Association of Weight Loss in Ambulatory Care Settings with First Diagnosis of Lung Cancer in the US
Summary:
Lung cancer is the third most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in the US. Previous studies have noted significant associations between weight loss and several cancers, but evidence for an association for lung cancer is not clear. A case-control study was conducted at the University of Washington with the aim to identify evidence for associations between weight loss and lung cancer in an ambulatory care population. The study found that patients with significant weight loss (10-50%) in the prior 6 months had more than twice the odds of a lung cancer diagnosis, suggesting a potential opportunity for early diagnosis.
Key Points:
- Investigators performed a case-control study. Cases were identified from the University of Washington of adult patients with a lung cancer diagnosis and for each case 10 controls were identified.
- A total of 625 patients aged 40 years or older with a first primary lung cancer diagnosis and 4606 matched controls (from various cancer registries) were included.
- Participants with weight loss of 10% to 50% had more than twice the odds of a lung cancer diagnosis (OR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.27-4.05).
- Patients who had weight loss both recorded in clinicians’ notes and measured had higher odds of lung cancer compared with patients who had only recorded or measured weight loss.
- Study results suggests that weight loss, identified from the routine clinic weight measures or documented by clinicians as a symptom, is associated with lung cancer, even 3 or more months prior to diagnosis.
Learn More – Primary Sources
Association of Weight Loss in Ambulatory Care Settings With First Diagnosis of Lung Cancer in the US.
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