Evaluation of depression status, malnutrition risk and some biochemical parameters of patients hospitalized in the oncology service

The aim of this study is to determine the risk of malnutrition in hospitalized patients and to examine the relationship between the presence of malnutrition, depression levels, and blood parameters. Malnutrition is frequently observed in cancer patients as a result of both the side effects of treatment and complications caused by the disease. Malnutrition is associated with inadequate nutrition and depression. It is one of the most important factors indicating the prognosis of hospitalized patients. This study was conducted between February 1, 2024, and April 30, 2024, with 85 cancer-diagnosed patients hospitalized in the oncology ward of Bezmialem Vakıf University Faculty of Medicine Hospital. Participants were administered a personal information form, a 3-day food consumption record, nutritional risk screening (NRS-2002), and the Beck Depression Inventory. Some routinely monitored blood parameters were also evaluated. Of the participants, 44 were female (51.8%) and 41 were male (48.2%). The participants' average age was 62.49 (±13.73) years, ranging from 19 to 84, with 41.2% being primary school graduates. The mean BMI was 26.25 (±5.65) kg/m². The mean NRS score was determined to be 2.21 (±1.31), with scores ranging from 0 to 5. Patients with a total score of ≥3 were considered to be at nutritional risk. The average depression score was 16.74 (±9.17), ranging from a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 41 points. A Beck Depression Score of 17 and above was found to distinguish depression requiring treatment with over 90% accuracy. When examining eating habits, 62.4% of the participants consumed three main meals per day. It was found that as BMI increased, NRS decreased (p<0.01). A statistically positive and significant relationship was found between depression and NRS. There was a statistically significant relationship between the nutritional status, depression, and BMI of malnourished patients. In patients at risk of malnutrition, food intake and biochemical parameters should be closely monitored. It is recommended that larger sample group studies be conducted on this subject. Keywords: Depression, Cancer, Malnutrition