Nutritional profile of patients with cancer of the digestive tract hospitalized to a university hospital in Pará state

Abstract

Patients with cancer ot the digestive tract show changes in their nutritional status, leading them to various degrees of malnutrition. The assessment of nutritional status is essential to identify malnutrition and risks to it. Objective: To characterize the clinical, anthropometric and dietary profile of patients with digestive cancer admitted to a University Hospital in Belém, PA. Method: Descriptive, cross-sectional and prospective study, carried out at the João de Barros Barreto University Hospital, from July 2018 to March 2020. Sample composed of 59 cancer patients of both sexes, diagnosed with digestive tract neoplasia. Results: Among the variables studied, there was a prevalence of males in 50.8%. Among the women, 96.6% were classified as former smokers and 76.3%, former alcoholic. The main gastrointestinal symptoms presented were: constipation 36%, vomiting 22.3%, diarrhea and abdominal pain both 18.6%. In swallowing disorders: odynophagia and dysphagia manifested in 28.8% and 27.1%, respectively. The most common neurological symptoms were: headache 20.3% and motor weakness 17%. The most frequent type of cancer was stomach 57.6%, followed by intestine 16.9%. As for IMC, most adults were classified as eutrophic 61.8%, among the elderly 60% were malnourished, of these 56% had loss of muscle mass based on calf circumference. When analyzing eating habits, a high consumption of foods considered carcinogenic was identified. Conclusion: Malnutrition was prevalent, especially in the elderly. The presence of symptoms and food inappetence were associated with anticancer treatment. And high consumption of neoplasm-promoting foods to the detriment of protective foods.