Nutritional Assessment and Quality of Life of Patients under Chemotherapy

Abstract

Introduction: The nutritional status in cancer patients suffers changes due to the presence of tumor and antineoplastic therapies; such changes associated with side effects of a treatment significantly influence quality of life. In this context, we emphasize the importance of nutritional assessment and quality of life in these individuals. Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status and quality of life of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Method: The authors conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and observational study, whose patients underwent anthropometric nutritional and quality of life assessment through the Quality of Life Questionnaire. Results: In the studied population, we obtained 68.3% of females (p <0.05), and mean age of 52.7 years (±14.6) with higher frequency of gynecological malignancy (28.3%). We identified 50% of normal weight by body mass index (BMI); however, more than 40% of the patients were identified with the presence of malnutrition in the parameters that assess loss of muscle mass and fat, in relation to weight change in the previous six months, we obtained 26.7% for severe weight loss, 88.3% of patients had at least one side effect because of the treatment. In evaluating quality of life, low scores for general health were obtained, being lower in patients with head and neck cancer, reflecting unsatisfactory quality of life in this population. Conclusion: Although half of the patients had normal BMI levels, there was a high percentage of nutritional depletion in parameters that specifically assess compartment muscle and adipose tissue, and low scores on parameters of quality of life, whichdemonstrates the importance of multidisciplinary care in this population.