Malnutrition and overall survival in older patients with cancer

Xiaotao Zhang, Linda Pang, Shreela V. Sharma, Ruosha Li, Alan G. Nyitray, Beatrice J. Edwards

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background & aims: In this study, we assessed the prevalence of malnutrition and its association with overall survival among patients with cancer aged 65 years and older. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, patients receiving cancer care underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). Malnutrition status was determined through the CGA. We used univariate and multivariable Cox regression survival analyses to assess the association between baseline malnutrition and survival. Results: A total of 454 patients with cancers were included in the analysis. The median age was 78 years and men and women were equally represented. Forty-two percent (n = 190) were malnourished at baseline, and 33% died during the follow-up (range 0.2–51.1 month). Univariate analysis showed that malnutrition increased the risk of all-cause mortality in older patients with cancer (HR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.08–2.05; p = 0.01). In the multivariate Cox regression model, malnutrition increased the risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.10–3.17; p = 0.02) in older patients with solid tumors. However, malnutrition did not increase the risk of all-cause mortality for hematologic malignancies. Conclusions: In our study, we found that malnutrition was a risk factor for mortality in older cancer patients, especially in older patients with solid tumors. Prospective inter ventional studies are recommended.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)966-977
Number of pages12
JournalClinical Nutrition
Volume40
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cancer care
  • Cancer survivorship
  • Geriatric
  • Malnutrition
  • Mortality
  • Weight loss

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