Evaluation of the frequency of malnutrition and sarcopenia in oncology patients in the palliative care unit

Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency of malnutrition using Global Leadership İnitiative on Malnutrition) GLIM criteria and sarcopenia using (European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2) EWGSOP2 diagnostic criteria in individuals diagnosed with cancer who were admitted to the palliative care unit. Method: The study was performed with 65 individuals (26 female, 39 male) aged 18 years and over with active cancer diagnosis who were admitted to the palliative care service, the sociodemographic characteristics, eating habits of the individuals were questioned, anthropometric, muscle ultrasound and hand grip strength measurements were performed, nutritional status was evaluated with Nutrition Risk Screen-2002 and Subjective Global Assessment, and malnutrition status was determined according to GLIM criteria. Sarcopenia risk of individuals was assessed, probable sarcopenia and presence of sarcopenia determined EWGSOP2 diagnostic criteria as reference. Results: The mean age of male and female individuals included in the study was 71.7±11.04 and 75.5±9.30 years, respectively, and the majority of individuals had stage 4 cancer. It was determined that 95.3% of the individuals had a decrease in food intake and that their weight loss was quite high. It was determined that calf circumference and hand grip strength were below the reference range; energy, protein, dietary fiber, vitamin and mineral intakes were insufficient. According to GLIM criteria, 95.4% were found to have malnutrition (25.8% moderate and 74.2% severe). It was observed sarcopenia risk in 96.9%, probable sarcopenia in 93.2%, and sarcopenia detected by calf circumference in 75.5% of the individuals. There is a significant difference between rectus femoris subcutaneous fat tissue and muscle thickness quartiles and anthropometric measurements (p<0.05). Conclusion: Cancer patients in palliative care units are at risk for malnutrition and sarcopenia. Therefore, cancer patients should be frequently screened for malnutrition and sarcopenia and should receive nutritional and exercise support. Key words: cancer, GLIM criteria, malnutrition, muscle ultrasound, sarcopenia