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

항암화학요법환자의 식욕부진, 오심 및 구토와 음식섭취 양상과의 관계

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 ($r=-.29{\sim}-.56$, 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.