gms | German Medical Science

Problem: Malnutrition is linked with higher morbidity and mortality also in tumor patients (pat.).In order to ameliorate support possibilities, we determined the nutritional status in random selected pat. of the department hematology/ oncology on the day of admission for a new hospital stay,which took place in 89% of pat. in the frame of planned specific treatment. We also assessed the individual support service rendered by the department of nutritional medicine and dietetics.

Methods: In n=200 pat.(m/f:120/80),median age:59 J, n=116 with solid and n=84 with hematologic tumors the following parameters were assessed to define the nutritional status:height (cm),actual weight (kg),usual weight (weight 6 months earlier),BMI (kg/m2),"Subjective Global Assessment" (SGA),upper arm circumference (cm;UAC),triceps skinfold (mm;TSF), Bioelectric Impedance Analysis (BIA), laboratory values: blood count, albumine (g/dl),CrP (mg/dl).

Results: 59% of all pat. were well nourished on the basis of SGA (SGA A).Their mean BMI was 25,2 ± 3,77 kg/m2 and their mean weight loss was 1,6 kg (2,1%) compared to usual weight. 41% of pat. were malnourished, 23% moderately (SBA B) and 18% severe (SGA C). BMI of this group averaged to 23,2 ± 3,04 resp.20,3 ± 3,03 kg/m2,mean weight loss was 7,4 kg (9,8%) resp.15,3kg (20%).UAC in males and females with SGA A and SGA B was normal, wereas it was diminished in both patient groups with SGA C. THF was diminished in males with SGA C and in females with SGA B and C. Mean BIA-values for body water (l), as well as absolute lean (kg) and procentual fat mass were in normal ranges except in females with SGA C.Support by department was rendered in 29% of pat. with SGA A, 39% with SBA B and 50% with SGA C.

Conclusion: 23% of patients admitted in the context of a specific tumor treatment suffer from moderate,18% from severe malnutrition. Considering a support frequency of more than one third of moderately and only half of the severely malnourished patients a sensibilization of caregivers for the problem malnutrition is necessary in order to optimize nutritional treatment.