Insights into Food Intake, Overall Diet Quality, and Stool Short-Chain Fatty Acids during Treatment for Rectal...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Nutrition Science
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) is a standard treatment for rectal cancer.
• Dietary intake and quality can significantly impact patient outcomes and treatment tolerance.
• Understanding nutritional status during nCRT is crucial for supportive care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize food intake and overall diet quality in rectal cancer patients receiving nCRT.
• To investigate the association between the Prime Diet Quality Score (PDQS) and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels in stool post-nCRT.

Main Methods:

• Dietary intake was assessed using 24-hour recalls in 32 participants.
• Stool samples were collected for SCFA analysis in 18 participants.
• The Prime Diet Quality Score (PDQS) was used to evaluate diet quality.

Main Results:

• Low intake (<50%) of healthy food groups and high intake (>50%) of unhealthy food groups were reported before and after nCRT.
• Higher levels of propionate, a SCFA, were associated with higher PDQS values.
• Participants reported reduced dietary intake and quality during nCRT.

Conclusions:

• Rectal cancer patients exhibit poor dietary intake and quality during nCRT.
• Gut metabolites like propionate may be associated with diet quality.
• Further research is needed to explore the role of gut metabolites in mediating the effects of low diet quality during cancer treatment.