J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs.  2004 Aug;11(2):177-185.

Anorexia, Nausea and Vomiting, and Food Intake Patterns in Patients on Chemotherapy

• Yang YH

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between anorexia, nausea, and vomiting (ANV) and food intake patterns in patients with cancer on chemotherapy. METHOD: Ninety-one patients from a university hospital in Seoul were recruited and were asked to record food intake and ANV during one cycle of chemotherapy. RESULTS: Caloric and protein intake decreased significantly. The mean caloric intake was 808.75 Kcal (SD=177.54), 48.2% of the recommended intake and the mean of protein intake was 28.44 g (SD=16.44) only 34.7% of the recommended intake. The mean score for dietary diversity was 3.57 (SD=.73) indicating that the patients had taken 3 or more of the 5 food groups. ANV had a significant negative correlation with caloric and protein intake and dietary diversity (r=-.29~-.56, P<.05) and dietary diversity had a significant positive correlation with caloric and protein intake (r=.46 and .57, P=.000). CONCLUSION: Patients receiving chemotherapy had a very poor intake that could lead to malnutrition and a compromised immune system. These findings suggest the need to develop interventions that encourage for food intake.

Keyword

Chemotherapy; Food intake; Anorexia; Nausea; Vomiting

MeSH Terms

Anorexia*
Drug Therapy*
Eating*
Energy Intake
Humans
Immune System
Malnutrition
Nausea*
Seoul
Vomiting*