Cancer malnutrition point prevalence study (PPS)

The biennial cancer malnutrition point prevalence study has been conducted in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018, and is now planned to be repeated again in July 2022.

AIMS

  1. To assess the prevalence of malnutrition risk and the subsequent presence of malnutrition within those screened at risk, for admitted patients with cancer in Victoria.
  2. To assess the prevalence of malnutrition risk and the subsequent presence of malnutrition within those screened at risk, for ambulatory chemotherapy and radiotherapy patients in Victoria.
  3. To report 30-day outcomes for the study cohort (including mortality and hospital admission) and investigate associations with malnutrition.
  4. To identify areas requiring local improvement in the management and treatment of malnutrition in Victorian Cancer Services.

SUMMARY

The results from each of these studies indicates that the prevalence of malnutrition in Victorian Cancer Services is trending downwards, from 31% in 2012 to 15% in 2018, with higher prevalence rates seen in the inpatient setting compared to the ambulatory setting. Upper GI, lung, and head and neck diagnoses have been associated with the highest rates of malnutrition of all the tumour streams, with approximately two-thirds of malnourished patients being seen by a dietitian.

The 2022 cancer malnutrition PPS will involve >20 Victorian health services collecting data during July on the prevalence of malnutrition and sarcopenia risk, and subsequent presence of malnutrition within those patients with cancer screened at risk. Results of the 2022 PPS will be available by January 2023, and will help to monitor changes over time, as well as to identify gaps both locally and at a state level so that further work can be targeted to areas of most need.

See fact sheet for the 2018 Cancer malnutrition PPS results for more information.

See the full report of the 2018 Cancer malnutrition PPS.

Project timeline: Ongoing

SPONSOR

Peter Mac

FUNDING

In-kind support from Peter Mac and Western & Central Melbourne Integrated Cancer Services 

TEAM

Belinda Steer, Project Lead; [email protected]

Kate Graham, Project Dietitian; [email protected]

Please email for more information about the details of this project and/or how to get involved in future biennial PPS.