Correlation of nutritional status and adverse reactions to chemotherapy in elderly colorectal cancer patients during postoperative chemotherapy

HAO Sujuan; CHAI Chunyan; GU Bin

doi:10.12102/j.issn.1009-6493.2025.17.017

Abstract：Objective:To investigate the nutritional status and the occurrence of chemotherapy-related adverse reactions in elderly patients with colorectal cancer during postoperative chemotherapy,and to analyze the correlations between them.Methods:A total of 156 elderly patients with colorectal cancer who underwent postoperative chemotherapy were selected.A general information survey form,the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment(PG-SGA)scale,and a chemotherapy drug adverse reaction evaluation form were used to assess and investigate during the 5 chemotherapy cycles.Results:During the study,2 cases withdrew due to hospital transfer,3 cases due to non-compliance with the investigation,and 1 case due to treatment abandonment.Ultimately,156 patients were included in the final analysis.The comparison of PG-SGA scores before the 5 chemotherapy sessions showed statistically significant differences(P<0.01).The overall incidence of malnutrition was 80.13%-83.33%.As the course of treatment progresses,the incidence of moderate and severe malnutrition gradually increased.As the treatment course progressed,the incidence and severity of gastrointestinal reactions and myelosuppression gradually increased and worsened.Among the gastrointestinal reactions,nausea had the highest incidence,accounting for 46.79%.In terms of bone marrow suppression,the incidence of early leukocyte and neutrophil decline was relatively higher,accounting for 32.69%and 32.05%respectively,while the incidence of platelet and hemoglobin decline gradually increased in the later stages.Malnutrition before the first chemotherapy session was correlated with vomiting,diarrhea,and leukopenia during chemotherapy(P<0.05).Conclusions:Most elderly patients with colorectal cancer already have malnutrition before their first postoperative chemotherapy session.As the treatment course progresses,the incidence of moderate and severe malnutrition gradually increases,and the incidence and severity of chemotherapy-related adverse reactions also gradually increase and worsen.Malnutrition can affect the occurrence of chemotherapy-related adverse reactions.Targeted intervention plans should be developed to improve the nutritional status of patients and ensure the smooth implementation of chemotherapy.