Assessment of appetite loss and related factors in older patients with cancer: validation of the cancer appetite and symptom questionnaire (CASQ) in Turkish patients.
Digdem Dogan Akagunduz, Hilal Şahin, Ferhan Elmalı, Baran Akagunduz
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to validate the Cancer Appetite and Symptom Questionnaire (CASQ) for Turkish older cancer patients and identify factors influencing appetite loss and related symptoms. The research question focused on whether the CASQ is a reliable tool for assessing appetite-related symptoms and determining associated risk factors in this population.
Methods: A total of 240 cancer patients aged ≥70 years were recruited from a Turkish oncology clinic. Demographic, cancer-related, nutritional, functional, and psychological data were collected. Appetite was assessed using the CASQ and Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ). Structural validity, reliability, and diagnostic performance were evaluated through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with appetite loss.
Results: The CASQ demonstrated high reliability and validity, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.971 and Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) of 0.907. EFA and CFA supported a single-factor structure. A CASQ cutoff score of 32 showed high diagnostic accuracy (AUC: 0.971) with 88.9% sensitivity. Appetite loss was reported in 53.7% of patients and was significantly associated with stage IV cancer (OR: 10.112, p < .001), chemotherapy (OR: 2.960, p = .016), severe pain (OR: 3.089, p = .003), malnutrition (OR: 4.459, p = .033), polypharmacy (OR: 2.213, p = .040), and poor performance status (OR: 5.245, p = .017).
Conclusions: The CASQ is a validated, reliable tool for assessing appetite-related symptoms in Turkish older cancer patients. Findings underscore the need for integrated nutritional and psychological care. Future research should develop targeted interventions to mitigate appetite loss and its impact on quality of life in this population.
目的：本研究旨在验证土耳其老年癌症患者的癌症食欲和症状问卷（CASQ），并确定影响食欲下降及相关症状的因素。研究问题集中在CASQ是否是评估该人群食欲相关症状和确定相关危险因素的可靠工具。方法：从土耳其一家肿瘤诊所招募240例年龄≥70岁的癌症患者。收集了人口统计学、癌症相关、营养、功能和心理数据。采用CASQ和简易营养食欲问卷（SNAQ）评估食欲。通过探索性因子分析（EFA）和验证性因子分析（CFA）评估结构效度、信度和诊断性能。进行逻辑回归以确定与食欲减退相关的因素。结果：CASQ具有较高的信效度，Cronbach’s alpha为0.971，KMO为0.907。EFA和CFA支持单因素结构。CASQ截止分为32分，诊断准确率较高（AUC: 0.971），敏感性为88.9%。53.7%的患者报告有食欲下降，与IV期癌症（OR: 10.112, p = 0.016）、剧烈疼痛（OR: 3.089, p = 0.003）、营养不良（OR: 4.459, p = 0.033）、多药（OR: 2.213, p = 0.040）和表现不佳（OR: 5.245, p = 0.017）显著相关。结论：CASQ是评估土耳其老年癌症患者食欲相关症状的有效、可靠的工具。研究结果强调了综合营养和心理护理的必要性。未来的研究应制定有针对性的干预措施，以减轻食欲减退及其对这一人群生活质量的影响。
期刊介绍：
Current Medical Research and Opinion is a MEDLINE-indexed, peer-reviewed, international journal for the rapid publication of original research on new and existing drugs and therapies, Phase II-IV studies, and post-marketing investigations. Equivalence, safety and efficacy/effectiveness studies are especially encouraged. Preclinical, Phase I, pharmacoeconomic, outcomes and quality of life studies may also be considered if there is clear clinical relevance
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