The patient generated-subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) and ECOG performance status are associated with mortality in patients hospitalized with breast cancer

Abstract

Aim: This study evaluated the association between risk of malnutrition and performance status, and mortality in hospitalized breast cancer patients.

Methods: Prospective cohort study with hospitalized breast cancer patients evaluated at a referral Cancer Center. The Risk of malnutrition was assessed by the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and performance status was determined using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status Scale (ECOG PS). Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors associated with death, using the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) as an effect measure.

Results: A total of 195 woman were included, with a mean age of 56.3 (±12.6) years. Patients with an overall PG-SGA score ≥18 (OR: 2.11; 95% CI: 1.03-4.62) and ECOG PS ≥ 3 (OR: 3.34; 95% CI: 1.48-7.52) had a higher occurrence of death during hospitalization, regardless of age or disease stage. The concomitant presence of these two factors improved the accuracy of the association (OR: 5.32; 95% CI: 3.11-9.76) and showed good predictive accuracy (C-statistics: 0.77).

Conclusion: Nutritional risk and poor performance status were associated with a higher occurrence of death in women with breast cancer. The use of these two indicators improves their predictive accuracy for mortality.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Hospital admission; Nutritional status; Patient generated-subjective global assessment; Performance status.