Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Malnutrition Risk Among Oncology Patients Using Two Validated Malnutrition Screening Tools

BackgroundThe prevalence of malnutrition risk among oncology patients across a wide range of cancer types in the United States (US) has rarely been investigated. The objective of this study was to characterize malnutrition risk by demographic and cancer characteristics, and to identify potential risk factors for malnutrition risk in diverse cancer patient populations. MethodsA cross-sectional analysis was conducted using Electronic Medical Record data from 2,894 adult patients living with cancer who underwent malnutrition screening at nine outpatient cancer clinics at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, with a catchment area that includes Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. Data were collected from January 2021 to April 2024. Malnutrition risk was evaluated using two validated malnutrition screening tools: the Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) and NUTRISCORE. T-tests and Chi square tests of independence were used to assess differences in sociodemographic, geographic, and cancer characteristics between those with and without malnutrition risk. Logistic regression was implemented to identify potential risk factors for malnutrition risk in an outpatient cancer patient population. ResultsMalnutrition risk prevalence for all cancers combined was 23% according to MST and 12% according to NUTRISCORE. Advanced cancer stage and current or previous smoking status were significant risk factors for malnutrition risk regardless of malnutrition screening tool. Head and neck, gastrointestinal, lung cancers, and malignant cancers with an unclear primary site had the highest prevalence of malnutrition risk. ConclusionsOncology outpatient clinics in the US Mountain West have a malnutrition risk prevalence of up to 23%. Patients with advanced cancer stages, smokers or former smokers, and those diagnosed with head and neck, gastrointestinal, and lung cancers may be at increased risk for malnutrition. Implementation of validated malnutrition screening tools is warranted across outpatient oncology institutions.