PD871 - NUTRITION AND PSYCHOLOGY INTERTWINED IN CANCER PATIENTS

PD871

NUTRITION AND PSYCHOLOGY INTERTWINED IN CANCER PATIENTS

S. TAIMI^1,*, I. HASSNAOUI¹, O. ALAOUI HICHAMI ¹, Y. RAKII¹, K. NOUNI¹, L. AMINE¹, H. ELKACEMI¹, T. KEBDANI¹, K. HASSOUNI¹

¹radiotherapy, INO, rabat, Morocco

Rationale: Malnutrition and psychological distress are common in cancer patients and are increasingly recognized as interrelated conditions. Malnutrition may worsen psychological well-being, while psychological disorders can negatively affect dietary intake, creating a bidirectional cycle that impacts quality of life (QoL) and clinical outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted including 100 patients with histologically confirmed cancers of various localizations and stages. Data were collected from medical records, including demographic characteristics, cancer type and stage, treatment modalities, and clinical outcomes. Nutritional status was assessed using body mass index and weight loss, while psychological distress was evaluated using documented clinical assessments. Associations between nutritional status, psychological distress, QoL, and treatment outcomes were analyzed.

Results: Malnutrition and psychological distress were frequently present. Patients with impaired nutritional status, demonstrated higher rates of depression, anxiety, and reduced QoL. Conversely, patients with psychological distress exhibited decreased appetite, reduced food intake, and anorexia. This bidirectional relationship formed a deleterious cycle, with patients affected by both conditions showing poorer outcomes. Resulting in lower treatment tolerance, increased complications, more frequent treatment delays, and longer hospital stays. The combined burden was particularly pronounced in advanced-stage disease.

Conclusion: Malnutrition and psychological distress are closely interconnected in cancer patients, recognizing and managing the two-way interaction should be considered a fundamental component of patient-centered oncology care,essential to improve patient management and outcomes in oncology.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared