Fatigue at baseline is associated with geriatric impairments and represents an adverse prognostic factor in older patients with a hematological malignancy

Multidimensional Predictors of Cancer-Related Fatigue Based on the Predisposing, Precipitating, and Perpetuating (3P) Model: A Systematic Review

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a widespread symptom with high prevalence in cancer patients, seriously affecting their quality of life. In the context of precision care, constructing machine learning-based prediction models for early screening and assessment of CRF is beneficial to this situation. To further understand the predictors of CRF for model construction, we conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus databases, combining CRF with predictor-related terms. A total of 27 papers met the inclusion criteria. We evaluated the above studies into three subgroups following the predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating (3P) factor model. (1) Predisposing factors-baseline fatigue, demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, psychosocial traits and physical symptoms. (2) Precipitating factors-type and stage of chemotherapy, inflammatory factors, laboratory indicators and metabolic changes. (3) Perpetuating factors-a low level of physical activity and poorer nutritional status. Future research should prioritize large-scale prospective studies with emerging technologies to identify accurate predictors of CRF. The assessment and management of CRF should also focus on the above factors, especially the controllable precipitating factors, to improve the quality of life of cancer survivors.

Determinants of Cancer-Related Fatigue among Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review

Objectives: This systematic review aims to assess and explore various determinants of cancer- related fatigue. Methods: A systematic search of various determinants of Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) was performed in different databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct and Clinical Key dating from 1990 to September 2020. Results: A total of 6115 studies were screened and 95 articles related to determinants of fatigue were retained. Various modifiable and non-modifiable determinants including socio-demographic, clinical, treatment related, plasma biomarker related, genetic, behavioural, concurrent symptoms related and psychological determinants were identified. Depression was one of the significant factors reported in 28% of studies, followed by pain, (17%), performance status (16%), chemotherapy and anxiety (15%). Conclusion: It is recommended that nurses and clinicians should anticipate, identify and take appropriate interventions to manage those modifiable factors. Ultimately, managing the modifiable factors helps in the comprehensive care of cancer patients.

Prevalence of cancer-related fatigue based on severity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) affects therapeutic compliance and clinical outcomes including recurrence and mortality. This study aimed to comprehensively and comparatively assess the severity-based prevalence of CRF. From two public databases (PubMed and Cochrane Library), we extracted data containing information on both prevalence and severity of fatigue in cancer patients through December 2021. We conducted a meta-analysis to produce point estimates using random effects models. Subgroup analyses were used to assess the prevalence and severity by the organ/system tumor development, treatment phase, therapeutic type, sex and assessment method. A total of 151 data (57 studies, 34,310 participants, 11,805 males and 22,505 females) were selected, which indicated 43.0% (95% CI 39.2-47.2) of fatigue prevalence. The total CRF prevalence including 'mild' level of fatigue was 70.7% (95% CI 60.6-83.3 from 37 data). The prevalence of 'severe' fatigue significantly varied by organ/system types of cancer origin (highest in brain tumors 39.7% vs. lowest in gynecologic tumors 3.9%) and treatment phase likely 15.9% (95% CI 8.1-31.3) before treatment, 33.8% (95% CI 27.7-41.2) ongoing treatment, and 24.1% (95% CI 18.6-31.2) after treatment. Chemotherapy (33.1%) induced approximately 1.5-fold higher prevalence for 'severe' CRF than surgery (22.0%) and radiotherapy (24.2%). The self-reported data for 'severe' CRF was 20-fold higher than those assessed by physicians (23.6% vs. 1.6%). Female patients exhibited a 1.4-fold higher prevalence of 'severe' fatigue compared to males. The present data showed quantitative feature of the prevalence and severity of CRF based on the cancer- or treatment-related factors, sex, and perspective of patient versus physician. In the context of the medical impact of CRF, our results provide a comparative reference to oncologists or health care providers making patient-specific decision.

Simultaneous exercise stress cardiac magnetic resonance and cardiopulmonary exercise testing to elucidate the Fick components of aerobic exercise capacity: a feasibility and reproducibility study and pilot study in hematologic cancer survivors

BACKGROUND

Patients treated for hematologic malignancy often experience reduced exercise capacity and increased fatigue; however whether this reduction is related to cardiac dysfunction or impairment of skeletal muscle oxygen extraction during activity is unknown. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) coupled with stress cardiac magnetic resonance (ExeCMR), may provide a noninvasive method to identify the abnormalities of cardiac function or skeletal muscle oxygen extraction. This study was performed to determine the feasibility and reproducibility of a ExeCMR + CPET technique to measure the Fick components of peak oxygen consumption (VO2) and pilot its discriminatory potential in hematologic cancer patients experiencing fatigue.

