Assessment Of the Nutritional Status of Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Khemiri S, Chaabouni N, Boudawara O, Krimi Y, Ayedi I, Nouri E and Khanfir A

Published on: 2023-09-02

Abstract

Introduction: The incidence of cancer is increasing worldwide and with it the prevalence of malnutrition, which may vary between 40 and 80 % in patients with neoplasia. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with malnutrition in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Background: As a chronic disease responsible for several clinical symptoms or biological disorders, either related to the disease or to its treatment, the cancer patient is exposed to the risk of malnutrition.

Data Sources: We conducted a cross-sectional study including patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy. Body mass index (BMI), weight loss (WL), albuminemia, age, sex, tumour site, treatment, disease stage, World Health Organization performance status (PS) and food habits were determined.

Overview of the Issues: Malnutrition is therefore a major problem for cancer patients.

Finding: This study included 85 patients with a mean age of 53 years. %. More than half of the sample (73 %) were female. The prevalence of malnutrition was 32,9%, 24.7% presented with moderate malnutrition and 8.2% presented with severe malnutrition. In relation to the types of cancer, severe malnutrition was more prevalent in patients with cancer of the Oro-gastrointestinal tract (46,5 %). Elderly patients had more prevalence of malnutrition (40,7%) compared to young patients. The malnutrition rate was higher in cases of metastatic cancer (40,5%). Highly emetogenic chemotherapy protocol exposes to a higher risk of malnutrition (42,1%).

Discussion: Malnutrition can be detected and evaluated using instruments such muscle strength test and determining of albuminemia.

Conclusion: We suggest that evaluation for malnutrition should be a standard component of cancer patient care. Malnutrition is a common problem seen in cancer patients.