Análisis predictivo que evalúa la pérdida de masa magra en pacientes oncológicos expuestos a tratamiento de radioterapia.

Abstract

Background: The loss of lean mass in the oncological patient produces serious consequences such as: the decrease in the quality of life, in tolerance to treatments and increase in social healthcare costs. Objective: The aim of the present study was to establish and develop a predictive analytics which assesses for the lean mass loss experienced in oncologic patients under radiotherapy treatment. Methods: A prospective analysis has been undertaken, taking a sample of 231 oncologic patients which have been exposed to radiotherapy treatment. Anthropometric measurements have been recorded via TANITA TBF-300 instrument. Backward method has been used to determine the equation which develops from a complete regression model including several independent variables. Results: Only 197 patients that conformed the sample were studied. The most representative variable that contributed to the lean mass loss has been taken as a reference variable. This is the chemotherapy treatment (p = 0.02, IC = 95%), and through statistical analysis, the following equation has been obtained:% lean mass loss = -0.453 + 0.167 % initial water content – 0.065 % lean mass + 0.246 % weight loss (R2 = 0.264, F = 5.375, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The equation obtained to predict the % lean mass loss, at any point or stage during the treatment course, is effective and reliable.