Diagnostic criteria for the classification of cancer-associated weight loss

Abstract

Purpose: Existing definitions of clinically important weight loss (WL) in patients with cancer are unclear and heterogeneous and do not consider current trends toward obesity. Methods: Canadian and European patients with cancer (n = 8, 160) formed a population-based data set. Body mass index (BMI) and percent WL (%WL) were recorded, and patients were observed prospectively until death. Data were entered into a multivariable analysis controlling for age, sex, cancer site, stage, and performance status. Relationships for BMI and %WL to overall survival were examined to develop a grading system. Results: Mean overall %WL was -9.7% ± 8.4% and BMI was 24.4 ± 5.1 kg/m 2, and both %WL and BMI independently predicted survival (P < 20.0, 20.0 to 21.9, 22.0 to 24.9, 25.0 to 27.9, and ≥ 28.0 kg/m 2; P 2 (grade 0) had the longest survival (20.9 months; 95% CI, 17.9 to 23.9 months), and %WL values associated with lowered categories of BMI were related to shorter survival (P