Nutritional status and quality of life of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

The aim of the present study was to assess the nutritional status and quality of life (QOL) of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) undergoing treatment. The present cross‑sectional study included 129 patients with NPC aged ≥18 years who were treated between February and December, 2024. The nutritional status was assessed using body mass index and the Patient‑Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG‑SGA), while QOL was evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ‑C30). Multivariate analysis was conducted to determine the predictors of quality‑of‑life scales. Age (years), malnutrition (PG‑SGA scores), sex (male vs. female), age (years), feeding route (oral vs. tube) and disease stage (I‑IV) were analyzed using linear regression analysis. Based on the PG‑SGA (scores ≥9), 74.4% of the patients were at risk of developing malnutrition. The average weight loss was 7.6±8.4 kg over 6 months and 2.9±5.3 kg over 1 month. The average global QOL score was 66.1±19. Significant differences in QOL domains (physical, role, emotional, cognitive and social function) and symptoms (fatigue, anorexia, pain, nausea, vomiting and constipation) were observed across nutritional status groups based on PG‑SGA classification (P<0.05). On the whole, the [resemt study demonstrates that malnutrition is highly prevalent among patients with NPC and is significantly associated with poorer QOL. These findings highlight the importance of timely routine nutritional assessment and support as part of standard oncologic practice.