Nutritional status, symptoms, and inflammation among older adults with different functional levels with cancer in palliative care

Objectives This study aimed to assess the nutritional status, symptoms, food intake, and inflammatory activity of older adults with cancer with the Karnofsky Performance Status scale (KPS) ≥50% receiving palliative care. Methods Cross-sectional study with outpatients divided into two groups by the Karnofsky Performance Status scale: 80 to 100% (Group 1) and 50 to 70% (Group 2). Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MAN), food intake using the 24-hour food recall, symptoms using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured. Results Age was 69.6±5.9 years. MNA was higher for Group 1 (23.4±2.7 vs 19.4±3.1, p<0.001). Group 2 ingested lower amounts of total energy (p=0.003), carbohydrates (p=0.017), protein (p=0.007), total fat (p=0.004), saturated fat (p=0.006), fiber (p=0.012), and dietary cholesterol (p=0.009). Group 2 had a greater intensity of symptoms such as pain (p=0.02), nausea (p=0.01), shortness of breath (p=0.04) and lack of sensation of wellbeing. There was no difference in IL-6 between groups (p=0.13); however, higher IL-6 was associated with a higher prevalence of dyspnea and a lower calorie, carbohydrate, and dietary cholesterol intake. Conclusions The lower the functional capacity of older cancer patients under palliative care, the worse their nutritional status, with lower intake of nutrients and increased number of symptoms. This study brings an important scientific contribution to older adults with cancer in palliative care, supporting nutritional and symptom assessment in health care.