Impact of malnutrition in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is so commonly associated with cancer disease. Our work aims to highlight the impact of malnutrition on the survival and toxicity of chemotherapy in patients with advanced stages of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS: A retrospective study including 60 patients followed for NSCLC stage IIIB and IV, between January 2007 and December 2013. An evaluation of the impact of malnutrition was carried out according to different markers (weight loss, body mass index (BMI), albumin and NRI score).

RESULTS: The mean age was 59. Taking Weight loss> 10 % as a criterion of malnutrition, 22% of patients were malnourished. Based on a BMI lower than 18.5 Kg/m², 14% of patients were malnourished. Ganglionic extension, anemia and hypoalbuminaemia were associated with malnutrition (p=0.016; p=0.02 and p=0.03 respectively). The Overall survival (OS) was 2.65 months and 6.95 months (p <0.0003) in malnourished and non-malnourished groups. The definition of malnutrition can also be based on an albumin level <35 g/l. According to this criterion, 55% of the patients were undernourished. Anemia and lymphopenia were associated with malnutrition respectively (p=0.002; p=0.001). The OS was 4.45 months and 8.42 months respectively in malnourished and non-malnourished groups (p <0.0002). NRI score<100 and <97.5 (moderate to severe malnutrition) was found in respectively 100% and 74 % of patients. The OS was 4.67 months and 9.12 months respectively in moderate to severe malnutrition (NRI<97.5) and mild malnutrition groups (NRI≥97.5) (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: Malnutrition was common in patients with advanced stage of NSCLC and was associated with poor prognosis.