Changes in Nutritional Status according to Biochemical Assay, Body Weight, and Nutrient Intake Levels in Gastrectomy Patients

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in nutritional status of gastrectomy patients. The anthropometric and biochemical data were measured at pre-operation, at discharge, 1 month after discharge, and 3 months after discharge. Nutrient intake levels, nutrients adequacy ratio (NAR), mean adequacy ratio (MAR), and the proportion of patients with intake levels inferior to those of dietary reference intakes (DRIs) were analyzed at discharge, 1 month after discharge, and 3 months after discharge. Finally, the data on 23 patients (15 male and 8 female) were collected and used for statistical analysis. Fifteen patients underwent subtotal gastrectomy, and 8 patients underwent total gastrectomy. Compared to pre-operation, body weight and body mass index of subjects significantly decreased at discharge, 1 month after discharge, and 3 months after discharge (P<0.001). Serum albumin (P<0.001), total lympocyte count (P<0.001), total cholesterol (P<0.001), hemoglobin (P<0.001), hematocrit (P<0.001), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (P<0.05) were significantly different between pre-operation, at discharge, 1 month after discharge, and 3 months after discharge. The proportions of patients with lower nutrient intake levels than DRIs were substantial. MAR at discharge, 1 month after discharge, and 3 months after discharge were 0.70, 0.80 and 0.91, respectively. Especially, the NARs of folate, niacin, vitamin B2, vitamin C, and zinc were all low. Considering the various nutritional problems of gastrectomy patients, systematic medical nutrition therapy is needed after gastrectomy.