Physical and Mental Health Factors Associated with Poor Nutrition in Elderly Cancer Survivors: Insights from a Nationwide Survey

Abstract

Elderly cancer survivors (patients with any stage of cancer or a history of cancer) are precious members of our society and they can be easily found in various types of surveys. As is well known, good nutrition is important in elderly people suffering from cancer. Proper nutritional evaluation and intervention not only improves their quality of life but also helps them to receive adequate treatment, thereby prolonging individual survival and reducing social healthcare costs. In this study, we retrieved elderly cancer survivors from national survey data and assessed their nutritional status as good or bad. Then, we described the individual, physical, and mental health factors between people with good and bad nutrition. Physical and psychological variables associated with poor nutritional status were evaluated through regression analysis. We investigated data from the 2017 National Survey of Older Persons, and cancer patients aged 65 years or over were eligible. A total of 360 adults were enrolled and more than half (57.2%, n = 206) were in a poor nutritional status. We applied individual variable-adjusted statistical models and discovered that limited instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.08-4.28) and poor subjective health status (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.00-3.02) were significantly associated with poor nutrition on logistic regression. Our research findings suggested that IADL and self-rated health status needed to be addressed in old cancer survivors at nutritional risk. The early recognition and management of nutrition in these populations might help them to live longer and have a better quality of life, eventually reducing socioeconomic burdens.