Abstract
Background: It has not been examined on the nutritional state of out-patients undergoing chemotherapy, though the number of patients receiving chemotherapy is increasing. Patients and Methods: We investigated the nutritional state of 312 out-patients (female:218, male:94) receiving chemotherapy using SNAQ (Short Nutritional Assessment Question) and analyzed various nutritional factors. Results: Fifty-one patients (16%), who checked positive for more than 2 questions among 3 questions, were judged to have a need for nutritional invention. Serum albumin level, hemoglobin level and prognostic nutritional index of Onodera in this group showed significantly lower level than those in the patients who checked positive less than one question (no need for nutritional intervention). The rate of patients who checked positive e on "appetite loss" were 73% among 98 patients checking positive on one question, and 100% among 31 patients checking positive on two questions. Serum albumin level and prognostic nutritional index of Onodera in male patients were lower than those in female patients. The rate of patients who were judged to have a need for nutritional invention was highest in patients with lower intestinal cancers. Conclusion: Out-patients receiving cancer chemotherapy need nutritional screening and intervention. The management on appetite loss seems to be most important.
