Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40604519›Full record

ArticleBMC geriatrics2025

The relationship between sarcopenia, nutritional status, physical function, and quality of life in elderly cancer patients: a path analysis.

Liyi Wang, Xuejun Dai, Jiao Ai, Xiaojuan Li, Aihua Deng, Xiaomei Yang, Ying Zhang, Dujuan Tian, Lang He

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC geriatrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Observational
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Liyi Wang *Cancer Prevention and Treatment Institute of Chengdu, Department of Oncology, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, 611130, China.
Xuejun Dai *Cancer Prevention and Treatment Institute of Chengdu, Department of Oncology, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, 611130, China.
Jiao Ai *Cancer Prevention and Treatment Institute of Chengdu, Department of Oncology, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, 611130, China.
Xiaojuan LiCancer Prevention and Treatment Institute of Chengdu, Department of Oncology, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, 611130, China.
Aihua DengCancer Prevention and Treatment Institute of Chengdu, Department of Oncology, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, 611130, China.
Xiaomei YangCancer Prevention and Treatment Institute of Chengdu, Department of Oncology, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, 611130, China.
Ying ZhangCancer Prevention and Treatment Institute of Chengdu, Department of Oncology, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, 611130, China.
Dujuan TianCancer Prevention and Treatment Institute of Chengdu, Department of Oncology, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, 611130, China.
Lang HeCancer Prevention and Treatment Institute of Chengdu, Department of Oncology, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu, 611130, China. helang729@163.com.

Funding

The 2022 Nestlé Health Science Oncology Nutrition Research Fund Project Number: Y-NESTLE2022ON-0486The 2023 Medical Research Project of Chengdu Municipal Health Commission Project Number: 2023457, 2023349The 2023 Teaching Reform Fund Project of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Project Number: JGJD202305
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThis study investigates the associations between sarcopenia and quality of life in elderly cancer patients, with nutritional status and physical function as potential mediators. It also explores the interactions among sarcopenia, nutritional status, and physical function.

methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 275 elderly cancer patients. Sarcopenia was assessed using the criteria of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2). Nutritional status was evaluated using the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) tool, along with serum albumin, prealbumin levels, and body mass index (BMI). Physical function was assessed using the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), gait speed, and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. All functional indicators were standardized into z-scores. Quality of life (QOL) was measured using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the relationships among sarcopenia, nutritional status, physical function, and QOL.

resultsMultivariate analysis indicated that sarcopenia, nutritional status, and physical function together explained 54% of the variance in quality of life. Path analysis showed significant associations through the following pathways: (1) Sarcopenia → Nutritional status → quality of life (22.0%); (2) Sarcopenia → Physical function → quality of life (17.07%); (3) Sarcopenia → Nutritional status → Physical function → quality of life (6.09%).

conclusionSarcopenia, nutritional status, and physical function are significantly associated with quality of life in elderly cancer patients. Physical function mediates the associations between both sarcopenia and nutritional status. Early detection and comprehensive interventions targeting sarcopenia, nutrition, and physical function are essential for improving patient outcomes. Future strategies should be individualized to address the complex needs of this population. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

NeoplasmsNutritional StatusPhysical Functional PerformanceQuality of LifeSarcopeniaAgedAged, 80 and overCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleGeriatric AssessmentHumansMaleElderly cancer patientsNutritional statusPath analysisPhysical functionQuality of lifeSarcopenia

Identifiers

PMID40604519
PMCPMC12220749

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.