Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Relationship between weight loss and parameters of skeletal muscle function in patients with advanced cancer and fatigue

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Supportive Care in Cancer Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to determine the influence of significant weight loss on parameters of skeletal muscle function in a population of advanced cancer patients with fatigue.

Methods

A cross-sectional and comparative study was designed between two arms of advanced cancer patients with fatigue (fatigue numeral scale (FNS) ≥4). A arm (n = 27) with ≥5 % weight loss in the last 6 months, and B arm (n = 22) without weight loss. Muscle strength was examined by hand grip technique and measurements of body composition by bioimpedance analysis (BIA), values of hemoglobin, albumin, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), c-reactive protein (CRP), urine creatinine, and FNS. These variables were compared between both groups and correlated within each group.

Results

here were no differences concerning parameters of muscle strength between both arms. A arm had values of CRP ≥10 ug/dl in 77 % compared with 38.5 % of B arm (p = 0.004). A arm showed a higher percentage of body cell mass (%BCM) than B arm (p = 0.005). The A arm also showed a lower percentage of fat mass (%FM) (p = 0.014) when compared to the B arm. FNS was higher in A arm (median 7 vs 5; p = 0.047). All the variables of muscle strength had a significant positive correlation. In A arm, BCM had a negative significant correlation with CRP (p = 0.021).

Conclusions

In this study, significant weight loss and high CRP did not have influence on parameters of skeletal muscular function. We consider that further studies should be necessary, preferably with longitudinal designs to evaluate these findings.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Clinical practice guidelines in oncology. Cancer-related fatigue (version 2. 2015) http.//www.nccn.org/professionals physician –gls/pdf/fatigue.pdf. Accessed May 21, 2015.

  2. Partridge A, Jacobsen P, Andersen B (2015) Challenges to standardizing the care for adult cancer survivors: highlighting ASCO’s fatigue and anxiety and depression guidelines. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book: 188-194.

  3. Luthy C, Cedraschi C, Pugliesi A, Di Silvestro K, Mugnier-Konrad B, Rapiti E, Allaz AF (2011) Patients ‘views about causes and preferences for the management of cancer-related fatigue—a case for non congruence with physicians? Support Care Cancer 19:363–370

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Dy SM, Lorenz KA, Naem A, Sanati H, Walling A, Asch SM (2008) Evidence-based recommendations for cancer fatigue, anorexia, depression and dyspnea. J Clin Oncol 26:3886–3895

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Kisiel-Sajewicz K, Mellar PD, Siemionov V, Sediyova-Khoshknabi D, Wyant A, Walsh D et al (2012) Lack of muscle contractile property changes at the time of perceived physical exhaustion suggests central mechanisms contributing to early motor task failure in cancer-related fatigue. J Pain Symptom Manag 44:351–361

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Campos MP, Hassan BJ, Riechelman R, Del Giglio A (2011) Cancer-related fatigue: a practical review. Ann Oncol 22:1273–1279

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Capuano G, Pavese I, Satta F, Tosti M, Palladino A, Del Grosso A, Di Palma M (2008) Correlation between anemia, unintentional weight loss and inflammatory status on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life before chemo and radiotherapy. Eur J Clin Nutr Metab 3:147–151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Saligan LN, Olson K, Filler K, Larkin D, Cramp F et al (2015) The biology of cancer-related fatigue: a review of the literature. Support Care Cancer 23:2461–2478

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Evans WJ, Morley JE, Argilés J, Bales C, Baracos V et al (2008) Cachexia: a new definition. Clin Nutr 27:793–799

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Stasi R, Abriani L, Beccaglia P, Terzoli E, Amadori S (2003) Cancer-related fatigue: evolving concepts in evaluation and treatment. Cancer 98(9):1786–1801

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Minton O, Strasser F, Radbruch L, Stone P (2012) Identification of factors associated with fatigue in advanced cancer: a subset analysis of the European palliative care research collaborative computerized symptom assessment date set. J Pain Symptom Manage 43:226–235

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Collado-Hidalgo A, Bower JF, Ganz PA, Cole SW, Irwin MR (2006) Inflammatory biomarkers for persistent fatigue in breast cancer survivors. Clin Cancer Res 12:2759–2766

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Berger AM, Bruera E, Cimpich B (2010) Recognition and treatment of the symptom of cancer-related fatigue. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book: 350-355

