Diet Changes and Malnutrition Risk in Older Cancer Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Büthe Lea, Westhofen Gina, Hille Andrea, Büntzel Judith
Primary Institution: University Medical School, Göttingen, Germany
Hypothesis
Older cancer inpatients are at high risk for malnutrition due to dietary changes and symptom burden.
Conclusion
Older cancer inpatients are frail and have a high risk of malnutrition, necessitating comprehensive screening that includes dietary changes and symptom burden.
Supporting Evidence
- Two in three inpatients aged 65 and older were at risk for malnutrition.
- 87.67% of patients scored ≤14 points on the G8 and were considered frail.
- Xerostomia was the most frequently reported symptom, affecting 59.33% of patients.
Takeaway
Many older people with cancer have trouble eating and are at risk of not getting enough nutrition, which can make them feel worse.
Methodology
The study used a cross-sectional design, screening 300 cancer inpatients aged 65 and older with the NRS-2002 and G8 tools, along with questionnaires on dietary changes and symptom burden.
Potential Biases
Potential selection bias due to the study's focus on inpatients and the inability to follow up on nutritional assessments.
Limitations
The study's cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, and subgroup analyses were constrained by small sample sizes.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 300 cancer inpatients, with 136 females and 164 males, aged 65 and older.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website