Birhanu Abdi, Kitessa Monas, Jibro Usmael, Firdisa Dawit, Kassa Obsan, Dereje Jerman, Deresa Alemayehu, Ahmed Nesredin, Abdissa Lamesa, Nigussie Shambel, Lami Magarsa
School of Medicine, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia.
Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia.
BMC Public Health. 2025 Apr 17;25(1):1440. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-22606-6.
Cancer is a disease that occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, invade other cells, and spread to different parts of the body, leading to illness and, if left untreated, death. Patients with cancer are vulnerable to malnutrition as a result of the combined effects of the disease and its treatment. Malnutrition is a common problem among cancer patients. To design strategies and policies on health education, screening, and early intervention, a systematic review and meta-analysis are needed to highlight the burden of malnutrition among cancer patients in Ethiopia.
Electronic databases (SCOPUS, CINAHL, CAB Abstract, EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science), Google Scholar, and lists of references were used to search works of literature in Ethiopia. STATA version 17 was used for analysis, and the odds ratios of the outcome variable were determined using the random-effects model. Computing values assessed heterogeneity among the studies for I2 and P-values. Also, graphical diagnostic of small-study effect analysis was done using funnel plot to assess the publication bias.
A total of ten studies were included with a total of 2,020 participants. This study revealed a pooled prevalence of malnutrition among cancer patients was 49.2% (95% CI: 35.5%, 63%). The subgroup analysis based on publication year revealed varying prevalence rates of malnutrition among cancer patients in Ethiopia. In 2020, a high prevalence of 86.5% (95% CI: 0.825, 0.904) was observed in Addis Ababa, the capital city. For the studies conducted in 2021, the prevalence ranged from 17.1 to 58.2% (95% CI: 0.053, 0.725). In 2022, the prevalence ranged from 48.1 to 56.7% (95% CI: 0.422, 0.54). Finally, in 2023, the prevalence ranged from 19.3 to 61.4% (95% CI: 0.048, 0.692).
This meta-analysis revealed a high prevalence of malnutrition among cancer patients in Ethiopia. The findings underscore the need for systematic screening and effective nutritional interventions for individuals with cancer in Ethiopia. The study highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach involving healthcare professionals to optimize patient care and outcomes.
癌症是一种由于异常细胞不受控制地生长、侵袭其他细胞并扩散至身体不同部位而引发的疾病，若不加以治疗，会导致疾病甚至死亡。由于疾病本身及其治疗的综合影响，癌症患者易出现营养不良。营养不良是癌症患者中的常见问题。为制定关于健康教育、筛查和早期干预的策略与政策，需要进行系统综述和荟萃分析，以突出埃塞俄比亚癌症患者中营养不良的负担。
利用电子数据库（SCOPUS、CINAHL、CAB Abstract、EMBASE、PubMed和Web of Science）、谷歌学术以及参考文献列表来检索埃塞俄比亚的文献作品。使用STATA 17版本进行分析，并采用随机效应模型确定结果变量的比值比。计算I²值和P值以评估研究间的异质性。此外，使用漏斗图对小研究效应分析进行图形诊断，以评估发表偏倚。
共纳入10项研究，总计2020名参与者。本研究显示，癌症患者中营养不良的合并患病率为49.2%（95%置信区间：35.5%，63%）。基于发表年份的亚组分析显示，埃塞俄比亚癌症患者中营养不良的患病率各不相同。2020年，在首都亚的斯亚贝巴观察到高达86.5%（95%置信区间：0.825，0.904）的患病率。对于2021年进行的研究，患病率在17.1%至58.2%之间（95%置信区间：0.053，0.725）。2022年，患病率在48.1%至56.7%之间（95%置信区间：0.422，0.54）。最后，在2023年，患病率在19.3%至61.4%之间（95%置信区间：0.048，0.692）。
这项荟萃分析显示埃塞俄比亚癌症患者中营养不良的患病率很高。研究结果强调了对埃塞俄比亚癌症患者进行系统筛查和有效营养干预的必要性。该研究突出了多学科方法的重要性，即需要医疗保健专业人员参与以优化患者护理和治疗结果。
