Original scientific paper
Use of nutritional status screening tests in evaluation of malnutrition of oncological patients
Nenad Vanis
; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinical Centre, University of Sarajevo, Referral Centre for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Amila Mehmedović
; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinical Centre, University of Sarajevo, Referral Centre for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Rusmir Mesihović
; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinical Centre, University of Sarajevo, Referral Centre for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Malnutrition is a common problem in cancer patients. It is well established that malnourished cancer patients have increased risks of morbidity and mortality when undergoing surgical procedures. It is also established that by increasing the lean body mass, these complications can be reduced. The role of nutrition in mitigating the surgical complications linked to the preoperative state of malnutrition, however, has not been well defined. Thus, the indications for using parenteral or enteral nutrition in the management of the cancer patient are not clearly established.
OBJECTIVE: To determine and evaluate malnutrition of oncological patients using nutritional status screening tests. To determine the usefulness of determining the nutritional status of patients on admission to hospital.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 739 patients, with pathohistological verified malignancy, were evaluated to determine individual nutritional status using the Nutrition Risk Screening (NRS) 2002, Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) questionnaires. Enrolled patients were hospitalized in the Clinical Centre University of Sarajevo and the study was performed during a period of four years (2006-2010).
RESULTS: In patients with pathohistological verified malignancy (n = 739), more than 60 % were nutritive deficient, according to all three evaluated tests. There were significantly more patients in malnutrition with BMI < 20% and with BMI 20-25% in all three tests (p < 0.001). There were significantly more patients with malnutrition with serum albumin level <35 g/l (p<0.001), and no significant malnutrition in patients with albumin level >35 g/l.
CONCLUSIONS: Cancer patients have major risk of malnutrition. More than 60% had moderate or severe malnutrition. NRS 2002, MUST and MNA are useful and simple tools for evaluating the nutritional status. Nutritional evaluation of cancer patients needs to be improved so as to offer better treatment of symptoms and to improve the patient’s quality of life. It should also be used as a routine assessment on admission to hospital.
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Hrčak ID:
278482
URI
Publication date:
21.10.2010.
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