The impact of malnutrition on survival in patients with gynecologic cancer undergoing chemotherapy / 한국영양학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Malnutrition is a major concern in patients with gynecologic cancer receiving chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of malnutrition in patients with gynecologic cancer undergoing chemotherapy. METHODS: A prospective, observational study was conducted on a total of 99 subjects who were treated at a tertiary hospital in Korea. Data regarding demographic, clinical, nutritional, and psychological characteristics at baseline and survival were obtained. RESULTS: Performance status, nutritional status, depression, and annual income were significantly different between survivors and non-survivors. Multivariate Cox modeling after adjusting for other factors showed that a malnourished status in patients with gynecologic cancer undergoing chemotherapy was a significant and independent negative influencing factor for survival. CONCLUSION: These findings provide evidence that adequate nutritional assessment and intervention may assist in improving survival in patients with gynecologic cancer undergoing chemotherapy.