Malnutrition Associated with Oncohematologic Diseases in Health Institutions of Ecuador

Abstract

Introduction: Malnutrition continues to be a common finding in hospitalized cancer patients in Ecuador. The objective of this study was to determine the magnitude of malnutrition associated with onco-hematological disease (OHD) in a series of hospitals in the country. Methodology: A cross-sectional prevalence study (Ecuadorian Study of Malnutrition in Oncology) was conducted in five hospitals in the provinces of Guayas (3), Manabí (1), and Azuay (1). A total of 390 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of cancer (63,6 % women; 36,4 % men) with a mean age of 55,3 ± 16,5 years were included; 47,2% were >= 60 years old. The most common tumor locations were: kidney and urinary tract, uterus, ovary, prostate, and testicle (18,7%); breast (16,1%); leukemia and lymphoma (15,1%); and large intestine/rectum and anus (15,1%). At the time of the survey, 42,8% pf the OHD patients were receiving chemotherapy. Each participant was interviewed, the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) was applied, and anthropometric measurements were taken. All patients classified in categories B (moderate malnutrition/at risk) or C (severe malnutrition) of the SGS were considered malnourished. Results: The overall prevalence of malnutrition was 49,7% (n = 194); 14,4% (n = 56) corresponded to severe malnutrition (category C). No significant associations were observed between nutritional status and age, educational level, tumor location, or cytoreductive treatment (p > 0,05). Malnutrition was more common in men than in women. Conclusions: Approximately one in two cancer patients hospitalized in Ecuador has some degree of malnutrition, and one in seven has severe malnutrition. These findings highlight the need to establish systematic nutritional screening and dietetic support programs in the country's oncology services.