Malnutrition was associated with poor quality of life in colorectal cancer: a retrospective analysis.
OBJECTIVE
Malnutrition is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in advanced colorectal cancer, and little is known about its relationship with quality of life (QoL). We investigated the relationship between nutritional status and QoL in colorectal cancer.


METHODS
We examined a case series of 58 stage III-IV colorectal cancer patients treated at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Nutritional status was evaluated using laboratory measures of serum albumin, prealbumin, and transferrin, subjective global assessment (SGA) and bioelectrical impedance analysis. QoL was evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30).


RESULTS
The prevalence of malnutrition, as determined by SGA, was 41% (24 of 58). Well-nourished patients had statistically significantly better QoL scores on the global, physical, and role functions compared to malnourished patients. Interestingly, the median role function score in well-nourished patients was 41.6 points higher than the corresponding score in malnourished patients, indicating a "much better" functioning from a patient's perspective. Similarly, QoL scores on multiple symptom scales were statistically significantly better among well-nourished patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that malnutrition is associated with poor QoL, as measured by the QLQ-C30 in colorectal cancer.
Gupta
Digant
D
Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Midwestern Regional Medical Center, Operations Center, Office of Research, 2610 Sheridan Road, Zion, IL 60099, USA. digant.gupta@ctca-hope.com
Lis
Christopher G
CG
Granick
Joel
J
Grutsch
James F
JF
Vashi
Pankaj G
PG
Lammersfeld
Carolyn A
CA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001069:Appetite Regulation; D001823:Body Composition; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies