PROGNÓSTICO NUTRICIONAL DE PACIENTES SUBMETIDOS À RADIOTERAPIA EM UM HOSPITAL TERCIÁRIO DE CAMPO GRANDE -MS E SUAS IMPLICAÇÕES NO TRATAMENTO

Abstract

The cancer patients are more susceptible to undernourishment due to their extreme catabolic activity. In addition, when they undergo cancer therapy, such as radiotherapy, the side effects further increase this impact, especially when it comes to cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, clinical and nutritional progress and quality of life can be compromised, and early identification of nutritional risks is of great value. In view of this, the aim of this study was to analyze the nutritional prognosis of patients who underwent radiotherapy in a tertiary hospital, correlating outcomes and complications. A cross-sectional study was carried out by collecting secondary data from the medical records of patients who started radiotherapy between July 2022 and July 2023. The results of serum albumin and lymphocyte values of biochemical tests for application in the Prognostic Nutritional Index-(PNI) were collected at two points in time (beginning and end of treatment), as well as the result obtained in the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG- SGA) of these individuals, stipulating a Prognostic Score through the association of the two markers. The Prognostic Score “0” (zero) indicates an adequate PNI and PG-SGA, the Score “1” (one) indicates an adequate PNI and PG-SGA indicating malnutrition, the Score “2” (two) indicates an PNI of less than 45,56 with an adequate PG-SGA and finally the Prognostic Score “3” (three) indicates changes in both markers. The significance of the correlation between the scores with the worst results and critical outcomes and possible complications (change in the volume ingested, change in the consistency of the diet, alternative feeding, hospitalalization, treatment interruption, development of mucositis, dermatitis, dysphagia, odynophagia, xerostomia and diarrhea) were analyzed. It was observed that Score 3 patients had a more advanced stage of the disease, as well as a greater reduction in the diet volume, treatment interruption and dysphagia in the second assessment. The PG-SGA alone was sensitive to the development of dysphagia in the initial assessment, and later showed sensitivity to changes in the diet volume, dysphagia and xerostomia. The PNI ≤45,56 was only sensitive in the second assessment, indicating an increased risk of changes in the diet volume, use of alternative feeding, treatment interruption and dysphagia, and was the only score to show a statistical difference in terms of the outcome with the highest number of complications. It can be concluded that the use of Prognostic Scores was sensitive enough to indicate complications, especially after reassessment, emphasizing the viability of the combined use of markers. Further studies are needed to improve results and ensure efficient nutritional management.