INTRODUCTION: a compromised nutritional status is one of the factors that may increase the morbidity and mortality of chemotherapy patients. The goal of this study was to evaluate acceptance of the diet by patients with haematological cancer throughout their hospital stay for chemotherapeutic treatment. METHOD: this was a cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study, carried out from February to October 2014 in adult patients of both genders diagnosed with lymphoma and leukaemia. Food intake was evaluated on a daily basis through a recording instrument designed by the author. ANOVA test for repeated measurements was employed. RESULTS: 32 patients were evaluated, with a mean age of 42 ± 11 years, the majority of whom were women (66%). We observed gastrointestinal disturbances in 72% of the patients, most commonly nausea (59%), followed by xerostomia (34%), vomiting (28%) and dysgeusia (25%). The percentage of leftover food was significant, varying from 23% to 35%. Lunch and dinner were the most frequently rejected meals. Light meals were more well-tolerated, having been accepted in 75% to 100% of the offers. CONCLUSION: The food records show that during chemotherapy cycles, patients present significant food rejection, specially with larger meals such as lunch and dinner, though light meals are better tolerated. Employing food options chosen by patients may be a strategy to improve dietary acceptance. More studies on this subject are necessary in order to improve nutritional care to this population, aiming to prevent and/or rehabilitate the nutritional status of these patients. Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.
INTRODUCTION: a compromised nutritional status is one of the factors that may increase the morbidity and mortality of chemotherapy patients. The goal of this study was to evaluate acceptance of the diet by patients with haematological cancer throughout their hospital stay for chemotherapeutic treatment. METHOD: this was a cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study, carried out from February to October 2014 in adult patients of both genders diagnosed with lymphoma and leukaemia. Food intake was evaluated on a daily basis through a recording instrument designed by the author. ANOVA test for repeated measurements was employed. RESULTS: 32 patients were evaluated, with a mean age of 42 ± 11 years, the majority of whom were women (66%). We observed gastrointestinal disturbances in 72% of the patients, most commonly nausea (59%), followed by xerostomia (34%), vomiting (28%) and dysgeusia (25%). The percentage of leftover food was significant, varying from 23% to 35%. Lunch and dinner were the most frequently rejected meals. Light meals were more well-tolerated, having been accepted in 75% to 100% of the offers. CONCLUSION: The food records show that during chemotherapy cycles, patients present significant food rejection, specially with larger meals such as lunch and dinner, though light meals are better tolerated. Employing food options chosen by patients may be a strategy to improve dietary acceptance. More studies on this subject are necessary in order to improve nutritional care to this population, aiming to prevent and/or rehabilitate the nutritional status of these patients. Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.