METHODS

We studied 16 individuals undergoing ExeCMR to determine exercise cardiac reserve with simultaneous measures of VO2. The arteriovenous oxygen content difference (a-vO2diff) was calculated as the quotient of VO2/cardiac index (CI). Repeatability in measurements of peak VO2, CI, and a-vO2diff was assessed in seven healthy controls. Finally, we measured the Fick determinants of peak VO2 in hematologic cancer survivors with fatigue (n = 6) and compared them to age/gender-matched healthy controls (n = 6).

RESULTS

Study procedures were successfully completed without any adverse events in all subjects (N = 16, 100%). The protocol demonstrated good-excellent test-retest reproducibility for peak VO2 (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.992 [95%CI:0.955-0.999]; P < 0.001), peak CI (ICC = 0.970 [95%CI:0.838-0.995]; P < 0.001), and a-vO2diff (ICC = 0.953 [95%CI:0.744-0.992]; P < 0.001). Hematologic cancer survivors with fatigue demonstrated a significantly lower peak VO2 (17.1 [13.5-23.5] vs. 26.0 [19.7-29.5] mL·kg-1·min-1, P = 0.026) and lower peak CI (5.0 [4.7-6.3] vs. 7.4 [7.0-8.8] L·min-1/m2, P = 0.004) without a significant difference in a-vO2diff (14.4 [11.8-16.9] vs. 13.6 [10.9-15.4] mLO2/dL, P = 0.589).

CONCLUSIONS

Noninvasive measurement of peak VO2 Fick determinants is feasible and reliable with an ExeCMR + CPET protocol in those treated for a hematologic malignancy and may offer insight into the mechanisms of exercise intolerance in those experiencing fatigue.

Association of anorexia/appetite loss with malnutrition and mortality in older populations: A systematic literature review

Anorexia/appetite loss in older subjects is frequently underrecognized in clinical practice, which may reflect deficient understanding of clinical sequelae. Therefore, we performed a systematic literature review to assess the morbidity and mortality burden of anorexia/appetite loss in older populations. Following PRISMA guidelines, searches were run (1 January 2011 to 31 July 2021) in PubMed, Embase® and Cochrane databases to identify English language studies of adults aged ≥ 65 years with anorexia/appetite loss. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts and full text of identified records against pre-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Population demographics were extracted alongside risk of malnutrition, mortality and other outcomes of interest. Of 146 studies that underwent full-text review, 58 met eligibility criteria. Most studies were from Europe (n = 34; 58.6%) or Asia (n = 16; 27.6%), with few (n = 3; 5.2%) from the United States. Most were conducted in a community setting (n = 35; 60.3%), 12 (20.7%) were inpatient based (hospital/rehabilitation ward), 5 (8.6%) were in institutional care (nursing/care homes) and 7 (12.1%) were in other (mixed or outpatient) settings. One study reported results separately for community and institutional settings and is counted in both settings. Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ Simplified, n = 14) and subject-reported appetite questions (n = 11) were the most common methods used to assess anorexia/appetite loss, but substantial variability in assessment tools was observed across studies. The most commonly reported outcomes were malnutrition and mortality. Malnutrition was assessed in 15 studies, with all reporting a significantly higher risk of malnutrition in older individuals with anorexia/appetite loss (vs. without) regardless of country or healthcare setting (community n = 9, inpatient n = 2, institutional n = 3, other n = 2). Of 18 longitudinal studies that assessed mortality risk, 17 (94%) reported a significant association between anorexia/appetite loss and mortality regardless of either healthcare setting (community n = 9, inpatient n = 6, institutional n = 2) or method used to assess anorexia/appetite loss. This association between anorexia/appetite loss and mortality was observed in cohorts with cancer (as expected) but was also observed in older populations with a range of comorbid conditions other than cancer. Overall, our findings demonstrate that, among individuals aged ≥ 65 years, anorexia/appetite loss is associated with increased risk of malnutrition, mortality and other negative outcomes across community, care home and hospital settings. Such associations warrant efforts to improve and standardize screening, detection, assessment and management of anorexia/appetite loss in older adults.

