Nutritional Profile of Oncology Patients from an Outpatient Nutritional Service in Brazil
Objective To characterize the nutritional variables of patients referred to an outpatient oncology nutrition service. Methods The electronic medical records of patients diagnosed with malignant neoplasms were analyzed for several parameters: weight loss, body mass index (BMI), hand-grip strength (HGS), fat-free mass index (FFMI) and serum C-reactive protein (CRP). Statistical methods included Pearson’s correlation (significance was set at P ≤ 0.05). Results There was a high prevalence of malnutrition (44%, n = 28) and sarcopenia (61%, n = 23) and a relatively low prevalence of cachexia (13%, n = 6). Moderate positive correlations were observed between the tumor site and CRP level, correlation r = 0.328 (P = 0.026); the tumor site and BMI (r = 0, P = 0.001); FFMI and BMI (r = 0.606, P = 4.334056e-005) and CRP and weight loss (r = 0.355, P = 0.024). There were negative correlations between the tumor staging and BMI r = -0.409, P = 0.001) and weight loss and FFMI (r = -0.467, P = 3,228325e-004). Conclusion These preliminary findings may help institutions implement nutritional approaches, such as the adoption of a line-ofcare focused on nutrition in the department of oncology.