Interplay of Nutrition, Blood Biomarkers, and Palliative Performance Scale in Oncology Patients Under Palliative Care: A Cross-Sectional Study
SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine, cilt.8, sa.1, 2026 (Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 8 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s42399-026-02595-2
- Dergi Adı: SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, EMBASE, Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Albumin, BMI, Cancer, Malnutrition, Nutritional status, Palliative care, Palliative Performance Scale
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: Nutritional deterioration and systemic inflammation may influence functional decline in oncology patients receiving palliative care. This study examined the association between nutritional status, selected blood biomarkers, and functional performance measured by the Palliative Performance Scale (PPSv2). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 48 adult cancer patients admitted to a palliative care unit were evaluated. Nutritional status was assessed using the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). Anthropometric measurements were recorded, and serum albumin (ALB), haemoglobin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were analyzed. Functional status was determined using the Turkish version of PPSv2. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify independent factors associated with PPSv2 scores. Results: According to PG-SGA classification, 47.9% of patients were moderately malnourished and 52.1% were severely malnourished. Severely malnourished patients had significantly lower body weight (p = 0.040), BMI (p = 0.028), and ALB levels (p = 0.039). No significant differences were observed in haemoglobin, CRP, or reported daily nutrient intake (p > 0.05). Lower PPSv2 scores (≤ 40) were more frequent among severely malnourished patients. In regression analysis, BMI (β, p = 0.042) and ALB (β, p = 0.017) were independently associated with PPSv2, explaining 21.1% of its variance (model p = 0.002). Conclusions: Poorer nutritional status and lower serum albumin levels were significantly associated with reduced functional performance in this palliative oncology study. Although causality cannot be inferred, systematic nutritional assessment combined with accessible laboratory markers may help guide nutritional triage, monitor clinical deterioration, and support individualized supportive care planning.