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Cancer

Malnutrition Worsens Gastric Cancer Outcomes, Disparities Remain

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Research in Karachi, Pakistan has shed light on the relationship between malnutrition and gastrointestinal cancer outcomes in older adults in the United States. Study findings indicate that mortality rates from malnutrition and gastric cancer have been worsening, with significant disparities in mortality trends observed among different age groups, sexes, and regions. The study analyzed demographic and geographic mortality trends related to malnutrition and GI cancer among older adults in the United States from 1999 to 2020, obtaining mortality data from the CDC WONDER database.

Key Takeaways:

  • Malnutrition worsens gastrointestinal cancer outcomes in older adults, leading to increased mortality rates.
  • Mortality rates from malnutrition and gastric cancer declined from 1999 to 2013 but rose sharply to 2020, with a significant increase in annual percentage changes (APCs) of 11.6% and 95% confidence intervals of 10.7-12.8%.
  • Men had higher age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) than women, with a higher increase in APCs of 11.9% and 95% confidence intervals of 10.5-14.1.
  • Black or African American individuals, Alaska, and the Western United States had the highest mortality rates, with AAMRs of 5.3, 7.1, and 7.0, respectively.
  • Nonmetropolitan areas had higher AAMRs than metropolitan areas, with a significant increase in APCs of 11.8% and 95% confidence intervals of 10.2-14.0.
  • The study emphasizes the need for public health strategies to address the growing inequalities in malnutrition and gastric cancer mortality.

Statistics:

  • A total of 31,806 deaths were recorded in the study period (1999-2020).
  • AAMRs declined from 4.4 in 1999 to 2.6 in 2013 (APC: -7.7 to -1.4) but rose to 5.5 in 2020 (APC: 11.6, 95% CI: 10.7-12.8).
  • Men had higher AAMRs than women, with AAMRs of 4.3 and 2.7, respectively.
  • Among men, AAMRs dropped from 5.4 in 1999 to 3.3 in 2006 but increased to 7.2 in 2020 (APC: 11.9, 95% CI: 10.5-14.1).
  • Women's rates declined from 3.8 in 1999 to 2.0 in 2013 but rose to 4.2 in 2020 (APC: 11.8, 95% CI: 10.2-14.0).

Sources:

  • Investigating demographic and geographic disparities in malnutrition and gastrointestinal cancer mortality among older adults in the United States: A comprehensive longitudinal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention WONDER analysis 1999-2020. Nutrition in Clinical Practice, 2025.
  • NewsRx. Findings from Department of Medicine Update Understanding of Gastric Cancer (Investigating demographic and geographic disparities in malnutrition and gastrointestinal cancer mortality among older adults in the United States: A comprehensive ...). World Disease Weekly. November 4, 2025; p 12.

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