Predict Factor Analysis Of Weight Loss During Radiotherapy In Esophageal Carcinoma

[Objectives]:The objective of this study was to measure weight loss during radiotherapy and to select predictive factors for early identification of malnourished patients.The Early nutritional intervention,so as to improve the tolerance of treatment,improve the prognosis of patients.[Methods]:Select 120 initial diagnosed esophageal carcinoma patients attending the Liao Cheng tumor hospital in the period from March 2010 to August 2012.By Recording weights before and after radiotherapy and collecting the baseline dates,nutrition related symptoms were obtained. We used the unified design of the questionnaire, all measuring project and questionnaires are obtained patients consent. At baseline,sociodemog-raphic and tumor related patient characteristics were recorded .and quality of life as described below.The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30(QLQ-C30) and the Quality of Life Questionnaire-Oesophageal 18(QLQ-OES18)was used to assess quality of life.Data analysis was done by SPSS 13.0 statistics software.and difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The relationship between the basic data and weight loss used t-test and Pearson’s correlation analysis.and multiple factors stepwise regression analysis was done on the basis of single factor analysis. At last.the multivariate regression model was built.[Results]:At baseline,5% weight loss was observed in 69 patients (57.5%).10% weight loss was observed in 18 patients (15%).After the treatment.weight loss was observed in98 patients (81.7%),5% weight loss was observed in 84 patients (70.0%), the median weight loss was 5.4 (range,0.8-8.7kg).The analysis showed that in the clinical factors, i.e.albumin,hemoglobin,total lymphocyte count.course of disease,Karnofs -ky performance status and number of comorbidities were positively associated with weight loss.Among the patients’general characteristics, age,education level.Body mass index and pre-treatment weight loss were associated with weight loss.In the quality-of-life dimensions, the Global QOL,Physical function,role function,social function,fatigue,pain,dysph -agia,obstruction and anorexia were significantly correlated with weight loss.In the stepwise linear regression,Global QOL,Body mass index,dyspha-gia,pain,obstruction,Karnofsky performance status,course of disease and fatigue were associated with a greater weight loss.[Conclusions]:Weight loss and malnutrition are common among esophageal carcinoma patients,They are mainly due to tumor effects and the adverse effects of the treatments.There are 8 factors can predict esophageal carcinoma patients’weight loss during radiotherapy:Global QOL,Body mass index,dysphagia,pain,obstruction,Karno-fsky performance status,course of disease and fatigue.These clinical predictors would be useful for screening esophageal carcinoma patients at high malnutrition risk and suggest to give professional nutritional counseling at the very beginning.