Publication details

Title

Is screening for malnutrition useful in older patients with aggressive haematological malignancies?

Authors

Velghe,A.;Noens,L.;Demuynck,R.;Petrovic,M.

Publication Year

2013

Abstract

Introduction.- Malnutrition is frequent after the age of 70. It is a common feature in many types of cancer and responsible not only for a poor quality of life and poor treatment response but also for a shorter survival time. Early detection is important to allow targeted interventions. Patients with haematological malignancies have specific challenges associated with eating and nutrition because of the intensive treatments they endure. However, studies focusing on this aspect are scarce. We aimed to establish the usefulness of malnutrition screening in older patients considered for intensive chemotherapy. Methods.- Patients(greater-than or equal to)70 years, with an aggressive haematological malignancy were enrolled. Before the start of therapy a geriatric assessment was completed for each patient. To screen for malnutrition, we used the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA SF). Results.- Fifty patients were included, median age 76 years (range 70-87). Sixteen percent of the patients (n = 8) were malnourished and 66% (n = 33) were at risk. Of the malnourished patients, 50% (n = 4) had a BMI > 23. Apart from their haematological diagnosis, recent weight loss and declined food intake were the main MNA SF parameters predicting (risk of) malnutrition. For 12 patients (29%), (risk of) malnutrition was the only impairment detected by CGA. Conclusion.- Prevalence of (risk for) malnutrition in older patients with aggressive haematological malignancies is high and will further increase once chemotherapy has started. Instead of screening for malnutrition, nutritional assessment by a dietician, individualized dietary advice and follow up during treatment, should become a fundamental item in the treatment plan. [Poster P165, 9th Congress of the European Union Geriatric Medicine Society (EUGMS), Venice, Italy, October 2-4, 2013]

Journals

Eur Geriatr Med.

Volume

4

Issue

1

Startpage

S69

Endpage

Booktitle

Editors

City

Publisher

Abstract Link

www.europeangeriaticmedicine.com/issues?issue_key=S1878-7649(13)X0006-3

PDF Link

www.europeangeriaticmedicine.com/article/S1878-7649(13)00343-4/fulltext

Issnisbn

1878-7649

Reflist

0

Doi

doi:10.1016/j.eurger.2013.07.227

Pmid

Keywords

screening;malnutrition;patient;human;European Union;geriatrics;society;risk;nutritional assessment;chemotherapy;prevalence;nutrition;parameters;weight reduction;eating;survival time;diagnosis;food intake;treatment response;dietitian;follow up;geriatric as????