Patient-Reported Outcomes and Body Composition Changes in Patients With Colorectal Cancer During Chemotherapy: A...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Clinical Nutrition
• Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background:

• Chemotherapy significantly impacts colorectal cancer (CRC) patients' self-reported outcomes and body composition.
• Understanding these changes is crucial for optimizing patient care and treatment efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate longitudinal changes in self-reported outcomes and body composition during chemotherapy in CRC patients.
• To identify differences in body composition among distinct self-reported patient trajectory subgroups.

Main Methods:

• Prospective longitudinal study involving 201 CRC patients in Fuzhou, China.
• Data collected using patient-reported outcome questionnaires, bioelectrical impedance analysis, grip strength, functional tests, and body measurements.
• Analysis of trends across early, middle, and late chemotherapy stages and subgroup differences.

Main Results:

• Self-reported outcomes initially worsened then showed slow recovery during chemotherapy.
• Obesity indicators (weight, BMI, body fat) significantly increased (p < 0.05) during treatment.
• Skeletal muscle mass remained stable (p > 0.05), but significant differences in outcome/symptom trajectories were observed (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Dynamic assessment of CRC patients with moderate to severe self-reported outcomes is essential.
• Attention to body composition deterioration during chemotherapy is needed to optimize patient experience.
• Developing interventions to improve body composition can enhance personalized medical services.