Anorexia in Medicare Fee-for-Service Beneficiaries: A Claims-Based Analysis of Epidemiology and Mortality

OBJECTIVES

Loss of appetite in older adults can lead to malnutrition, weight loss, frailty, and death, but little is known about its epidemiology in the United States (US). The objective of this study was to estimate the annual prevalence and incidence of anorexia in older adults with Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) health insurance.

DESIGN

Retrospective and observational analysis of administrative health insurance claims data.

SETTING

This study included Medicare FFS claims from all settings (eg, hospital inpatient/outpatient, office, assisted living facility, skilled nursing facility, hospice, rehabilitation facility, home).

PARTICIPANTS

This study included all individuals aged 65 to 115 years old with continuous Medicare FFS medical coverage (Parts A and/or B) for at least one 12-month period from October 1, 2015, to September 30, 2021 (ie, approximately 30 million individuals each year).

INTERVENTION

Not applicable.

MEASUREMENTS

Anorexia was identified using medical claims with the ICD-10 diagnosis code "R63.0: Anorexia". This study compared individuals with anorexia to a control group without anorexia with respect to demographics, comorbidities using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Claims-based Frailty Index (CFI), and annual mortality. The annual prevalence and incidence of anorexia were estimated for each 12-month period from October 1, 2015, to September 30, 2021.

RESULTS

The number of individuals with anorexia ranged from 317,964 to 328,977 per year, a mean annual prevalence rate of 1.1%. The number of individuals newly diagnosed with anorexia ranged from 243,391 to 281,071 per year, a mean annual incidence rate of 0.9%. Individuals with anorexia had a mean (±standard deviation) age of 80.5±8.7 years (vs 74.9±7.5 years without anorexia; p<.001), 64.4% were female (vs 53.8%; p<.001), and 78.4% were White (vs 83.2%; p<.001). The most common CCI comorbidities for those with anorexia were chronic pulmonary disease (39.4%), dementia (38.3%), and peripheral vascular disease (38.0%). Median (interquartile range [IQR]) CCI with anorexia was 4 [5] (vs 1 [3] without anorexia; p<.001). The annual mortality rate among those with anorexia was 22.3% (vs 4.1% without anorexia; relative risk 5.49 [95% confidence interval, 5.45-5.53]).

CONCLUSION

Approximately 1% of all adults aged 65-115 years old with Medicare FFS insurance are diagnosed with anorexia each year based on ICD-10 codes reported in claims. These individuals have a higher comorbidity burden and an increased risk of annual mortality compared to those without a diagnosis of anorexia. Further analyses are needed to better understand the relationship between anorexia, comorbidities, frailty, mortality, and other health outcomes.

Assessment of Changes in Symptoms Is Feasible and Prognostic in the Last Weeks of Life: An International Multicenter Cohort Study

Background: Symptoms are not typically part of established various prognostic factors and scoring systems but are among the most frequently assessed issues in patient care. Objectives: To evaluate that, changes in symptoms can provide additional useful prognostic information. Design: A secondary analysis of an international cohort study in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. Setting/Subjects: Subjects were adult patients with advanced cancer (n = 2074) who were admitted to 37 palliative care units (PCUs) in 3 countries from January 2017 to September 2018. Measurements: Symptoms (dyspnea, fatigue, dry mouth, and drowsiness) were assessed at admission and one-week later. Dyspnea was assessed by the presence of resting and exertional dyspnea, whereas other symptoms were assessed using the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scales (IPOS) (range 0-4). For analysis, we grouped patients by symptom change, as either Improved, Stable, or Worsened (by having at least a one increment decrease, no change, or at least a one increment increase, respectively). Results: Worsened groups had the shortest survival (median survival 15-21 days) compared with those with Improved (median survival 23-31 days) and Stable symptoms (median survival 27-29 days) across all four symptoms (dyspnea, fatigue, dry mouth, and drowsiness). Survival differences were statistically significantly different across all three groups for all symptoms (all p < 0.001). Interestingly, Improved symptoms were associated with similar survival compared with Stable groups, with no statistical differences. Conclusions: Worsened symptoms at one week after admission were useful predictors of survival for patients with advanced cancer in PCUs during the final weeks of life. Longitudinal assessments are needed to reflect passage of time as well as impact of treatments.

Chronic Illness and Fatigue in Older Individuals: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Fatigue is a symptom experienced by 40%-74% of older individuals in the United States. Despite its significance, clinicians face challenges helping individuals to manage or reduce fatigue levels. Some management issues are attributable to the ambiguity around the risk factors, consequences, and the effect of fatigue management strategies.

METHODS

A literature review was conducted using four databases to identify themes in relation to risk factors, consequences, and management strategies from research studies about fatigue in older individuals with chronic diseases.

