Nutritional status of colorectal cancer patients and its changes during primary treatment

Abstract

13577 Background: The nutritional status of oncological patients has become a subject of growing scientific interest because of its prognostic significance and the resulting therapeutic possibilities. Apart from the documentation of the nutritional status at the time of diagnosis the influence of the intensive primary treatment plays a major role. Methods: From October 2002 to December 2004 data on the nutritional status of 106 colorectal cancer patients were documented prospectively. The primary assessment of the nutritional status was performed with the SGA (Subjective Global Assessment). Additionally, a Body Impedance Analysis (BIA) was carried out and repeated at the day of surgery and the fivth and tenth postoperative day. Results: In the three groups according to the SGA (A: well nourished, B: moderately malnourished, C: severely malnourished) we found 27 patients to be group A, 76 patients group B and only 3 patients group C. The data of the BIA showed phase angle of 5.7°, 5.0° and 3.7°, the index of Extracellular Mass and Body Cell Mass (ECM/BCM) the figures 0.8, 1.0 and 1.6. The data remained in the same range up to the day of surgery and got worse in the early postoperative period (until 5. postoperative day). In the late postoperative (day 6 to 10) we could notice a stabilisation, the preoperative values were not achieved until demission. Conclusions: Patients with colorectal cancer are moderately malnourished in about 75%, but severely malnourished in only very few cases. The period of preoperative diagnostics does not lead to an impairment of the nutritional status. After surgery and in the early postoperative period the nutritional status is considerably affected and does not reach the primary level until demission. In this field the multimodal perioperative concepts seem to be a chance to diminish the nutritive deficit and to discharge the patient in a better condition after primary treatment. No significant financial relationships to disclose.