Ola Magne Vagnildhaug
The applicability of a weight loss grading system in cancer cachexia: a longitudinal analysis
Vagnildhaug, Ola Magne; Blum, David; Wilcock, Andrew; Fayers, Peter; Strasser, Florian; Baracos, Vickie E.; Hjermstad, Marianne J.; Kaasa, Stein; Laird, Barry; Solheim, Tora S.
Authors
David Blum
Andrew Wilcock
Peter Fayers
Florian Strasser
Vickie E. Baracos
Marianne J. Hjermstad
Stein Kaasa
Barry Laird
Tora S. Solheim
Abstract
Background
A body mass index (BMI) adjusted weight loss grading system (WLGS) is related to survival in patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to examine the applicability of the WLGS by confirming its prognostic validity, evaluating its relationship to cachexia domains, and exploring its ability to predict cachexia progression.
Methods
An international, prospective observational study of patients with incurable cancer was conducted. For each patient, weight loss grade was scored 0–4. Weight loss grade 0 represents a high BMI with limited weight loss, progressing through to weight loss grade 4 representing low BMI and a high degree of weight loss. Survival analyses were used to confirm prognostic validity. Analyses of variance were used to evaluate the relationship between the WLGS and cachexia domains [anorexia, dietary intake, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), and physical and emotional functioning]. Cox regression was used to evaluate if the addition of cachexia domains to the WLGS improved prognostic accuracy. Predictive ability of cachexia progression was assessed by estimating proportion of patients progressing to a more advanced weight loss grade.
Results
One thousand four hundred six patients were analysed (median age 66 years; 50% female, 63% KPS ≤ 70). The overall effect of the WLGS on survival was significant as expressed by change in −2 log likelihood (P < 0.001) and persisted after adjustment for age, sex, and cancer type and stage (P < 0.001). Median survival decreased across the weight loss grades ranging from 407 days (95% CI 312–502)—weight loss grade 0 to 119 days (95% CI 93–145)—weight loss grade 4. All cachexia domains significantly deteriorated with increasing weight loss grade, and deterioration was greatest for dietary intake, with a difference corresponding to 0.87 standard deviations between weight loss grades 0 and 4. The addition of KPS, anorexia, and physical and emotional functioning improved the prognostic accuracy of the WLGS. Likelihood of cachexia progression was greater in patients with weight loss grade 2 (39%) than that with weight loss grade 0 (19%) or 1 (22%).
Conclusions
The WLGS is related to survival, cachexia domains, and the likelihood of progression. Adding certain cachexia domains to the WLGS improves prognostic accuracy.
Citation
Vagnildhaug, O. M., Blum, D., Wilcock, A., Fayers, P., Strasser, F., Baracos, V. E., …Solheim, T. S. (2017). The applicability of a weight loss grading system in cancer cachexia: a longitudinal analysis. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, 8(5), https://doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.12220
Journal Article Type | Article |
---|---|
Acceptance Date | May 4, 2017 |
Online Publication Date | Jun 18, 2017 |
Publication Date | Oct 1, 2017 |
Deposit Date | Nov 20, 2017 |
Publicly Available Date | Nov 20, 2017 |
Journal | Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle |
Print ISSN | 2190-5991 |
Electronic ISSN | 2190-6009 |
Publisher | Wiley Open Access |
Peer Reviewed | Peer Reviewed |
Volume | 8 |
Issue | 5 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.12220 |
Keywords | Neoplasms; Cachexia; Classification; Weight loss; Survival; Nutritional status |
Public URL | https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/966306 |
Publisher URL | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jcsm.12220/abstract |
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Copyright Statement
Copyright information regarding this work can be found at the following address: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
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