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Malnutrition in Older Adults with Cancer
Xiaotao Zhang1,2, Beatrice J Edwards3
1Department of Medicine, Epidemiology & Population Sciences, Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, MS: BCM307, Room 613D, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
Current Oncology Reports
|July 31, 2019
Summary
Malnutrition is a common geriatric condition in older adults with cancer, impacting survival and quality of life. Early detection and comprehensive prevention strategies are crucial for improving nutrition status in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Oncology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Malnutrition is a prevalent and often overlooked condition in elderly cancer patients.
- It significantly impacts patient outcomes, including survival and quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the public health implications of malnutrition in older adults with cancer.
- To explore the connections between cancer cachexia, malnutrition, and sarcopenia.
- To present clinical practice recommendations for malnutrition prevention and management.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on geriatric oncology and nutrition.
- Analysis of risk factors, assessment tools, and clinical outcomes associated with malnutrition.
- Synthesis of current evidence to formulate practice recommendations.
Main Results:
- Key risk factors include advanced age, cancer stage, frailty, cognitive impairment, and depression.
- Common assessment tools are the Mini Nutrition Assessment (MNA), Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST), and Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA).
- Malnutrition is linked to poorer survival, reduced quality of life, extended hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs.
Conclusions:
- Comprehensive malnutrition prevention is essential for enhancing the nutritional status of older cancer patients.
- Early identification and intervention are critical for mitigating the adverse effects of malnutrition.
- Addressing malnutrition can lead to improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare burden.
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