  14. Navigante A, Cresta MP, Casbadien O, López DN, Giglio R, Perman M (2013) Relationship between weakness and phase angle in advanced cancer patients with fatigue. Support Care in Cancer 21(6):1585–1590. doi:10.1007/s00520-012-1774-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Cerchietti L, Navigante A, Peluffo G, Diament M et al (2004) Effects of celecoxib, medroxyprogesterone, and dietary intervention on systemic syndromes in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma: a pilot study. J Pain Symptom Manage 27:85–95

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Fearon K, Strasser F, Anker SD, Bosaeus I et al (2011) Definition and classification of cancer cachexia: an international consensus. Lancet Oncol 12:489–503

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Kyle UG, Bosaeus I, De Lorenzo AD, Deurenberg P et al (2004) Bioelectrical impedance analysis-part II: utilization in clinical practice. Clin Nutr 23:1430–1453

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Beberashvili I, Azar A, Sinuani I, Kadoshi H et al (2014) Longitudinal changes in bioimpedance phase angle reflect inverse changes in serum IL-6 levels in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Nutrition 30:297–304

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Hui D, Bansal S, Morgado M, Dev R, Chisholm G, Bruera E (2014) Phase angle for prognostication of survival in patients with advanced cancer: preliminary findings. Cancer 15:2207–2214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Bautmans I, Gorus E, Njemani R, Mets T (2007) Handgrip performance in relation to self perceived-fatigue, physical functioning and circulating IL-6 elderly persons without inflammation. BMC Geriatr 7(5):1–8

    Google Scholar 

  21. Richardson A (1995) Fatigue in cancer patients: a review of the literature. Eur J Cancer Care 4:20–32

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Hauser K, Rybicki L, Walsh D (2010) What’s in a name? Word descriptors of cancer-related fatigue. Palliat Med 24(7):724–730

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Filler K, Saligan LN (2016) Defining cancer-related fatigue for biomarker discovery. Support Care Cancer 24:5–7

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Tisdale MJ (2009) Mechanisms on cancer cachexia. Physiol Rev 89:381–410

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Gandevia SC (2001) Spinal and supraspinal factors in human muscle fatigue. Physiol Rev 81(4):1725–1789

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Davis MP, Walsh D (2010) Mechanisms of fatigue. J Supp Oncol 8(4):164–174

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Jensen GL, Hsiao YP, Wheeler D (2012) Adult nutrition assessment tutorial. JPEN J Parenter Enter Nutr 36:267–274

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Scialla SJ, Cole RP, Bednarz L (2006) Redefining cancer-related asthenia-fatigue syndrome. J Palliat Med 5(4):866–872

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Fouladiun M, Korner U, Gunnebo L, Sixt-Ammilon P, Bosaeus I, Lundholm K (2007) Daily physical-rest activities in relation to nutritional state, metabolism, and quality of life in cancer patients with progressive cachexia. Clin Cancer Res 13(21):6379–6385

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Kyle UG, Bosaeus I, De Lorenzo AD, Deurenberg P et al (2004) Bioelectrical impedance analysis—part I: review of principles and methods. Clin Nutr 23:1226–1243

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Argilés JM, Busquets S, Stemmler B, López-Soriano FJ (2014) Cancer cachexia understanding the molecular basis. Nat Rev 14:754–762

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Fearon KCH (2011) Cancer cachexia and fat-muscle physiology. N Engl J Med 365(6):565–567

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Lojo, María Laura for the contribution to this paper.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Angel H. Roffo Cancer Institute, Translational Research Unit, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Av. San Martín 5481 (1417), Buenos Aires, Argentina

    P. Cresta Morgado, A. Giorlando, M. Castro & A. Navigante

Authors
  1. P. Cresta Morgado
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Giorlando
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Castro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. A. Navigante
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Navigante.

Ethics declarations

The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Angel H. Roffo Cancer Institute of the Universidad of Buenos Aires and met the recommendations stated in Helsinki Declaration. All the patients signed an informed consent.

Conflict of interest

None. We do not have any financial relationship with the Institution. We agree to allow the Journal to review this data if requested.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Morgado, P.C., Giorlando, A., Castro, M. et al. Relationship between weight loss and parameters of skeletal muscle function in patients with advanced cancer and fatigue. Support Care Cancer 24, 3961–3966 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3236-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3236-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation