An evaluation of metabolic, dietetic, and nutritional status reveals impaired nutritional outcomes in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy compared with a matched control group

Abstract

AbstractPurposeNutritional status changes in breast cancer patients during treatment are prevalent. However, the metabolic implications of those alterations are poorly understood. We aimed to characterize body composition, lipids, glucose levels, and indices that express cardiovascular risk in breast cancer patients after completion of chemotherapy and then to compare those results with a matched control group.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed. Women who completed their chemotherapy were recruited (BC group) and compared with a group of non-malignant age- and body mass index-matched (MC group), as well as a group of healthy, non-malignant women (HC group). Body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis, handgrip strength, and blood sample were collected. Visceral adiposity, triglyceride glucose and lipid accumulation product indices were calculated. Food consumption was assessed.Results88 women were included (BC=36, MC=36, HC=16). BC patients demonstrated worse values of phase angle, nutritional risk index, extracellular body water to total body water ratio and lower handgrip strength. Additionally, those women had impairments in lipids, worst glucose levels, visceral fat dysfunction and consequently higher cardiovascular risk, presenting important unhealthy dietary patterns with higher carbohydrate and caloric intake and insufficient protein and fiber ingestion. No differences were observed between MC and HC.ConclusionBreast cancer patients present unhealthy metabolic, nutritional, and dietetic features when compared to a group of age- and BMI-matched non-malignant females. Also, breast cancer patients had higher levels of cardiovascular risk. Further investigations are required to examine the underlying mechanisms and the potential longitudinal changes during surveillance time.