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Female cancer survivors are more likely to be at high risk of malnutrition and meet the threshold for clinical importance for a number of quality of life subscales
Author(s) -
Keaver Laura,
O’Callaghan Niamh,
O’Sullivan Aoibheann,
Quinn Laoise,
Loftus Amy,
McHugh Catherine M.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of human nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.951
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1365-277X
pISSN - 0952-3871
DOI - 10.1111/jhn.12877
Subject(s) - medicine , interquartile range , quality of life (healthcare) , anthropometry , physical therapy , body mass index , malnutrition , breast cancer , cancer , cohort , gerontology , nursing
Background The present study aimed to explore malnutrition risk, handgrip strength and quality of life (QOL) in cancer survivors. Methods In 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. Results The majority of the cohort were female ( n = 141; 60.8%) had breast cancer ( n = 62; 26.7%) and the mean ± SD body mass index (BMI) was 26.6 ± 6.2 kg m –2 . Less than a one‐third reported seeing a dietitian ( n = 68; 29.3%). Over one‐third reported recent weight loss ( n = 88; 37.3%). Some 40.9% ( n = 95) were at moderate to high risk of malnutrition, with women more likely than men to be classified as high risk ( p < 0.05). Mean ± SD handgrip strength was 25 ± 15 kg and this differed significantly by gender ( p = 0.00), cancer type ( p = 0.01) and BMI classification ( p = 0.01). One‐fifth of individuals were classified as having dynapenia ( n = 48; 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 = 0.00), fatigue ( p = 0.02) and pain ( p = 0.01). Conclusions Females are more likely than males to be at high risk of malnutrition and meet the threshold for clinical significance for several QOL subscales.