Abstract
Malnutrition is common and detrimental in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. There are close associations between olfactory dysfunction, depression, and malnutrition, but how they correlate in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy remains unclear. Two hundred and one cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were recruited to this study. Their risk of malnutrition was assessed using the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ); odor identification was assessed by Sniffin' Sticks test; self-measurement of olfaction was assessed by Self-reported Mini Olfactory Questionnaire (Self-MOQ); and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Correlation analyses and mediation analyses were used to explore the relationships between olfaction, depression, and risk of malnutrition. The SNAQ score was negatively correlated with the Self-MOQ score and BDI score, and positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) scores and odor identification. The Self-MOQ score was negatively correlated with odor identification and positively correlated with BDI scores, and the duration of chemotherapy was negatively correlated with odor identification. Mediation analyses suggested that BDI scores exhibited a partial mediation effect on the relationship between Self-MOQ score and SNAQ scores. The influence of olfactory dysfunction on risk of malnutrition is mediated by depressive symptoms in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Early intervention of olfactory dysfunction and depressive symptoms may be helpful in reducing the risk malnutrition in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
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