Cancer cachexia ̶ prevalence and patient-perceived need of health care attention

Background There is considerable variance in prevalence estimates of cancer cachexia due to the heterogeneity of cachexia definitions. Lack of knowledge about cachexia among health care professionals has led to under-recognition and avoidance of the topic when faced with the patient. The objectives of this study are to provide an accurate estimate of cachexia prevalence in a general cancer population, to assess patient-perceived needs of attention to weight loss and nutrition, and to explore which factors signal such a need. Methods A cross-sectional study was undertaken in adult in- and outpatients with cancer at three different hospitals in Central-Norway. Trained personnel reported on disease specific items, while patients self-reported demographic data, weight, symptom intensity scores and need of health care personnel’s attention to weight loss and nutrition. Cachexia was defined as a) weight loss >5% or b) weight loss >2% and BMI