Malnutrition and quality of life in patients treated for oral or oropharyngeal cancer

Abstract

Background. This study assessed whether malnourished patients score lower on quality of life after treatment for oral/oropharyngeal cancer. Methods. Malnutrition (weight loss ≥10% in 6 months/≥5% in 1 month) and quality of life (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 questionnaire) were assessed cross‐sectionally in patients treated for oral/oropharyngeal cancer. The interval after treatment varied from 1 day to 3 years. The relationship between malnutrition and quality of life was analyzed univariately (Mann–Whitney U test) and multivariately (linear regression analyses). Statistical significance was set at p < .05. Results. Prevalence of posttreatment malnutrition was 16% (18/115, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 9% to 23%). Analyzed univariately, malnourished patients scored significantly worse on physical functioning (p = .007) and fatigue (p = .034) than well‐nourished patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that malnutrition was significantly related to physical functioning (p = .015). Conclusions. Malnourished patients treated for oral/oropharyngeal cancer score lower on quality of life scales related to physical fitness. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011