Malnutrition in Patients With Cancer: Comparison of Perceptions by Patients, Relatives, and Physicians—Results of the NutriCancer2012 Study. Issue 1 (11th December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gyan, Emmanuel; Raynard, Bruno; Durand, Jean‐Philippe; Lacau Saint Guily, Jean; Gouy, Sébastien; Movschin, Marie Lespiau; Khemissa, Faiza; Flori, Nicolas; Oziel‐Taieb, Sandrine; Bannier Braticevic, Cécile; Zeanandin, Gilbert; Hebert, Christophe; Savinelli, Francesco; Goldwasser, François; Hébuterne, Xavier
• Is Part Of: JPEN, Journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition. Volume 42:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 255
• Page End: 260
• Publication Date: 2017-12-11
• Subjects: malnutrition -- supportive care -- nutrition intervention -- quality of life -- caregiver; Parenteral feeding -- Periodicals; Enteral feeding -- Periodicals; 615.85484
• DOI: 10.1177/0148607116688881
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0148-6071

Abstract

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/m 2 in patients aged <70 years or ≤21 kg/m 2 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.