Abstract
BackgroundCancer therapy in Malaysia primarily focuses on the clinical management of patients with cancer and malnutrition continues to be one of the major causes of death in these patients. There is a dearth of information on the nutrient intake and status of newly diagnosed patients with cancer prior to the initiation of treatment. The present study aims to assess the nutrient intake and status of newly diagnosed patients with cancer from the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenient sample of newly diagnosed adult patients with cancer (n = 70) attending the Oncology clinic, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, clinical status, anthropometry, dietary intake and biochemical data including blood samples was obtained.ResultsThe mean (SD) age, triceps skin fold (TSF), mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and body mass index (BMI) of participants was 21.1(3.9) years, 17.6(7.9) mm, 24.1(5.5) cm, and 21.1(3.9) Kg/m2, respectively; 39% participants had BMI <18.5 Kg/m2. One-third of newly diagnosed patients with cancer were undernourished (i.e. women: MUAC <220 mm; men: <230 mm). The proportion (%) of participants with low haemoglobin (<120 g/L) and serum albumin (<38 g/dL) were 62% and 26%, respectively. The older women had significantly lower macro and micro nutrient intakes compared to men in the same age group (P <0.05).ConclusionsAt the time of diagnosis, greater than one-third of patients with cancer from the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia were underweight and undernourished. The majority of patients with cancer had poor micronutrient intakes; the older women had a poor macro and micronutrient intakes. Before the initiation of rigorous clinical management of patients with cancer, screening for nutritional status, subsequent nutrition counseling, and interventions are essential to improve their nutritional status; consequently, response to cancer therapy, survival and quality of life.
Highlights
Cancer therapy in Malaysia primarily focuses on the clinical management of patients with cancer and malnutrition continues to be one of the major causes of death in these patients
A total of 95 participants, who were on their first visit to the Oncology clinic after confirmed diagnosis of cancer, were approached; 70 participants completed the study (73.6% response rate)
The present study provides the first data on the nutrient intake and status of newly diagnosed patients with cancer from the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia prior to the initiation of any therapeutic interventions
Summary
Cancer therapy in Malaysia primarily focuses on the clinical management of patients with cancer and malnutrition continues to be one of the major causes of death in these patients. There is a dearth of information on the nutrient intake and status of newly diagnosed patients with cancer prior to the initiation of treatment. The present study aims to assess the nutrient intake and status of newly diagnosed patients with cancer from the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. According to the current estimates, cancer is the fourth leading cause of death in Malaysia and about 27,000 newly diagnosed patients with cancer were registered in 2008. The clinical care of patients with cancer focuses on the medical management with less attention on disease-related malnutrition that exists even at the time of diagnosis [4]. Reduced food intake coupled with altered metabolic changes lead to the onset of cancer cachexia with the classic clinical presentation of wasting, anorexia and systemic inflammation. Disease-related malnutrition in patients with cancer often manifest as an early indicator of a rapidly progressing disease [7]
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