Emmanuel Gyan1, Bruno Raynard2, Jean-Philippe Durand3, Jean Lacau Saint Guily4, Sébastien Gouy5, Marie Lespiau Movschin6, Faiza Khemissa7, Nicolas Flori8, Sandrine Oziel-Taieb9, Cécile Bannier Braticevic10, Gilbert Zeanandin11, Christophe Hebert12, Francesco Savinelli13, François Goldwasser3, Xavier Hébuterne11. 1. 1 Hematology and Cell Therapy, Tours Teaching Hospital (CHRU), Tours, France and Faculty of Medicine of Tours, University François Rabelais, Tours, France. 2. 2 Dietetic and Nutrition Unit, Gustave Roussy, Cancer Campus, Grand Paris, France. 3. 3 Medical Oncology, Cochin Teaching Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France and University Paris Descartes, Paris, France. 4. 4 Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Tenon Teaching Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France and University Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris VI, France. 5. 5 Gynecological Surgery, Gustave Roussy, Cancer Campus, Grand Paris, France. 6. 6 Digestive and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Pitié-Salpêtrière Teaching Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France and University Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris VI, France. 7. 7 Gastroenterology, Perpignan Hospital, Perpignan, France. 8. 8 Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterology, Cancer Institute (ICM Val d'Aurelle), Montpellier, France. 9. 9 Medical Oncology, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, France. 10. 10 Oncology and Geriatrics, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Marseille, France. 11. 11 Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition, Nice Teaching Hospital (CHU) and University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis Nice, France. 12. 12 Oncology, Antoine Lacassagne Institute, Nice, France. 13. 13 Medical Oncology, Saint-Joseph Hospital, Paris, France. A complete list of collaborators is presented in the acknowledgment section.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is a critical predictor of toxicity and outcome in patients with cancer and may be perceived differently by patients, relatives, and physicians. AIMS: To assess the prevalence of malnutrition in oncology departments and to compare it with the perceptions of nutrition status by patients themselves, their closest relatives, and attending physicians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 1-day multicentric cross-sectional survey on the prevalence of malnutrition was conducted in different oncology departments using patient-, relative-, and physician-specific questionnaires. Malnutrition was defined by a weight loss ≥5% within 1 month or ≥10% within 6 months, a body mass index ≤18.5 kg/m2 in patients aged <70 years or ≤21 kg/m2 in patients aged ≥70 years, and/or albuminemia <35 g/L. Questionnaires for assessing medical condition, knowledge of nutrition status, and perceptions of the impact of malnutrition on daily life were distributed to consenting patients, attending physicians, and closest relatives. RESULTS: A total of 2197 patients were included, and 2071 and 976 questionnaires were collected from patients and relatives, respectively. Prevalence of malnutrition was 39%. Physicians overestimated malnutrition (44%), whereas patients and relatives underestimated it (22% and 23%, respectively, P < .001). Conversely, malnutrition-associated symptoms were underestimated by physicians compared with patients and relatives. CONCLUSION: We found a prevalence of malnutrition of 39%: it was underestimated by patients and relatives and overestimated by physicians.
BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is a critical predictor of toxicity and outcome in patients with cancer and may be perceived differently by patients, relatives, and physicians. AIMS: To assess the prevalence of malnutrition in oncology departments and to compare it with the perceptions of nutrition status by patients themselves, their closest relatives, and attending physicians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 1-day multicentric cross-sectional survey on the prevalence of malnutrition was conducted in different oncology departments using patient-, relative-, and physician-specific questionnaires. Malnutrition was defined by a weight loss ≥5% within 1 month or ≥10% within 6 months, a body mass index ≤18.5 kg/m2 in patients aged <70 years or ≤21 kg/m2 in patients aged ≥70 years, and/or albuminemia <35 g/L. Questionnaires for assessing medical condition, knowledge of nutrition status, and perceptions of the impact of malnutrition on daily life were distributed to consenting patients, attending physicians, and closest relatives. RESULTS: A total of 2197 patients were included, and 2071 and 976 questionnaires were collected from patients and relatives, respectively. Prevalence of malnutrition was 39%. Physicians overestimated malnutrition (44%), whereas patients and relatives underestimated it (22% and 23%, respectively, P < .001). Conversely, malnutrition-associated symptoms were underestimated by physicians compared with patients and relatives. CONCLUSION: We found a prevalence of malnutrition of 39%: it was underestimated by patients and relatives and overestimated by physicians.
Keywords:
caregiver; malnutrition; nutrition intervention; quality of life; supportive care