Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association | 2021
Female cancer survivors are more likely to be at risk of malnutrition and meet the threshold for clinical importance for a number of quality of life subscales.
Abstract
BACKGROUND\nThe present study aimed to explore malnutrition risk, handgrip strength and quality of life (QOL) in cancer survivors.\n\n\nMETHODS\nIn total, 232 individuals completed a demographic questionnaire, Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment Short Form and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QOL Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Handgrip strength was determined using a spring-loaded handgrip dynamometer and anthropometric measurements were taken by an oncology nurse. Frequencies and distribution data, analysis of variance and chi-squared tests were then conducted.\n\n\nRESULTS\nThe majority of the cohort were female (n\xa0=\xa0141; 60.8%) had breast cancer (n\xa0=\xa062; 26.7%) and the mean\xa0±\xa0SD body mass index (BMI) was 26.6\xa0±\xa06.2\xa0kg\xa0m-2 . Less than a one-third reported seeing a dietitian (n\xa0=\xa068; 29.3%). Over one-third reported recent weight loss (n\xa0=\xa088; 37.3%). Some 40.9% (n\xa0=\xa095) were at moderate to high risk of malnutrition, with women more likely than men to experience this (p\xa0=\xa00.01). Mean\xa0±\xa0SD handgrip strength was 25\xa0±\xa015\xa0kg and this differed significantly by gender (p\xa0=\xa00.00), cancer type (p\xa0=\xa00.01) and BMI classification (p\xa0=\xa00.01). One-fifth of individuals were classified as having dynapenia (n\xa0=\xa048; 21.1%). Median (interquartile range) QOL score was 66.7 (33.3). The proportion of individuals meeting the threshold for clinical importance for QOL subscales ranged from 12.5% (constipation) to 42.7% (physical functioning). Females were more likely than males to meet the threshold for physical functioning (p\xa0=\xa00.00), fatigue (p\xa0=\xa00.02) and pain (p\xa0=\xa00.01).\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nFemales are more likely than males to be at moderate-high risk of malnutrition and meet the threshold for clinical significance for several QOL subscales.