Investigating the Quality of Life and Nutritional Status in Patients with Esophageal Cancer: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Nutritional issues can negatively impact cancer patients' quality of life (QoL). The current study aimed to evaluate the quality of life and nutritional status of patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on newly diagnosed esophageal cancer patients between February ۲۰۱۵ and February ۲۰۱۶. Demographic and disease-related data were collected. Quality of life was assessed using the EORTC Core Quality of Life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C۳۰). At the same time, nutritional status was evaluated through the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, dietary intake, and laboratory tests. Physical performance was assessed using handgrip strength and the Karnofsky Performance Scale. Result: A total of ۱۲۴ patients with esophageal cancer participated in the study. The mean age of participants was ۶۶.۸۴ ± ۱۱.۹۵ years. The mean physical function score was ۷۹.۶۷ ± ۲۵.۷۸, and the mean emotional function score was ۶۵.۵۰ ± ۲۶.۰۲. The average PG-SGA score was ۱۳.۱۵ ± ۵.۷۹, with ۹۴% of participants scoring >۳. More than half of the participants experienced moderate to severe weight loss. A significant difference was observed in the mean scores across various dimensions of QoL, except cognitive function, between patients with severe and non-severe malnutrition. Additionally, significant relationships were found between anorexia and financial (p = ۰.۰۱۶) and role functions (p = ۰.۰۲۸); living location and emotional function (p = ۰.۰۱۲) and social function (p = ۰.۰۰۱); dysphagia and physical function (p = ۰.۰۳۹); and global function (p < ۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: A significant relationship was found between different aspects of QoL and malnutrition in patients with esophageal cancer. Therefore, these patients require nutritional interventions to improve their nutritional status and quality of life.

کلیدواژه ها:

Quality of life ، Nutritional Status ، Esophageal Cancer