Abstract
RationaleQuality 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.Method432 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.Results37.5% 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.ConclusionPoorer 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.
Highlights
Increased life expectancy is positively associated with increased incidence of cancer
The vast majority of patients were admitted to hospital for cancer surgery (98.6%), whilst 0.9% were admitted for chemotherapy and 0.5% were admitted to manage venous catheter blockage
The Patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) showed that 62.5% of patients were well nourished at hospital admission, whilst 29.9% were either at risk of malnutrition or moderately malnourished, and 7.6% were severely malnourished (Table 1)
Summary
Increased life expectancy is positively associated with increased incidence of cancer. 60% of new cancer cases are diagnosed in the population group aged 65 years or older, and approximately 70% of the mortality attributed to cancer occurs in that group [1]. Ageing is positively associated with physiological and functional deterioration, which are important risk factors. Decline of functionality is associated with increased morbidity, higher hospitalization rates and increased costs of healthcare provision [3]. Particular attention is required for elderly cancer patients when considering their naturally expected physiological and functional decline. Weakening attributed to loss of muscle mass and reduced movement is expected in ageing; when associated with a diagnosis of cancer, the sufferer’s quality of life (QoL) and life expectancy become dramatically compromised [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
