Prediction of Malnutrition and the Relationships Among Pain, Function, Depression, and Cancer Stage in Older Women With Breast Cancer

Background: Older women diagnosed with breast cancer are at risk for malnutrition.

Objectives: This article aims to evaluate the relationships among cancer stage, pain, functional status, depression, and malnutrition, and to determine whether these symptoms predict nutritional status.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included women (N = 72) aged 70 years or older diagnosed with breast cancer at an academic medical center in the midwestern United States. The Timed Up and Go Test, Activities of Daily Living Scale, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Mini Nutritional Assessment were used. Demographic characteristics were evaluated using descriptive statistics. Bivariate and point-biserial correlations and linear regressions were used.

Findings: Participants’ Mini Nutritional Assessment scores were significantly related to cancer stage, pain, depression, and Activities of Daily Living Scale scores.