Sep 14, 2025
1:00 PM2:00 PM
Poster Session
P365
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN POLYPHARMACY AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN CANCER SURVIVORS
R. A. Freites Nava1,*, A. Lillian Chaplin2,3, J. R. Wordsworth2, M. L. Prohens Rigo2, M. Gonzalez-Freire2, M. M. Guillot Morales2,4, A. M. Gutierrez Garcia2,5, D. Romaguera Bosch2,3
1Hospital Pharmacy, Son Espases University Hospital, 2Fundació Institut d’Investigació Sanitaria Illes Balears (IdISBa), Palma de Mallorca, 3Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, 4Oncology, 5Haematology, Son Espases University Hospital, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Rationale: Polypharmacy is common among cancer survivors and may contribute to poor nutritional and functional status. We examined whether polypharmacy was associated with nutritional status, physical function and quality of life (QoL) in adult cancer survivors.
Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 105 survivors aged ≥18 years, free of active disease within 5 years of completing treatment. We assessed body composition [fat mass, skeletal muscle, ECW/TBW (Extracellular/Total Body Water), phase angle], functional status (handgrip strength, 30-Second Chair Stand Test, SARC-F), Mediterranean diet adherence (MEDAS) and QoL (QLQ-C30). Polypharmacy was defined as ≥5 medications. Multivariate regression was adjusted for age, sex and education. Selected drug groups were tested in adjusted models.
Results: Polypharmacy was present in 41% of participants. People on polypharmacy had higher ECW/TBW (p=0.002), fewer chair stand repetitions (p=0.005) and lower QoL (p<0.001). Continuous associations with medication count are shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Continuous association with number of medications
Outcome |
Effect estimate [95%CI]; p-value |
|
Body Fat Mass (%) |
β=+0.514 [0.07–0.96]; p=0.024 |
|
ECW/TBW* |
β=+0.45 [0.10–0.80]; p=0.019 |
|
Handgrip strength (kg) |
β=–0.673 [–1.13 to –0.21]; p=0.004 |
|
Chair stand (reps/30sec) |
β=–0.185 [–0.32 to –0.05]; p=0.009 |
|
QoL score |
β=–1.993 [–2.92 to –1.07]; p<0.001 |
|
Sarcopenia (SARC-F) |
OR=1.23 [1.05–1.45]; p=0.013 |
|
Fall risk |
OR=1.18 [1.00–1.38]; p=0.045 |
*ECW/TBW coefficient expressed ×1000.
Psychotropic drugs were linked to worse ECW/TBW and lower physical performance; immunomodulators to lower fat mass.
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Conclusion: Polypharmacy is independently associated with worse nutritional status, reduced muscle function and lower QoL in cancer survivors. Medication review should be part of survivorship care.
References: Vonk JM et al. Support Care Cancer.2023;31:263–278
Williams GR et al. J Geriatr Oncol.2019;10(1):62–69
Cruz-Jentoft A et al. Age Ageing.2019;48(1):16–31
Disclosure of Interest: None declared