The interrelationship of weight loss, dietary intake, and quality of life in ambulatory patients with cancer of the lung, breast, and ovary

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

One hundred four consecutive patients with newly diagnosed small cell lung cancer, metastatic breast cancer, and ovarian cancer in good physical functional condition (performance rating 0-1 on Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scale) were divided into a weight-losing group (> or = 5% unintentional weight loss within 3 mo; n = 48) and a weight-stable group (n = 56). Dietary intakes in relation to fat-free mass were not different in the two groups. According to the Quality of Life index and the General Health Questionnaire, weight-losing patients had significantly lower quality of life than weight-stable patients. In patients with weight loss, daily intakes of energy and protein correlated significantly with scores on the General Health Questionnaire. This study has shown that many ambulatory cancer patients do not eat enough to maintain weight and that even a moderate weight loss is associated with psychological distress and lower quality of life.

Original languageEnglish
JournalNutrition and Cancer
Volume19
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)159-67
Number of pages9
ISSN0163-5581
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1993

    Research areas

  • Adult, Aged, Breast Neoplasms/physiopathology, Eating, Female, Humans, Lung Neoplasms/physiopathology, Male, Middle Aged, Neoplasms/psychology, Ovarian Neoplasms/physiopathology, Quality of Life, Weight Loss

ID: 275943297