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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

Ola Magne Vagnildhaug

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 Mar 28, 2024
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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