Cancer-related malnutrition and sarcopenia risk prevalence: Is there a difference?
Belinda Steer1,2, Kate Graham1, Nicole Kiss3, Jenelle Loeliger1,21Nutrition and Speech Pathology Department, Peter Maccallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic, Australia2School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia3Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic, Australia
Abstract
Background: The presence of malnutrition and sarcopenia can lead to significant impacts on cancer patients, including reduced quality of life and increased mortality. Cancer-related malnutrition prevalence in Victorian health services is well documented, but the intersect between the prevalence of cancer-related malnutrition and sarcopenia is less well known.
Aim: To determine the prevalence of malnutrition and sarcopenia risk within the Victorian adult cancer population.
Methods: A multi-site point prevalence study was conducted across Victorian acute health services in July 2022. Adults with cancer receiving ambulatory treatment, and multi-day stay inpatients were included. Malnutrition was assessed using GLIM criteria and sarcopenia risk assessed using the SARC-F + calf circumference.
Results: Twenty-one health services recruited 1705 adult oncology patients (n=292 inpatients, 17%). Overall malnutrition prevalence was 32% with a significant difference (p<0.005) between inpatients and ambulatory patients (53% and 28% respectively). Sarcopenia risk was present in 21% of all patients using SARC-F + calf circumference and was significantly higher (p<0.0005) in inpatients (35% inpatients; 18% ambulatory). Four of the 5 top tumour streams most at risk of sarcopenia also had the highest malnutrition prevalence. Malnutrition and sarcopenia risk was present in 14% of all patients, and of those not at risk of malnutrition, 13% were at risk of sarcopenia.
Conclusion: Malnutrition continues to be highly prevalent in adult oncology patients, and sarcopenia risk was found to also be a significant issue. This study demonstrates the importance of a nutrition-focused clinical model that includes a systematised risk screening program for both malnutrition and sarcopenia.
Biography
Belinda Steer is the Joint Head of the Nutrition and Speech Pathology Department at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. She is an accredited practicing dietitian with 20 years of clinical and operational experience.
Her passion for oncology care stems from her desire to improve the patients’ experience during their cancer journey.
Belinda’s clinical, project and research interests span across upper GI cancer, identifying and managing cancer malnutrition, food and nutrition provision in acute hospitals, and implementing evidence into practice.