Abstract
Background
Malnourishment is commonly seen in ageing, cancer and many chronic conditions, and
is associated with poorer prognosis.
Aim
We set out to collect all currently available evidence on the association between
nutritional status assessed with a validated screening tool and prognosis or course
of treatment in older patients with cancer, and on the benefit of nutritional interventions
in improving these outcomes.
Methods
A systematic search in MEDLINE and EMBASE.
Results
We included 71 studies on the association between nutritional status and outcome in
(older) patients with cancer and 17 studies on the benefit of nutritional interventions
in improving outcomes in this patient population. There is a significant association
between nutritional status and increased intermediate- and long-term mortality (hazard
ratio 1.87 (95% confidence interval 1.62–2.17). Those with poorer nutritional status
were less likely to complete oncologic treatment according to plan and had higher
health care consumption. Benefit of dietary interventions was limited although dietary
counselling may lead to improved quality of life while nutritional support may lead
to a decrease in post-operative complication rates.
Conclusion
Nutritional status is associated with poorer survival, decreased treatment completion
and higher health care consumption and nutritional interventions are only able to
negate these negatives outcome to a very limited degree.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 29, 2020
Accepted:
June 15,
2020
Received:
March 19,
2020
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
