Abstract
Objectives
The demographic transition towards aging heralds an increase in the number of geriatric patients with cancer in India. Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is a sine qua non for the treatment planning and shared decision-making in this group of patients. We aimed to study the prevalence of malnutrition and the associated risk factors in geriatric patients with solid organ cancer (SOC).
Methods
In this observational study, geriatric patients with cancer and naïve to systemic anti-cancer therapy underwent CGA. was We performed a Mini nutritional assessment (MNA) to diagnose malnutrition status. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, Pearson Chi-Square, Spearman correlation, and multivariable regression analysis to assess the factors associated with malnutrition.
Results
One hundred and forty-two patients were included in the analysis. The median age was 67 (range 60–88) years, with a male preponderance (73.2%) and a stage IV (75.4%) disease. The majority of the patients, 91.6% (n = 130), had abnormal MNA scores during CGA. Nearly 1/3rd of the subjects, 35.2% (n = 50), were underweight (Body-mass index < 18.5 Kg/m2). Poor performance status was seen in 30.3% of the subjects. Poor appetite (79.6%) was the most common risk factor, followed by addictions (73.1%), chronic constipation (35.9%), and polypharmacy (21.8%). Cognitive impairment and depression were seen in 35.2% and 57.1% of the subjects, respectively. The study found a significant correlation of MNA with age (p = 0.048), depression (P < 0.001), PS (P < 0.001), functional decline (P < 0.001), and cognition (P < 0.001).
Conclusions
There exists a widespread prevalence of malnutrition and amenable risk factors in geriatric cancer patients. Nutritional assessment is essential, and interventions should be implemented to improve clinical outcomes.