Abstract:
Background: Head and neck cancer patients experience cachexia that causes weight loss, poor response to treatment, and decreased overall survival rates. The study aims to determine the prevalence of cachexia in head and neck cancer patients and analyze their laboratory parameters by systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was carried out using five electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library). We included original articles published in English. Two reviewers evaluated the abstracts and titles before the full-text review. The quality of the study was appraised by the Joanna Briggs Institute’s critical appraisal tool. The prevalence data and the laboratory findings were extracted to Review Manager and conducted the meta-analysis.
Results: After the removal of duplicates, a total of 1406 articles were retrieved from electronic databases. After title, abstract, and full-text screening, 14 articles were included in the review. The pooled prevalence of cachexia in the included studies is 54.97% (48.14-61.81). Decreased plasma haemoglobin (MD = -0.60, 95% CI = -1.11, -0.08) decreased serum albumin (MD = -0.22, CI = -0.37, -0.08) and increased serum C-reactive protein (MD = 3.43, CI = -14.79, 21.65) were found in patients with cachexia of head and neck cancer.
Conclusion: Except for body weight loss, the change of the plasma haemoglobin, serum albumin could be an indicator and the treatment effect of cachexia in head and neck cancer.
Keywords: Head and neck cancer, cachexia, prevalence, haemoglobin, albumin, C-reactive protein.
Audience Take Away Notes:
- This study reports the pooled prevalence rate and laboratory data findings of cachexia in head and neck cancer. The outcome provided medical professionals with the indicators for cachexia either for prevention or treatment effect
