Nutrients, Vol. 18, Pages 844: Physical Activity, Nutritional Status, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients: Evidence from the NUTRISCREEN Project
Nutrients doi: 10.3390/nu18050844
Authors:
Giuseppe Porciello
Anna Crispo
Francesco Pio Maria Di Carlo
Paola Rocco
Assunta Luongo
Natalia Russo
Elvira Palumbo
Sara Vitale
Sergio Coluccia
Melania Prete
Teresa Di Lauro
Ludovica Abbadessa
Annabella Di Martino
Anna Licia Mozzillo
Emanuela Racca
Arianna Piccirillo
Vittoria Di Giacomo
Maria D’Amico
Martina Fontana
Livia S. A. Augustin
Davide D’Errico
Elisabetta Coppola
Tiziana Stallone
Piera Maiolino
Ileana Parascandolo
Valeria Turrà
Sandro Pignata
Background/Objectives: Cancer and their treatments could impact physical, nutritional, and psychological health, negatively influencing overall well-being. Accordingly, Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) could be influenced by lifestyle habits, such as physical activity. This study aimed to assess physical activity levels in patients with a primary cancer diagnosis and their association with HRQoL at the first nutritional assessment. Methods: Data from the NUTRISCREEN project, part of the ONCOCAMP study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06270602), were analyzed. Nutritional and sarcopenia risk, anthropometry and body composition parameters were collected. HRQoL and physical activity (as MET levels) were assessed through validated questionnaires. Descriptive statistics summarized categorical and continuous variables, and multivariable ordinal logistic regression models were performed. Results: Nutritional and sarcopenia risk decreased progressively with higher MET levels (p = 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively). Adjusted multivariable models showed that HRQoL functional scores improved with increasing MET levels, with significant positive trends for physical (p < 0.001), role (p < 0.001), emotional (p = 0.003), and social functioning (p = 0.001), and global health status (p < 0.001). Conversely, symptom burden, including fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain, dyspnea, insomnia, appetite loss, and constipation, decreased across MET quartiles (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Overall, our findings suggest that physical activity may positively influence HRQoL among cancer patients. Early assessment helps to identify patients at risk of inactivity and support tailored rehabilitation programs to promote active lifestyles, preserve muscle mass, improve outcomes and overall health status.
Background/Objectives: Cancer and their treatments could impact physical, nutritional, and psychological health, negatively influencing overall well-being. Accordingly, Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) could be influenced by lifestyle habits, such as physical activity. This study aimed to assess physical activity levels in patients with a primary cancer diagnosis and their association with HRQoL at the first nutritional assessment. Methods: Data from the NUTRISCREEN project, part of the ONCOCAMP study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06270602), were analyzed. Nutritional and sarcopenia risk, anthropometry and body composition parameters were collected. HRQoL and physical activity (as MET levels) were assessed through validated questionnaires. Descriptive statistics summarized categorical and continuous variables, and multivariable ordinal logistic regression models were performed. Results: Nutritional and sarcopenia risk decreased progressively with higher MET levels (p = 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively). Adjusted multivariable models showed that HRQoL functional scores improved with increasing MET levels, with significant positive trends for physical (p < 0.001), role (p < 0.001), emotional (p = 0.003), and social functioning (p = 0.001), and global health status (p < 0.001). Conversely, symptom burden, including fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain, dyspnea, insomnia, appetite loss, and constipation, decreased across MET quartiles (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Overall, our findings suggest that physical activity may positively influence HRQoL among cancer patients. Early assessment helps to identify patients at risk of inactivity and support tailored rehabilitation programs to promote active lifestyles, preserve muscle mass, improve outcomes and overall health status. Read More