Exploring Malnutrition Risk in Cancer Chemotherapy Patients: An Assessment of Associated Factors in a Tertiary Care Cancer Center

G Hari Prakash; Sunil Kumar D; Kiran PK; Vanishri Arun; Deepika Yadav; Arun Gopi

doi:10.31557/apjcc.2024.9.1.93-96

Authors

G Hari Prakash Department of Community Medicine, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, India.
Sunil Kumar D Department of Community Medicine, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, India.
Kiran PK Department of Medical Oncology, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research Mysuru, India.
Vanishri Arun Department of Information Science and Engineering, SJCE, JSS STU, Mysuru, India.
Deepika Yadav Department of Community Medicine, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, India.
Arun Gopi Department of Community Medicine, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31557/apjcc.2024.9.1.93-96

Keywords:

Cancer patients, Chemotherapy, Malnutrition, Risk assessment

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the risk of malnutrition in cancer chemotherapy patients and identify associated factors.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study employed purposive sampling to collect data from patients at a tertiary care cancer center. The study included 101 participants. Data was collected using a malnutrition screening tool (MST) to assess the risk of malnutrition.

Results: The majority of participants were female (61.4%) and diagnosed with cancer in stage 3 or 4 (57.4% and 41.6%, respectively). Sixty-three point four percent (63.4%) of participants reported unintentional weight loss during chemotherapy, and 60.4% were at risk for malnutrition. Cancer stage was significantly associated with malnutrition risk, while other clinical variables were not.

Conclusion: Malnutrition is a significant issue among cancer chemotherapy patients in this study's population. The findings highlight the need for interventions to prevent and manage malnutrition in cancer patients. This could potentially improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment, particularly within the Indian population.