Factors associated with malnutrition in patients with head and neck cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Comorbidities as well as T classification were the primary determinants for the nutritional status of patients with head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to elucidate the underlying conditions of malnutrition in patients with head and neck cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 726 patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer between 2004 and 2013. Associations between malnutrition and clinical parameters were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Median body mass index was 21.5 (range 11.6-38.0). According to World Health Organization criteria, the nutritional status of these patients was classified into four groups: underweight (18%), normal (63%), overweight (17%), and obese (1%). Comorbidities were detected in 40% of patients. Multivariate analysis revealed the following factors to be independent factors associated with malnutrition: advanced T stage, metachronous cancer, collagen disease, gastrointestinal disease, and pulmonary disease.