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The Prevalence of Malnutrition in Oncology Patients in a Greek General Hospital. Evaluation Using Anthropometric and Laboratory Measurements

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Hellenic Journal of Surgery

Abstract

Background and Purpose

The incidence of malnutrition in oncology patients is high, and it depends on the type, location and stage of the tumor and on the treatment. In this empirical study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition in adults with cancer in a Greek general hospital and to investigate the relationship between objective and subjective nutritional assessment of the patients.

Methods

We assessed the nutritional status of 88 oncology patients within 48 hours of admission, using the three nutrition screening tools Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) and Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST). The degree of malnutrition was determined using anthropometric measurements and laboratory nutrition-related parameters.

Results

In this Greek hospital, the rate of malnutrition risk in patients with cancer varied, ranging from 35.3% to 45.5%, depending on the nutrition screening tool used. Men, elderly patients and patients with gastric cancer were demonstrated to be at higher risk of malnutrition. Malnourished patients showed significant weight loss, with anorexia being the main gastrointestinal symptom. The objective laboratory nutrition parameters did not always indicate nutritional deficiency, but the anthropometric measurements showed a decrease in these patients.

Conclusions

The problem of malnutrition among Greek oncology patients appears to be significant and there is a need for further efforts in its detection and management.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Chemistry, Athens, Greece

    Eleni Papaefstathiou & N Trakas

  2. Department of Surgery, Athens, Greece

    K Alexiou, Maria Terzopoulou, Dimitra Bethani & N Economou

  3. Department of Thoracic Surgery, Athens, Greece

    A Lioulias

  4. Department of Hematology, “Sismanoglio” General Hospital, Athens, Greece

    P Pagkratis

  5. Department of Surgery, Kalamata General Hospital, Athens, Greece

    N Sikalias

  6. Department of Nutrition and Biochemistry, Athens School of Public Health, Athens, Greece

    Areti Tsoga

Authors
  1. Eleni Papaefstathiou
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  2. K Alexiou
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  3. Maria Terzopoulou
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  4. N Sikalias
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  5. Dimitra Bethani
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  6. Areti Tsoga
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  7. N Economou
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  8. A Lioulias
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  9. P Pagkratis
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  10. N Trakas
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Correspondence to Eleni Papaefstathiou.

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Papaefstathiou, E., Alexiou, K., Terzopoulou, M. et al. The Prevalence of Malnutrition in Oncology Patients in a Greek General Hospital. Evaluation Using Anthropometric and Laboratory Measurements. Hellenic J Surg 90, 246–253 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13126-018-0483-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13126-018-0483-x

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