Background: Poor food intake is an independent risk factor for malnutrition in oncology patients, and achieving adequate nutrition is essential for optimal clinical and health outcomes. This study investigated interrelationships between nutritional intake and clinical outcomes in hospitalised adult oncology patients.
Methods: Estimated nutrition intake data were obtained from patients admitted to a 117-bed tertiary cancer centre during May-July 2022. Clinical healthcare data, including length of stay (LOS) and 30-day hospital readmissions, were obtained from patient medical records. Statistical analysis, including multivariable regression analysis, assessed whether poor nutritional intake was predictive of LOS and readmissions.
Results: No relationships between nutritional intake and clinical outcomes were evident. Patients at risk of malnutrition had lower mean daily energy (-898.9 kJ, p = 0.001) and protein (-10.34 g, p = 0.015) intakes. Increased malnutrition risk at admission prolonged LOS (1.33 days, p = 0.008). Hospital readmission rates were 20.2%, and associated with age (r = -0.133, p = 0.015), presence of metastases (r = 0.125, p = 0.02) and longer LOS (1.34 days, r = 0.145, p = 0.02). Sarcoma (43.5%), gynaecological (36.8%) and lung (40.0%) cancers had the highest readmission rates.
Conclusions: Despite research showing the benefits of nutritional intake during hospitalisation, evidence continues to emerge on the relationship between nutritional intake and LOS and readmissions that may be confounded by malnutrition risk and cancer diagnosis.
Keywords: hospital readmissions; length of stay; nutrition intake.