AbstractContext: Malnutrition among cancer patients is a frequent problem and has been observed in 40 and 80% patients. It is a more common problem in patients with head and neck cancer owing to the nutrition impact symptoms. It incidence has been found between 3050% in various studies. Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess the nutritional status using PGSGA and its correlation with performance status in patients with Head & Neck cancer. Material & Methods: Fifty one patients of proven Head and Neck Cancer were assessed using scored Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PGSGA), SGA classes and functional status was scored using Karnofsky
Performance Scale (KPS). Results: Mean age was 50.78 years. Site wise distribution was as: Oropharynx25% (13/51), Hypopharynx8.0% (4/51), Nasopharynx2% (1/51), Larynx12% (6/51) and Oral cavity53% (27/51). Mean PGSGA Score was 7.72. The prevalence of malnutrition was eighty one percent (41/51) patients as assessed by scored PGSGA and SGA classes. Median KPS was 70. Eight one percent patients had compromised performance status as assessed by KPS. Scored PGSGA, SGA and KPS were significantly correlated (r=. 934, p<0.00001 and r=0.868, p<0.00001) respectively. Conclusion: Patients with Head & Neck Cancer have a high prevalence of malnutrition. Scored PGSGA and SGA classes can be used to assess malnutrition and are significantly correlated with performance status assessed using KPS.
Keywords: Head and Neck Cancer; Malnutrition; PGSGA; KPS.