title: Relationships between patient knowledge and the severity of side effects, daily nutrient intake, psychological status, and performance status in lung cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to assess the relationships of patient education with the severity of treatment-induced side effects, daily calorie and protein intake, psychological status, and performance status in patients with lung cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study patients were divided into an intervention (n = 62) and a control group (n = 110). The patients in the intervention group were provided with information about treatment, diet, and rehabilitation during chemotherapy. The patients in the control group were not specially provided with that information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed significant differences between the intervention and control groups with respect to low daily protein intake (54.84% vs. 70.00%, p = 0.046), prevalence of depression (51.61% vs. 70.91%, p = 0.011), prevalence of severe side effects of treatment (14.52% vs. 37.27%, p = 0.002), and good performance status (75.81% vs. 55.45%, p = 0.008).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that educating patients about cancer treatment and rehabilitation can lead to increased protein intake, a lower prevalence of depression, lesser side effects from cancer treatments, and improved performance status.
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, PRC;
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Tian
authors: Department of Nursing, Fujian Health College, Fuzhou, PRC;
authors: L N
authors: LN
authors: Jia
authors: Fujian Tumor Hospital, Fuzhou, PRC.
authors: Z C
authors: ZC
authors: Cheng
keywords: Lung cancer; chemotherapy; patient education; psychological interventions