Nutritional state and anxious and depressive symptoms in oncological patients: comparison between a public and private hospital

Abstract

Objective: Identify the nutritional profile and anxious and depressive symptoms of cancer patients in health care networks, public and complementary, and check for possible associations with nutritional status. Method: Cross-sectional study, carried out at the university hospital and in a private hospital in Maceió-AL. Weight, height, arm circumference, and calf circumference were measured. To assess the presence of anxious and depressive symptoms, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used. Results: The mean BMI was higher in the public network group (p = 0.02) and the AC in the complementary network group (p <0.01). Nutritional status was also associated with the presence of anxious and depressive symptoms. Anxious symptoms were associated with BMI (p <0.01) and CC (p <0.01). On the other hand, depressives only with BMI (p = 0.03). Conclusion: There were differences in the nutritional status of patients in the different services, also being associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression.