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Supportive Care in Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer 7/2013

01-07-2013 | Original Article

Weight changes correlate with alterations in subjective physical function in advanced cancer patients referred to a specialized nutrition and rehabilitation team

Authors: Monica P. Parmar, Tara Swanson, R. Thomas Jagoe

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 7/2013

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to assess whether short-term weight gain correlates with improvements in subjective markers of quality of life and physical function in patients referred to a clinic for management of cancer cachexia.

Methods

A retrospective review of the records of 306 patients referred to a specialized multi-disciplinary supportive care team with particular interest in treating cancer cachexia. Weight changes between each of the first three clinic visits, were correlated with the corresponding changes in patient-rated performance status, perceived strength and quality of life. In a second cohort of 56 patients, the correlation between perceived strength and quality of life was re-tested using a more detailed quality of life tool.

Results

Even over short time intervals positive correlations were observed for weight change vs. change in patient-rated performance status (R s > 0.15, P < 0.05), and for changes in perceived strength vs. quality of life (R s > 0.33, P < 0.001). The correlation between changes in patient-rated strength and quality of life was consistent across all subgroups studied and was reproducible when using a different, validated, quality of life tool (FAACT) in a second independent patient cohort.

Conclusions

Weight gains are associated with subjective improvements in physical functioning, and changes in perceived physical strength are consistently correlated with quality of life.
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Metadata
Title
Weight changes correlate with alterations in subjective physical function in advanced cancer patients referred to a specialized nutrition and rehabilitation team
Authors
Monica P. Parmar
Tara Swanson
R. Thomas Jagoe
Publication date
01-07-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 7/2013
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-013-1762-2

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