Comparative Analysis between Anthropometry and Subjective Methods in Nutritional Evaluation in Cancer: A Systematic Review

This study aims to evaluate the anthropometric indicators used in cancer patients, comparing them with one another and with the subjective methods of nutritional assessment. Methodology: A search was made in January 2018 in the databases Medline (PubMed), Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (Lilacs) and Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo), with the descriptors oncology, cancer, evaluation, anthropometry, adults, elderly and malnutrition. Results: A total of 10 articles were included in this review. All of them used body mass index (BMI) to diagnose malnutrition; however, fewer malnourished individuals were identified by this method. In addition to BMI, the most used anthropometric indicators were arm muscle circumference, tricipital skinfold and arm perimeter, used in most articles, being the most malnourished identified by it. As for subjective methods, fewer malnourished patients were tracked when compared to perimeters and folds. Conclusion: It is concluded that the arm perimeter is the most anthropometric indicator use in tracking of malnutrition in cancer patients, considering the prevalence.