Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

Is malnutrition risk screening enough to identify patients in need of nutrition interventions? (#488)

Belinda Steer 1 2 , Kate Graham 1 , Nicole Kiss 3 , Jenelle Loeliger 1 2
  1. Nutrition and Speech Pathology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  2. School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  3. Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia

Aim: The presence of malnutrition and sarcopenia can lead to significant impacts on cancer patients, including reduced quality of life and increased mortality. Cancer-related malnutrition prevalence in Victorian health services is well documented, but the prevalence of sarcopenia is less well known. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and sarcopenia risk within the Victorian adult cancer population.

Methods: A multi-site point prevalence study was conducted across Victorian acute health services in July 2022. Adults with cancer receiving ambulatory treatment, and multi-day stay inpatients were included. Malnutrition was assessed using GLIM criteria and sarcopenia risk assessed using the SARC-F and calf circumference.

Results: Twenty-one health services recruited 1705 adult oncology patients (n=292 inpatients, 17%). Malnutrition risk was present in 44% (n=754) of all patients, and 32% were malnourished according to GLIM criteria. There was a significant difference between inpatient and ambulatory malnutrition prevalence (53% and 28% respectively, p<0.005). Sarcopenia risk was identified in 21% (n=352) of all patients, with inpatients having a significantly higher risk than ambulatory patients (35% and 18% respectively, p<0.0005). Four of the 5 top tumour streams most at risk of sarcopenia (lung 34%, gynaecological 31%, upper GI 30% and colorectal 24%) also had the highest malnutrition prevalence. Malnutrition and sarcopenia risk was present in 14% of all patients, and of those not at risk of malnutrition, 13% were at risk of sarcopenia. 

Conclusion: This study found that malnutrition continues to be highly prevalent in adult oncology patients, and sarcopenia risk is also a significant issue, particularly in the inpatient setting. To ensure cancer-related malnutrition and sarcopenia are identified early and subsequent multi-modal interventions can be put in place to prevent poor patient outcomes, a systematised process that incorporates both malnutrition and sarcopenia risk screening is recommended in clinical practice.