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. 2023 Jun;70(2):145-153.
doi: 10.1002/jmrs.652. Epub 2023 Jan 26.

An evaluation of radiation therapy patient body mass index trends and potential impact on departmental resource planning

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An evaluation of radiation therapy patient body mass index trends and potential impact on departmental resource planning

Branagh Laing et al. J Med Radiat Sci. 2023 Jun.

Abstract

Introduction: Radiation therapy (RT) offers a less invasive management option for bariatric cancer patients. As the proportion of Australians categorised overweight or obese approaches 70%, it is not well understood how this growth will impact RT departments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current and potential future body mass index (BMI) of RT patients at one centre, with the purpose of identifying variables that may impact resource planning decisions.

Methods: De-identified demographic data including gender, age, diagnosis code, activity code and BMI were obtained from MOSAIQ® oncology information system for 5548 courses of RT commenced between 2017 and 2020, and retrospectively analysed. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data. Simple and multiple linear regression was used to analyse for statistically significant relationships between variables.

Results: Of all patient courses, 64% were overweight or obese. Average BMI increased over time by 0.3 kg/m2 per year. Courses related to the young and elderly had a lower average BMI. Breast, brain/skull, and pelvis/prostate treatment sites had a significant association with a higher average BMI. Thorax treatment sites had a lower average BMI, but this average is increasing at the fastest rate of all treatment sites. Prone breast courses had an average BMI 5.58 kg/m2 higher than IMRT/VMAT courses.

Conclusion: Results demonstrate that patient BMI is increasing. Resources related to breast courses (breast board, prone board) and thorax courses (lung board) may experience increased strain in the future. Modifications to department workflow and scheduling are likely required. Further research into staffing implications is recommended.

Keywords: BMI; body mass index; equipment; immobilisation; obesity; radiation therapy; resourcing; safe working load.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
BMI distribution by gender with raw count data.
Figure 2
Figure 2
BMI (kg/m2) over time from January 2017 to December 2020 highlighted by gender, with regression line plotted.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(A) QFix supine breast board. (B) QFix prone breast board (with aperture set to the left breast). (C) Civco lung board. (D) Civco IMRT Extension with a floor rotation allowing non‐coplanar treatments.
Figure 4
Figure 4
(A) Potential courses requiring the IMRT extension. (B) Actual courses treated on the IMRT extension post‐implementation of the study site IMRT extension model. The red line indicates safe working load limit as validated by the study site model.

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