Comparison of the nutritional parameters of patients newly diagnosed in hematology and oncology clinics before and after chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical treatment

Introduction and Purpose: Nutritional assessment has a fundamental role in cancer patients and assessment of body composition, especially muscle mass loss, is an integral part of this. We aimed to evaluate the nutritional status change of newly diagnosed patients in the hematology and oncology clinics prospectively with different screening tools and measurements, and to examine both the changes in each tool and measurement and their relationships with each other. Material and method: In the study we conducted at İnönü University Internal Medicine Hematology and Oncology clinics, we gathered information about the nutritional status of newly diagnosed patients with MNA, SGA, CONUT, NRS-2002 tests before and after treatment. We selected our patients among newly diagnosed hematology and oncology patients over the age of 18. We included a total of 76 patients in our study. We added the anthropometric measurements (upper middle arm and calf circumference, hand grip strength, body mass index), complete blood count, electrolytes, liver and kidney function tests, and cholesterol level of the patients at the time of diagnosis and in the third month of the treatment process after diagnosis. Results: The mean age of the patients was 56.0±15.3. 51.3% of the patients had a hematological diagnosis and 48.7% had an oncological diagnosis of solid malignancy. After the treatment, the patients' MNA, SGA, CONUT, NRS-2002 scores, anthropometric measurements (hand grip strength, upper middle arm and calf circumference, weight, BMI), laboratory measurements (total lymphocyte count, hemoglobin, thrombocyte, magnesium and calcium) significant change was observed. In the analysis made with reference to the MNA test, the sensitivity of SGA in showing malnutrition was found to be higher than the other two tests. Conclusion: According to the MNA test, 43.4% of the patients had malnutrition at the time of diagnosis and 70.6% after treatment. Among the tests; there was a statistically significant correlation in showing malnutrition, changes in laboratory and anthropometry measurements. Since the malnutrition status of newly diagnosed hematology and oncology patients may change after treatment, it provides useful information especially for patients to be evaluated regularly with MNA, NRS-2002 and SGA with laboratory examinations and anthropometric measurements. Key Words: Nutrition, Chemotherapy, MNA, SGA, CONUT, NRS-2002, Hematology, Oncology