Incidence of cachexia in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer atthe beginning of rehabilitation intervention

摘要

[Purpose] We examined the incidence of cachexia at the beginning of rehabilitation inpatients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer. [Participants and Methods] Patients withgastrointestinal cancer who were prescribed physical therapy and occupational therapy bytheir rehabilitation doctor and completed the survey item were targeted. We administeredthe cancer cachexia assessment and evaluated activities of daily living, and nutritionalstatus in all participants. [Results] There were 15 patients in the normal group, 8 in thenormal low-nutrition group, 16 in the pre-cachexia group, and 57 in the cachexia group.The cachexia group showed significantly lower nutritional status, and were less able toperform activities of daily living than the normal and pre-cachexia groups. [Conclusion]The incidence of cachexia among study participants was 17% in the pre-cachexia group and59% in the cachexia group at the beginning of rehabilitation. Patients with advancedgastrointestinal cancer may have a higher incidence of cachexia at the beginning ofrehabilitation.