Malnutrition and abnormal hydration are important problems seen in cancer. It can be difficult for a healthcare professional to measure how well-nourished or hydrated a person is. Current ways of assessing nutrition and hydration are not very exact and the results can depend on interpretation by the healthcare professional It would therefore be beneficial to have a way of objectively measuring nutritional status and hydration as this could allow for more accurate assessment and better management of a person’s nutrition and hydration. A technology called bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) has been previously used to measure body composition e.g. how much muscle someone has. Recently, a variant of this technique called bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA), has been found to have the potential to measure body composition and hydration. BIA/BIVA has many advantages as it quick, low-cost and is a bedside test, like an electrocardiogram (ECG).
This project will see if it is possible to use BIVA to assess body composition and hydration in people with cancer who are inpatients in hospital. Cancer patients admitted to St. James’ Hospital will be asked to take part in the study. Data from BIVA will be compared to the clinical and lab tests currently used to assess body composition and hydration. This study will show if it is possible to use BIVA in clinical practice and if cancer patients find it acceptable. This could lead to studies in the future to decide exactly how and when it might be of use.