RESULTS

Findings on fatigue risk factors, such as age, body mass index, and marital status, were contradictory. There was a positive association between fatigue and comorbidities, depression, and anxiety and a negative relationship between fatigue and physical activity, sleep, educational status, and socioeconomic status. Fatigue was perceived as a state of "feebleness" and negatively impacted individuals' quality of life. Consequences of fatigue included tiredness, sleepiness, depression, anxiety, worse sense of purpose in life, poor self-care, and an increased β-amyloid load. Predictors of worse fatigue consequences included functional health, symptom burden, subjective health, and self-acceptance. Fatigue management strategies included physical activity, rest, sleep, maintaining normal hemoglobin levels, and acetyl-l-carnitine supplementation.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review is of value to older individuals with chronic illnesses, researchers, and clinicians who strive to improve the quality of life of individuals experiencing fatigue. To prevent undesirable consequences of fatigue, older individuals should be screened for the discussed modifiable risk factors of fatigue. The inconsistencies in the studies reviewed can guide researchers to potential research areas that require further inquiry and exploration to ground future practice on best scientific evidence.

Sleep problems and their interaction with physical activity and fatigue in hematological cancer patients during onset of high dose chemotherapy

PURPOSE

Sleep problems reported by hematological cancer patients are usually linked to higher levels of cancer-related fatigue. Although the awareness of sleep problems in solid cancer patients is rising, there has been less attention to the issue in hematological cancer patients. The present study assesses the differences in sleep by comparing physical activity and fatigue levels among hematological cancer patients during the onset of chemotherapy. Furthermore, it investigates the relationship between sleep, physical activity, and fatigue through mediation analysis.

METHODS

The recruited sample consists of 58 newly diagnosed hematological cancer patients (47.1 ± 15.4 yrs; 51.7% males). Subjects completed questionnaires assessing sleep (PSQI), physical activity (visual analogue scale), fatigue (MFI-20), anxiety, depression (HADS), and quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30) within two weeks from starting treatment.

RESULTS

The sample reported more sleep problems in comparison to the German population norm. The classification as good (ca 25%) or bad sleepers (ca 75%) showed less frequent physical activity (p = .04), higher fatigue (p = .032), anxiety (p = .003), depression (p = .011) and pain (p = .011) in bad sleepers. The mediation analysis revealed significant indirect effects of sleep on fatigue through physical activity habits.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the combined action of sleep problems and physical activity on fatigue during the onset of induction chemotherapy. These two parameters could represent meaningful intervention targets to improve a patient's status during chemotherapy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was registered on the WHO trial register (DRKS00007824).

The factor structure of major depressive symptoms in a sample of Chinese earthquake survivors

BACKGROUND

Experiencing natural disasters is associated with common mental disorders including major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the latent structure of MDD is widely debated, and few studies tested the MDD factor structure in Chinese natural disaster survivors. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the factorial validity of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for DSM-5 major depressive disorder (MDD) symptoms in Chinese earthquake survivors.

METHOD

Participants were 1058 Chinese earthquake survivors. Self-reported measures included the PHQ-9 and the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to examine the latent structure of MDD and the associations between latent factors of MDD and different domains of health-related quality of life (HRQoL), respectively.

RESULTS

In the current sample, the model consisted of somatic and cognitive/affective (non-somatic) factors demonstrated significantly better fit than the other competing MDD models (χ² = 173.89, df = 26, CFI = 0.986, TLI = 0.981, RMSEA = 0.073, BIC = 18,091.13). Further SEM analyses indicated that the non-somatic factor was significantly related to both physical (β = - 0.362, p < .01) and psychosocial HRQoL (β = - 0.773, p < .01), while the somatic factor was a uniquely predictor of physical HRQoL (β = - 0.336, p < .01). Furthermore, we found the somatic factor partially mediated the relationship between the cognitive/affective factor and physical HRQoL (all ps < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The MDD symptoms was best captured by a two-factor model comprised of somatic and cognitive/affective factors in Chinese natural disaster survivors. The two MDD factors were differentially associated with physical and psychosocial HRQoL, and the cognitive/affective factor associated physical HRQoL partially through the somatic factor. The current findings increase our understanding of latent structure of MDD symptoms, and carry implications for assessment and intervention of post-disaster mental health problems.

