Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 26, 2026
Evaluation of Colorectal Cancer Risk and Prevalence by Stool DNA Integrity Detection
Published on: June 8, 2020
Prevalence and factors associated with malnutrition in older patients with cancer
Xiaotao Zhang1, Linda Pang2, Shreela V Sharma3
1Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, United States; Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences, University of Texas, Health Science Center at Houston, United States.
Background:
>60% of patients with cancer are 65 years of age and older, and malnutrition is commonly encountered in older adults.
Objective:
To assess the prevalence and factors associated with malnutrition in older patients with cancer.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, patients with cancer underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). Malnutrition status was diagnosed by clinical assessment including screening tools such as Mini Nutrition Assessment (MNA), weight loss, and BMI.
Analysis:
Descriptive statistics, chi-Square and logistic regression analysis were used to assess factors associated with malnutrition.
Results:
A total of 454 patients with malnutrition information available were included in analysis. The median age was 78, range 65-96 years and comorbid diagnoses included dementia, mild cognitive impairment, frailty, and functional impairment. A total of 41.9% (n = 190) were diagnosed with malnutrition during the CGA. In the multivariable analysis, major depression and frailty were significantly associated with malnutrition. After controlling for potential confounders, patients who had malnutrition were 2.53-times more likely to have major depression (OR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.23-5.24, p = 0.01) and 3.82 times more likely to have frailty (OR = 3.82, 95% CI: 1.35-10.84, p = 0.01) than those without malnutrition.
Conclusions:
Despite significant advances in cancer and supportive care, malnutrition remains a significant and highly prevalent public health problem among older patients with cancer. Identifying factors associated with risk for malnutrition in this patient population can help develop preventive strategies as part of care. Prospective studies are recommended.
Related Concept Videos
01:08Prevalence and Incidence
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health...
01:29Factors Affecting Protein-Drug Binding: Patient-Related Factors
Age stands as a key determinant in protein-drug binding. Neonates, characterized by low albumin content, experience heightened concentrations of unbound drugs such as phenytoin and...
02:16Transcription Factors
04:01Factors Affecting Solubility
02:35Transcription Elongation Factors
The transcription elongation is regulated via pausing of RNA polymerase on several occasions during transcription. In bacteria, these halts are necessary because the transcription of DNA into mRNA is coupled to the translation of that mRNA...
01:19Factors Affecting Drug Distribution: Miscellaneous Factors
Age plays a significant role due to differences in body composition among different age groups. Infants, for instance, have a higher proportion of total body water and lower albumin levels, a protein that binds drugs in the bloodstream. This unique composition in infants enhances the...