Malnutrition and quality of life in patients treated for oral or oropharyngeal cancer

Background. This study assessed whether malnourished patients score lower on quality of life after treatment for oral/oropharyngeal cancer. Methods. Malnutrition (weight loss ≥10% in 6 months/≥5% in 1 month) and quality of life (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 questionnaire) were assessed cross‐sectionally in patients treated for oral/oropharyngeal cancer. The interval after treatment varied from 1 day to 3 years. The relationship between malnutrition and quality of life was analyzed univariately (Mann–Whitney U test) and multivariately (linear regression analyses). Statistical significance was set at p < .05. Results. Prevalence of posttreatment malnutrition was 16% (18/115, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 9% to 23%). Analyzed univariately, malnourished patients scored significantly worse on physical functioning (p = .007) and fatigue (p = .034) than well‐nourished patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that malnutrition was significantly related to physical functioning (p = .015). Conclusions. Malnourished patients treated for oral/oropharyngeal cancer score lower on quality of life scales related to physical fitness. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011