THE INTERRELATIONSHIP OF WEIGHT-LOSS, DIETARY-INTAKE, AND QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN AMBULATORY PATIENTS WITH CANCER OF THE LUNG, BREAST, AND OVARY

One hundred four consecutive patients with newly diagnosed small cell lung cancer, metastatic breast cancer, and ovarian cancer in good phys ical functional condition (performance rating 0-1 on Eastern Cooperati ve Oncology Group scale) were divided into a weight-losing group (grea ter-than-or-equal-to 5% unintentional weight loss within 3 mo; n = 48) and a weight-stable group (n = 56). Dietary intakes in relation to fa t-free mass were not different in the two groups. According to the Qua lity of Life index and the General Health Questionnaire, weight-losing patients had significantly lower quality of life than weight-stable p atients. In patients with weight loss, daily intakes of energy and pro tein correlated significantly with scores on the General Health Questi onnaire. This study has shown that many ambulatory cancer patients do not eat enough to maintain weight and that even a moderate weight loss is associated with psychological distress and lower quality of life.