Objective To dynamically detect the changes of body composition in patients with rectal cancer during radiotherapy, and to analyze the correlation between the decline of body composition and malnutrition status, so as to provide nutritional support guidance for rectal cancer patients during radiotherapy after operation.
Methods Sixty patients with rectal cancer underwent radiotherapy after operation were enrolled. Total body water, protein, minerals, body fat mass, and skeletal muscle mass were detected dynamically. The correlation of the body composition with body mass index (BMI) and nutritional risk screening (NRS) 2002 score was analyzed.
Results The total water, protein, body fat, and skeletal muscle contents of patients declined gradually during radiotherapy (P < 0.05). The skeletal muscle content was most significantly correlated with BMI and NRS2002 score (r > 0.9, P < 0.001; r=－0.769-－0.621, P < 0.05), and minerals content was least correlated with BMI and NRS2002 score (r=0.416-0.510, P < 0.05; r=－0.336-－0.198, P < 0.05).
Conclusion The nutritional status of patients with rectal cancer during radiotherapy after operation has the greatest relationship with the decrease of skeletal muscle content, and it is suggested to strengthen the nutritional support management of postoperative rectal cancer patients during radiotherapy, especially for increasing the content of skeletal muscle.
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