Malnutrition Indicate Poor Clinical Outcome in Patients With NPC: A Multicenter Cohort Study

The nutritional status of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and importance of nutrition have not been reported in large cohort study. The nutritional status of patients with NPC for treatment remains poorly understood. Nutritional status has been found with this study aimed to investigate the nutritional status and potential clinical risk factors affecting the survival of patients with NPC.

We conducted a multicenter, prospective, cross-sectional study on 1168 patients with primary and recurrent NPC at 17 academic centers between 2013 and 2021 using nutritional status data collected during the Investigation on Nutrition Status and its Clinical Outcome of Common Cancers cohort in China. Clinical outcomes and characteristics, including nutritional status, of the patients were also measured and recorded before the patient was admitted to the hospital to begin treatment.

There were 1004 and 164 patients with primary and recurrent NPC, respectively. In the NRS2002 nutritional risk score analyses, 98% were at risk of malnutrition and 13.24% were at risk of severe malnutrition. Patients reported a reduction in food intake, and 11.16% showed significant weight loss. Malnutrition status and poor clinical outcomes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma are positively correlated (PG-SGA score ≥ 9, HR = 4.60, p < 0.0001; BMI < 18.5, HR = 2.06, p = 0.049) and suggest that the need for patients to undergo nutritional assessment prior to treatment and to improve nutritional status through interventions if necessary.

The findings of this study suggest that most patients with NPC are malnourished. Malnutrition is significantly correlated with poor clinical outcomes. This study revealed that nutrition for patients with NPC is an important issue that needs attention, and it provides helpful information for patients' clinical management and surveillance.