Acceso usuarios
Brasil
Objective: The study aim was to identify the nutritional status and factors associated with possible nutritional changes of cancer patients undergoing antineoplastic treatment. Methodology: A cross-sectional study with cancer patients on chemotherapy treatment, of both sexes, aged 18 years or older, admitted between November 2016 and June 2017 at a university hospital in Rio Grande do Sul. Data were collected from nutritional evaluation using the Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), biochemical exams and patient records. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, and correlation and association tests were conducted, depending on the nature of each variable, considering a 95% confidence interval, and a P-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Sixty patients were evaluated, most of them were female (58.3%), adult individuals (51.7%), suffering from colon and rectal cancer (45%) and were enrolled in the first cycles of chemotherapy treatment (68%) with associated comorbidities (77%). The PG-SGA showed a prevalence of malnutrition (77%) in the sample, severe weight loss (40%), and a reduction in food consumption (41.7%) with gastrointestinal symptoms (75%), and changes on functional capacity (78%), concluding the need for critical nutritional intervention (70%). Biochemical parameters showed some reduction of serum albumin (56%) and total lymphocyte count (76%). Conclusion: Based on the results, it is important to well evaluate nutritional status and carry out a good nutritional intervention at the beginning and in the course of the treatment, allowing the recovery and maintenance of patient’s nutritional status, contributing positively to the clinical outcome of these patients.
