Original scientific paper
Assessment of Nutritional Status in Cancer Patients in Osijek Health Area Center
Barbara Ebling
; University »J. J. Strossmayer«, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Internal Clinic, Osijek, Croatia
Vesna ¸ Brumnić
; University of Applied Sciences, Vukovar, Croatia
Zrinka Rendić-Miočević
; University of Zagreb, University Hospital Center »Sestre Milosrdnice«, University Hospital for Tumors, Department of Radiation Oncology, Zagreb, Croatia
Rudika Gmajnić
; University »J. J. Strossmayer«, School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Osijek, Croatia
Sanda Pribić
; University »J. J. Strossmayer«, School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Osijek, Croatia
Antonio Juretić
; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Department of Oncology, Zagreb, Croatia
Zdravko Ebling
; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Department of Oncology, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivana Muha
; Health Center Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Abstract
The aim of this research was to perform the nutritional screening and clinical assessment of malnutrition and of cachexia as well as the need for enteral nutritional support. We used an international questionnaire for nutrition screening and clinical assessment of malnutrition. 103 cancer patients participated in the research. The results indicate that 80 patients (78%) have recently unintentionally lost weight in the last six months. Of those 80 patients 12 (15%) have lost more than 15 kilograms. Three patients (3%) suffer from hunger because of their inability to eat. Presence of multiple (3 or more) symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or anorexia) was reported by 11 patients (11%). Severe work dysfunction was found in 28 patients (27%). 14 patients (14%) experience significant loss of musculature (musculus quadriceps femoris, musculus deltoideus). The obtained results indicate that 15 patients (14%) are severely, and 39 patients (38%) are moderately undernourished. This survey confirmed the significance of nutritional screening in cancer patients, as it detected 30 patients (29%) who required introduction of enteral nutrition.
Keywords
cachexia; malnutrition; malignant diseases; enteral nutrition
Hrčak ID:
120790
URI
Publication date:
31.3.2014.
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