What is the most pertinent definition of malnutrition in epithelial ovarian cancer to assess morbidity and mortality?

INTRODUCTION

Malnutrition is common in ovarian cancer and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. We aimed to define the most pertinent way to assess malnutrition in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in order to study its impact on morbidity (intra and post-operative complications) and survival (OS, overall survival and RFS, recurrence-free survival).

METHODS

We retrospectively included all patients with EOC from 2003 to 2020. Nutritional status was assessed using the weight loss at diagnosis (more or <5%), albuminemia, the Nutritional Risk Index (NRI), and the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST).

RESULTS

Six hundred and fifteen patients were included. Among them, 34% declared having lost >5% of their usual weight, 58% had an albuminemia <35 g/L, 86% presented an abnormal NRI and 29% an abnormal MUST score. After univariate analysis, weight loss>5% appeared to be significantly associated with RFS. An abnormal NRI or MUST score were significantly associated with a decrease in OS in univariate analysis. None of the markers of malnutrition studied were correlated with morbidity.

CONCLUSION

We were not able to reach a consensus concerning the most accurate definition to define malnutrition and predict morbidity and mortality in EOC. However, this modifiable prognosis factor must be systematically assessed and managed accordingly.