The Influence of Body Composition on Cancer Patients’ Quality of Life

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer has effects on body composition, often causing sarcopenia, which impacts on the functional capacity and prognosis of these patients, which may affect their quality of life. Objective: To evaluate the influence of body composition on the quality of life of patients with cancer of the gastrointestinal tract and lungs. Method: A

cross-sectional study was carried out in patients with gastrointestinal and lung cancer, in the chemotherapy service of the Hospital School of the Federal University of Pelotas. Body composition was estimated by bioelectrical impedance, performed with instrument BIA and quality of life was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 Instrument. Results: We evaluated 74 patients, the majority of whom were male (56.8 %). The most prevalent tumors were those in the gastrointestinal tract (75.4 %). Regarding body composition, it was found that 24.3% of the patients showed a deficit in muscle mass and none had excess adiposity. When analyzing the relationship between body composition and differing scales of quality of life, patients with muscle mass deficit had lower scores on the General Health scales / QOL and functional, and higher scores on the symptoms, demonstrating worse quality of life when compared to those without muscle mass deficit. Conclusion: Body composition was related significantly to the QOL of patients with cancer of the gastrointestinal tract and lungs, keeping the association between the deficit of muscle mass and worse QOL of these patients.