Project Duration
January 2007 - December 2008
Funder
National Cancer Research Institute
Project Staff
- Vanessa Halliday (PI) 1
- Julia Addington-Hall 2
- Davina Porock 1
- Andrew Wilcock 1
- Simon Langley-Evans 1
- Jane Hopkinson 2
- Antony Arthur 1
Staff Institutions
- The University of Nottingham
- University of Southampton
Aims
To gain a greater understanding of the complex factors that have an effect on, and can predict, weight loss in people with cancer.
Methods
A three phase mixed methods study.
Phases I and II involved the psychometric testing of the Cancer Appetite and Symptom Questionnaire (CASQ).
Phase III was an exploratory qualitative study, following the principles of grounded theory, to explore the causes and influencing factors on weight change.
Outcomes and Findings
Patients with lung and upper GI cancer are at high risk of malnutrition. Psychometric testing of the Cancer Appetite and Symptom Questionnaire suggests that the instrument can predict weight loss in this patient group. Due to the low Positive Predictive Value (PPV), further refinements are needed before the instrument is able to be used in clinical practice. A conceptual model which explains the complex process of influences on weight change in people with cancer can improve knowledge and understanding, ultimately informing healthcare practice.