The aim of the study is to develop a screenings tool that will enable hospital nurses to detect and stage cancer cachectic patients. The early detection and staging of cancer cachexia will assist the oncology team in providing the cachectic cancer patient tailor-made patient care.
In this cross-sectional study, the participants will complete 4 times a set of questionnaires and measurements. The data that will be collected is: age; sex; height; weight; type of tumour; classification of malignant tumours (TNM); progression of tumour and used therapy; blood sample to analyse albumin, creatine, hemoglobin, LDH and CRP; use of parental nutrition; dietary assessment; use of nutritional supplements; Quality of Life by using the EORTC-QlQ; Subjective Global Assessment; presence of Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy; use of enteral or parenteral nutrition; body composition based on a Bio Impedance Assessment; hand grip strength and mid upper arm circumference. Based on all these data points a easy to use tool/score for a hospital setting will be created. During the first assessment the measurements will be done in the morning and the evening to test the reproducibility.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
56
University Hospital Leuven
Leuven, Vlaams Brabant, Belgium
Nutritional Assessment
Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment Instrument is a measure for the nutritional status of the participants. The final score of this instruments devides participants into three categories: well-nourished, moderately nourished or suspected malnourished.
Time frame: 4 times in 6 months
Quality of Life
The EORTC-QlQ questionnaire will be used to assess the quality of life of the participants.
Time frame: 4 times in 6 months
Anthropometric measurements
Mid-upper arm circumference will be measured to have an idea of the muscle mass. Hand Grip Strength will be measured to obtain an idea of the muscle strength. Weight will be measured during every occasion. Question will be asked about weight loss during the last 6 months. Body composition will be measured by Bio-impedance assessment to obtain an indication of the fat-free mass. Changes of all these measurements will be monitored.
Time frame: 4 times in 6 months
Markers of inflammation/metabolic disturbance
Biomarkers will be selected as part of the routine hospital assessment. These markers are C-reactief proteïne, albumin, creatinin, hemoglobin and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). These markers are a measure of the nutritional status and are seen as markers for the catabolic state of cachectic cancer patients.
Time frame: 4 times in 6 months
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