Factors Contributing to Malnutrition in Patients with Gynecologic Cancer Patients

Purpose: 40-80% of cancer patients had nutritional disorder. Patients with gynecological cancer who is recognized as a major health problem, but the incidence of malnutrition and related factors about the results are reported to be varied. Malnutrition appears differently depending on the treatment period, psychological factors such as depression affect malnutrition. It is important nursing actions that nurses understand the nutritional status of the subjects and identify the relevant factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status and to identify clinical, psychosocial, and nutritional factors contributing to malnutrition in Korean gynecologic cancer patients.

Methods: There were 129 gynecologic cancer patients in Ulsan in Korea between June and October 2013. These patients completed a PG-SGA (Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment), SNAQ (Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire), BDI (Beck Depression Inventory).

Results: 69 (53.5%) of 129 patients were reported malnutrition. Depression of malnutrition patients was higher in non-malnutrition patients (t=-3.893, p<.001). Nutritional status was correlated depression(r=.353, p<.01), appetite(r=-.530, p<.01), BMI(r=-.231, p<.01). In multiple logistic regression analysis, depression (OR=1.111, 95% CI: 1.047-1.179, p=.001), appetite (OR=0.714, 95% CI: 0.600-0.850, p<.001) were significant factors predicting malnutrition in patients with gynecologic cancer.

Conclusion: Nurses can improve nutritional status of gynecologic cancer patients through reformation of depression, appetite. This allows the subject’s quality of life may be improved.