Prevalence of Malnutrition Among Adult Cancer Patients in Oncology Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Cancer is the leading cause of mortality worldwide; it accounts for ten million deaths. The number of new cancer cases per year reaches to 33,873 in both sexes with a 5-year prevalence that tops to 79,057 cases. Cancer is considered a public health problem that add cost and burden on the Iraqi health system. Malnutrition is a common comorbidity in cancer patients, despite the fact that it is a potentially remediable condition, it is associated with poor overall survival and quality of life Aim: To explore the prevalence of malnutrition among cancer patients in Iraq and illustrate the significant factors that affect malnutrition. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in the Oncology Hospital – Baghdad, included a convenient sample of 100 cancer patients. Data collection was based on a structured questionnaire covering the demographical characteristics. Anthropometric values were measured during the interview. Basal Mass index (BMI), and Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) were calculated accordingly. Chi-square and Fischer exact tests were applied to demonstrate the association between malnutrition and different variables, in all statistical analyses a P-value equal or less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The average age of the studied sample was 53.8±12.3 ranging from 33 to 84 years old. Breast cancer was the commonest 34(34%), followed by lung 18(18%). One quarter 26(26%) of the studied sample had were well nourished (SGA-A), 59 (59%) had moderate malnutrition (SGA-B) and 15(15%) had severe malnutrition (SGA-C). There was a significant association between severe malnutrition and gender, BMI, regularity of meal intake and type of meal, change in taste, dryness of the mouth, chewing problems, dysphagia and loss of appetite. Severe malnutrition was more prevalent among patients with nasopharyngeal, esophagus and upper GIT sites of cancer. Conclusion and recommendations: This study shows a need for installing nutritional units attached to oncology hospitals and wards in Iraq, in order to implement nutritional assessment systematically and periodically upon admission, as well as on an outpatient basis Once patients with a nutritional risk are detected, they should undergo a more detailed evaluation to identify and quantify the type and degree of malnutrition.