2017 Volume 32 Issue 4 Pages 1324-1328
Purpose: It is believed that oral intake maintains quality of life (QOL) in terminally ill patients. However, there are few studies assessing oral intake in such patients. The aim of this study is to assess the last oral intake and the effect of nutritional intervention in terminal cancer patients.
Methods: 247 patients who died in the palliative care unit in our institution were surveyed retrospectively over the period from their last meal to death. We also examined the type of last meal or the effect of nutritional intervention.
Result: 154 patients (62.3%) ate something within 1 week before their deaths. Of patients who could eat something during the last week of life, 64.3% consumed jelly or a liquid diet for their last meals. Our nutritional intervention could increase significantly oral intake only for the patients who could keep to eat for a week after their diet counseling.
Conclusion: More than 60% of patients could eat something just before their deaths. Although the number of eligible patients was limited, nutritional intervention could increase oral diet.
