Excess Weight leads to a better Health-Related Quality of Life in patients with Cancer

Abstract

Purpose Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is an important indicator for patients with cancer. Currently, it is unclear whether body mass index (BMI) impact the quality of life of patients with cancer. To investigate whether elevated BMI results in improved HRQoL and to assess factors that are associated with HRQoL in patients attending an acupuncture rehabilitation clinic. Methods This analysis using the baseline data from a longitudinal cohort study on patients with cancer undergoing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment. Patients in the TCM clinic of Sichuan Cancer Hospital were recruited between August 2021 and November 2023. During the baseline investigation, patients completed a sociodemographic survey and the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. EQ-VAS, derived from EQ-5D-5L, was chosen as primary measure to evaluate HRQoL. BMI was the primary explanatory variable in this study. Results Total 2059 patients were included in the analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that BMI was an independent protective factor for HRQoL (B = 0.42, 95%CI: 0.13 ~ 0.72, P = 0.005). The HRQoL of patients with the excess weight (BMI ≥ 24 kg/m²) was significantly better than that of those with BMI < 24 (71.00 ± 16.90 vs 68.28 ± 18.76, P = 0.004). Similar trends were noted within subgroups of patients under 60 years of age, without hypertension, or receiving treatments other than surgery alone. Conclusion Cancer patients who are overweight have a better HRQoL. Maintaining an appropriate weight during and after cancer treatment would benefit patients preserving a good quality of life. Trial registration ChiCTR2100052816.Registered on November 05, 2021.