Glasdegib plus low-dose cytarabine for acute myeloid leukemia: Practical considerations from advanced practitioners and pharmacists

Objective

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is primarily a disease of older adults. These patients may not be candidates for intensive treatment, and there has been an ongoing need for treatment options for this group. We review the use of glasdegib, a hedgehog-pathway inhibitor available for use in combination with low-dose cytarabine (LDAC).

Data Sources: PubMed and relevant congress abstracts were searched using the term “glasdegib”. In addition, based on our experience with glasdegib, we considered treatment aspects of particular relevance to pharmacists and advanced practitioners.

Data Summary: In a randomized phase II study, the combination of glasdegib plus LDAC demonstrated superior overall survival versus LDAC alone (hazard ratio 0.51, 80% confidence interval 0.39–0.67, p = 0.0004). The trial reported adverse events (AEs) of special relevance for older patients, such as hematologic events, gastrointestinal toxicity, and fatigue, as well as AEs associated with Hh-pathway inhibitors (alopecia, muscle spasms, dysgeusia). Educating patients about typical AEs can facilitate adherence as well as early AE identification and proactive management. For LDAC, which is a long-established therapy in AML, various stages of delivery need consideration, with attention to individual circumstances. Practical measures such as dispensing a longer supply can reduce the number of return clinic visits, providing a meaningful difference for many patients.

Conclusions

Pharmacists and advanced practitioners play important roles in treatment with glasdegib plus LDAC. Ultimately, framing plans for treatment delivery within the individual circumstances of each patient may enable them to stay on therapy longer, giving them the greatest potential to achieve benefit.

How to select older patients with acute myeloid leukemia fit for intensive treatment?

Outcomes of the treatment of older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are unsatisfactory due to a higher incidence of negative patient- and disease-related risk factors connected with aging. Prediction of poor tolerance to aggressive treatment and low response to standard intensive chemotherapy are the main root causes why the treatment decision is challenging. For a long time, negative prognostic factors for treatment outcomes, overall survival, and early death such as the age itself, low-performance status, high-comorbidity burden, adverse cytogenetics, and secondary AML have been known, and they are routinely taken into account during therapeutic balance. In consideration of the risk factors and specific laboratory results, prognostic models have been created. Despite the abovementioned facts, the survival of older patients with AML remains very poor, that holds true even for the intensive therapy. For that reason, there is an increased effort to find a better approach how to select patients who would benefit from intensive treatment without decreasing their quality of life through severe complications with risk of high treatment-related mortality. Based on the results of clinical studies, the geriatric assessment could be the missing step which would help select older patients who are really fit for intensive treatment and who will benefit from it the most. This review focuses on the risk factors that should be taken under advisement when the decision about the treatment is made. With reference to the published information, we propose an algorithm how to identify fit, vulnerable, and frail patients.

Protein intake, weight loss, dietary intervention, and worsening of quality of life in older patients during chemotherapy for cancer

Decreased health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is common in patients with cancer. We investigated the effects of dietary intervention and baseline nutritional status on worsening of HRQoL in older patients during chemotherapy. In this randomized control trial assessing the effect on mortality of dietary advice to increase dietary intake during chemotherapy, this post hoc analysis included 155 patients with cancer at risk of malnutrition. The effects of dietary intervention, baseline Mini Nutritional Assessment item scores, weight loss, and protein and energy intake before treatment on the worsening of HRQoL (physical functioning, fatigue) and secondary outcomes (Timed Up and Go test, one-leg stance time, depressive symptoms, basic (ADL), or instrumental (IADL) activities of daily living) were analyzed by multinomial regressions. Dietary intervention increased total energy and protein intake but had no effect on any examined outcomes. Worsening of fatigue and ADL was predicted by very low protein intake (< 0.8 g kg^-1 day^-1) before chemotherapy (OR 3.02, 95% CI 1.22-7.46, p = 0.018 and OR 5.21, 95% CI 1.18-22.73, p = 0.029 respectively). Increase in depressive symptomatology was predicted by 5.0-9.9% weight loss before chemotherapy (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.10-6.80, p = 0.038). Nutritional intervention to prevent HRQoL decline during chemotherapy should focus on patients with very low protein intake along with those with weight loss.

