lúcia Varjão da Costa
Ramona Souza da Silva Baqueiro Boulhosa
Anna Karla Carneiro Roriz
Lilian Barbosa Ramos
Allain Amador Bueno
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Malnutrition
Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7525
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-021-01735-7

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Springer Medicine

A poorer nutritional status impacts quality of life in a sample population of elderly cancer patients

Abstract

Rationale

Method

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Rationale

Method

Results

Conclusion

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