WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Ali Abdulrahman Sagban* and Salam Jasim Mohammed

ABSTRACT

Background: Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death, Its incidence is on the rise due to various factors. Malnutrition is widespread among cancer patients and plays a significant role in morbidity and mortality by reducing treatment effectiveness, prolonging hospital stays, and others. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of malnutrition and the associated factors that affect the nutritional status of cancer patients at Thiqar Oncology Center/ Iraq 2024. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study targeting cancer patients who attend Thiqar Oncology Center from 1st of March to 31st August 2024. The data were collected by direct interviews with patients and by answering questions regarding sociodemographic characteristics, and clinical characteristics, and using a nutritional assessment tool called (patient-generated subjective global assessment). Data were analyzed using the statistical package for the social science program version 27. A statistically significant level was determined at P ≤0.05. Results: Of the 295 patients, sixty-eight percent (201 patients) were diagnosed with malnutrition (thirty-nine percent moderate and twenty-nine percent severe malnutrition). In comparison, thirty-two percent (94 patients) were well nourished. Malnutrition was associated with an increase in age and this association was significant. Also, the duration of the disease, advanced stage of cancer, low BMI of the patients, and special types of neoplasm were associated significantly with malnutrition (P value <0.05). While other demographic factors (residency, sex, occupation, education) and type of treatment show an insignificant association. Conclusions: Malnutrition is prevalent among cancer patients in Thiqar governorate, so special attention to malnutrition screening must be a priority for healthcare providers to improve overall survival and quality of life for patients with cancer.