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Prevalence of Malnutrition, Frailty, and Cachexia Across Different Cancer Subtypes: Distribution by Age (<65 and ≥65)

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of malnutrition, frailty, and cachexia in patients with different cancer subtypes undergoing oncological treatment using various screening scales and to evaluate the distribution of these conditions by geriatric age groups. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 4595 patients with different cancer subtypes undergoing oncological treatment. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment—Short (MNA-S) form; frailty was evaluated with the Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illnesses, and Loss of weight (FRAIL) scale; and cachexia was determined based on >5% weight loss in the last 6 months or a body mass index (BMI) < 20 kg/m2, together with an additional >2% weight loss. Patients were divided into two groups by geriatric age. Results: A total of 36% of the patients included in the study were geriatric (≥65 years old). The prevalence of malnutrition, frailty, and cachexia in the general population was determined to be 40%, 45%, and 44%, respectively. All three conditions were found to be statistically significantly more prevalent in the geriatric age group (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). Conclusions: It was determined that the prevalence of malnutrition, frailty, and cachexia was high in cancer patients receiving systemic oncological treatments including chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy; these syndromes are significantly more common, particularly in the geriatric patient group.

Source: Journal of Clinical Medicine

DOI: 10.3390/jcm15093202