Malnutrition among Cancer Patients in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Authors

  • Anuj K.C. Department of Medical Oncology, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, Dudhapati, Bhaktapur, Nepal
  • Bishnu Dutta Poudel Department of Medical Oncology, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, Dudhapati, Bhaktapur, Nepal
  • Ramila Shilpakar Department of Medical Oncology, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, Dudhapati, Bhaktapur, Nepal
  • Sudip Thapa Department of Medical Oncology, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, Dudhapati, Bhaktapur, Nepal
  • Rajiv Sharma Department of Medical Oncology, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, Dudhapati, Bhaktapur, Nepal
  • Bibek Acharya Department of Clinical Oncology, National Academy of Medical Sciences, Mahaboudha, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Sandhya Chapagain Department of Clinical Oncology, National Academy of Medical Sciences, Mahaboudha, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Ambuj Karn Department of Clinical Oncology, National Academy of Medical Sciences, Mahaboudha, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Saugat Poudel Department of Clinical Oncology, National Academy of Medical Sciences, Mahaboudha, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Bishal Paudel Department of Haematology, Civil Service Hospital, New Baneshwor, Kathmandu, Nepal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.7616

Keywords:

malnourishment; nutritional deficiency; screening.

Abstract

Introduction: Malnutrition is one of the most frequent disorders among cancer patients. It is seen in 50-90% of cancer patients. This high prevalence of malnutrition is very concerning as it is associated with reduced effective treatment, functional status, quality of life and survival. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of malnutrition among cancer patients in a tertiary care centre.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 95 cancer patients in the Department of Clinical Oncology of a tertiary care centre from 25 January 2022 to 25 July 2022. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 1192/2078/79). Convenience sampling was done. Patients were screened using Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment for malnutrition. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated.

Results: Among 95 cancer patients, 22 (23.15%) (15.10-32.90, 95% Confidence Interval) were malnourished.

Conclusions: The prevalence of malnutrition was found to be lower than in other studies done in similar settings. Nutritional assessment and support should be an integral part of care for gastrointestinal cancer.

Downloads

Published

2022-11-02

How to Cite

K.C., A., Poudel, B. D. ., Shilpakar, R. ., Thapa, S. ., Sharma, R. ., Acharya, B. ., Chapagain, S. ., Karn, A. ., Poudel, S. ., & Paudel, B. . (2022). Malnutrition among Cancer Patients in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study. Journal of Nepal Medical Association, 60(255), 959–961. https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.7616

Issue

Vol. 60 No. 255 (2022): JNMA: Published Monthly

Section

Original Article

License

Copyright (c) 2022 Dr Anuj K.C.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

JNMA allow to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of its articles and allow readers to use them for any other lawful purpose. The author(s) are allowed to retain publishing rights without restrictions. The JNMA work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. More about Copyright Policy.

Most read articles by the same author(s)