Geriatric assessment in older patients with a hematologic malignancy: a systematic review

The aim of this systematic review is to give an update of all currently available evidence on the relevance of a geriatric assessment in the treatment of older patients with hematologic malignancies. A systematic search in MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed to find studies in which a geriatric assessment was used to detect impaired geriatric domains or to address the association between geriatric assessment and survival or clinical outcome measures. The literature search included 4,629 reports, of which 54 publications from 44 studies were included. Seventy-three percent of the studies were published in the last 5 years. The median age of the patients was 73 years (range, 58-86) and 71% had a good World Health Organization (WHO) performance status. The median prevalence of geriatric impairments varied between 17% and 68%, even in patients with a good WHO performance status. Polypharmacy, nutritional status and instrumental activities of daily living were most frequently impaired. Whereas several geriatric impairments and frailty (based on a frailty screening tool or summarized geriatric assessment score) were predictive for a shorter overall survival, WHO performance status lost its predictive value in most studies. The association between geriatric impairments and treatment-related toxicity varied, with a trend towards a higher risk of (non-)hematologic toxicity in frail patients. During the follow-up, frailty seemed to be associated with treatment non-completion, especially when patients were malnourished. Patients with a good physical capacity had a shorter stay in hospital and a lower rate of hospitalization. Geriatric assessment, even in patients with a good performance status, can detect impaired geriatric domains and these impairments may be predictive of mortality. Moreover, geriatric impairments suggest a higher risk of treatment-related toxicity, treatment non-completion and use of healthcare services. A geriatric assessment should be considered before starting treatment in older patients with hematologic malignancies.

Malnutrition in Older Patients With Hematological Malignancies at Initial Diagnosis - Association With Impairments in Health Status, Systemic Inflammation and Adverse Outcome

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Poor nutritional status is a common problem in cancer patients at advanced age, but the prevalence and impact of malnutrition in hematological malignancies remains underinvestigated. To evaluate nutritional status in older adults over age 70 with newly diagnosed hematological malignancies, we enrolled 147 patients and assessed weight loss, food intake, Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and BMI. We compared nutritional status with demographic data, inflammation markers, and restrictions in multidimensional geriatric assessment. MNA classified 43% of patients being at risk of, and 15% having manifest malnutrition. A moderate/severe decrease in food intake was reported by 24% or 16%, a recent weight loss of 1 to 3 kg or >3 kg by 19% or 31%, and a BMI <23 kg/m² by 29%. Lowered serum albumin (<3.5 g/dL) was prevalent in 14% of patients, and in 38% Glasgow Prognostic Score indicated hyperinflammation. Principal component analysis clustered malnutrition with inflammation markers and pronounced impairments, that is, fatigue, depression, comorbidities, reduced functional capacities. Severe decrease in food intake (HR: 3.3 (1.9–5.8), p < 0.001), >3 kg weight loss (HR: 2.3 (1.4–3.9), p = 0.001), impaired MNA (HR: 2.8 (1.3–6.2), p = 0.010), and low serum albumin (HR: 2.1 (1.1–4.0), p = 0.030) were significantly associated with shortened overall survival. Recent weight loss >3 kg (HR: 2.2 (1.1–4.3), p = 0.022), and low BMI (HR: 3.3 (1.8–6.0), p < 0.001) remained independent adverse parameters in multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses. Malnourishment at initial diagnosis is frequent in older patients with hematological malignancies and represents an adverse prognosticator. Clustering of malnutrition with impairments and systemic inflammation suggests an underlying common pathway.

Prevalence of Malnutrition in Older Hospitalized Cancer Patients: A Multicenter and Multiregional Study

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition is frequent in older cancer patients, with a prevalence that ranges from 25% to 85%. The aging process is associated with several physiological changes, which may have implications for nutritional status. Screening tools can be useful for identifying malnutrition status among older patients with cancer.

METHODS

A hospital-based multicenter cohort study that included 44 institutions in Brazil. The Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) was administered to 3061 older hospitalized cancer patients within 48 hoursof admission. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to test the sample distribution, considering sex, age range, calf circumference, body mass index, and MNA-SF score and classification. The categorical data were expressed by frequencies (n) and percentages (%)and compared using the chi-square test or Tukey test.

RESULTS

According to the results of the MNA-SF, 33.4% of the patients were malnourished, 39.3% were at risk of malnutrition, and 27.3% were classified as having normal nutritional status. Length of hospital stay (in days) was found to be longer for those patients with a poorer nutritional status (malnourished: 7.07±7.58; at risk of malnutrition: 5.45±10.73; normal status: 3.9±5,84; p <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of malnutrition and nutritional risk is high in older hospitalized cancer patients in all the regions of Brazil and a worse nutritional status is associated with a longer hospital stay. Using a low-cost, effective nutritional screening tool for older cancer patients will enable specialized nutritional interventions and avoid inequities in the quality of cancer care worldwide.