Factors associated with malnutrition in hospitalized cancer patients: a croos-sectional study

The incidence of cancer is increasing worldwide and with it the prevalence of malnutrition, which is responsible for the death of almost 20% of cancer patients. The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with malnutrition in hospitalized cancer patients.

Cross-sectional study conducted with 277 hospitalized patients in the Institute of Integrative Medicine Prof. Fernando Figueira from March to November 2013. The nutritional status was classified as well-nourished and moderate/severe malnutrition, according to the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment. The association between moderate/severe malnutrition and demographic, behavioral, socioeconomic, clinical, therapeutic and nutritional variables was investigated through univariate regression and hierarchical Poisson models, with a 5% significance level.

The prevalence of malnutrition was 71.1%, being classified as moderate in 35.4% and severe in 35.7%. After multivariate analysis, smokers/ex-smokers low socioeconomic status, performance status ≥2 and age ≥60 years were associated with increased risk of malnutrition.

There was observed a high prevalence of moderate/severe malnutrition in cancer patients, with the increased risk of malnutrition associated with the presence of factors that can be assessed during hospital admission suggesting a higher alert of the medical and health care staff about the need for nutritional assessment and intervention.