Agreement Between PG-SGA SF and Established Measures of Symptoms and Performance Status in Older Adults with Cancer

Clinical Nutrition Open Science · Published 2026-07-24 · DOI 10.1016/j.nutos.2026.100705

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Authors (4)

Vanessa Praml, Magnus Harneshaug, Nora Brumo, Asta Bye

Abstract

Background: Nutrition impact symptoms (NIS) contribute to malnutrition and functional decline in older cancer patients. We evaluated concordance between the symptom and performance status (PS) components of the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment Short Form (PG-SGA SF) and corresponding assessments in the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and physician-rated Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status. Methods: Data from 269 patients (median age 77) were analysed. Agreement between PG-SGA SF symptoms and corresponding EORTC QLQ-C30 items, and between PG-SGA SF–reported PS and ECOG PS, was assessed using Cohen's kappa statistics. Results: Malnutrition risk was high (66% at risk; 52% severely malnourished). Agreement between PG-SGA SF and EORTC QLQ-C30 varied (κ = 0.335–0.689): substantial for nausea, moderate for appetite loss, vomiting, and pain, and fair for constipation and diarrhoea. Agreement between PG-SGA SF reported PS and ECOG PS was generally low (κ= -0.005-0.207). Conclusion: Differences likely reflect variations in scope, recall periods, and interpretation. Combining PG-SGA SF with EORTC QLQ-C30 may improve detection of clinically relevant symptoms and support early interventions to prevent malnutrition in geriatric oncology.

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Publication details

Year
2026

Citation

Praml, V., Harneshaug, M., Brumo, N., et al. (2026). Agreement Between PG-SGA SF and Established Measures of Symptoms and Performance Status in Older Adults with Cancer. Clinical Nutrition Open Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutos.2026.100705

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