Evaluation of the nutritional status in older patients with aggressive haematological malignancies using the MNA-SF

Background: Malnutrition is common both after the age of 70 and in many types of cancer, being responsible for poor quality of life, poor treatment response and a shorter survival time. Patients with haematological malignancies face specific challenges regarding nutrition because of intensive treatments they endure. Early detection of nutritional problems is important to allow interventions. Objectives: To assess the nutritional status of a group of older patients with aggressive haematological malignancies before the onset of systemic therapy using the MNA-SF. Setting: The haematology department of a university hospital. Participants: Patients >= 70 years, with newly diagnosed aggressive haematological malignancies. Methods: Observational single centre study. Patients were screened for malnutrition before and two months after start of therapy using the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF). Results: Seventy patients were included. Mean age was 77.4 +/- 4.7 years (range 70.0-91.0). At baseline, 20% (CI95 = 11-31%) we're malnourished and 61% (CI95 = 49-73%) were at risk for malnutrition. Recent weight loss and declined food intake were the most recorded MNA-SF parameters. Mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 26.3 +/- 4.1 (range 19.8-41.1) and 41% (n = 29) of patients had a BMI <25. Conclusions: Using the MNA-SF, most of the older patients with an aggressive haematological malignancy are at risk for malnutrition. Therefore, nutritional assessment with individualised dietary advice and follow-up during treatment should be recommended as an integrated part of the treatment plan. (C) 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS and European Union Geriatric Medicine Society. All rights reserved.