[Effects of individualized nutritional education programs on the level of nutrient intake and nutritional status of colorectal cancer patients undergoing palliative chemotherapy].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an individualized nutritional education programs on nutrient intake and nutritional status of patients with colorectal cancer who are undergoing palliative chemotherapy.


METHODS
Forty patients with colorectal cancer (19 experimental and 21 control patients) were recruited from a chemotherapy ward at S University Hospital in Seoul, Korea. The experimental group received two individualized nutritional counseling sessions and two telephone counseling sessions over 6 weeks. The control group received nutritional counseling after completion of data collection. Nutritional education included general guidelines for food intake while receiving chemotherapy, dietary guidelines for patients with colorectal cancer, daily meal schedules to overcome cancer, and dietary guideline for each chemotherapy side effect. Data were analyzed using χ²-test and t-test with the SPSS program 17.0.


RESULTS
Two group comparison revealed that the experimental group had significantly improved calorie (p=.038) and total protein intake (p=.001), and serum albumin percentage change (p=.040). Body weight did not increase but remained the same as the baseline in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Study results indicate that this individualized nutritional education programs are effective in enhancing nutrient intake and nutritional status of patients with colorectal cancer who are undergoing palliative chemotherapy.
Center for Cancer Education and Information, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Kwi Ock
KO
Park
Smi
S
Choi-Kwon
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D003376:Counseling; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010166:Palliative Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis
D012709:Serum Albumin
Colorectal cancer; Dietary records; Nutritional assessment; Nutritional status