title: Cancer in home care: unintended weight loss and ethical challenges. A cross-sectional study of older people at 11 sites in Europe.
abstract: The aim of this study was to compare unintended weight loss in cancer patients to other elderly. Home care users, aged ≥65 from urban areas at 11 sites in Europe (N=4010) were assessed with the Resident Assessment Instrument for Home Care. Epidemiological and medical characteristics of clients and service utilization were recorded. A total of 321 (8%) patients had a cancer diagnosis; they were on average 80.4±7.3 years. Socio-demographic, functional and clinical parameters revealed small variations in the two groups. Compared to the non-cancer group, they more frequently suffered from: severe malnutrition (odds ratio=OR=2.4) unintended weight loss (OR=2.0), had been hospitalized during the last 6 months (OR=1.8). Older patients with cancer suffer more frequently from problems associated with nutrition than non-cancer patients. A comprehensive assessment could lead to better management of food and fluid supply based on basic ethical principles.
authors.affiliation: Diakonhjemmet University College, Box. 184, Vinderen, N-0319 Oslo, Norway. sorbye@diakonhjemmet.no
authors.forename: Liv Wergeland
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Sørbye
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000941:ethics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015431:Weight Loss