Caloric and protein intake in different periods of hospitalization of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the nutritional status and caloric and protein intake during the hospitalization of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.MethodsA retrospective study was performed based on clinical and nutritional data of patients undergoing autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from March 2015 to March 2017. The mean caloric and protein intake were evaluated in three different intervals (P1: from admission to the day before transplantation, P2: from the transplantation day to the day before engraftment, P3: from the engraftment day to the day of hospital discharge). Body mass index, weight loss, gastrointestinal symptoms and use of nutritional therapy were also evaluated.ResultsThirty-five patients were included in this study (25 autologous and ten allogeneic). The majority (62.6%) were overweight at admission. The median and percentage weight loss were 3.2 kg and 4.6%, respectively. A nutritional supplement was provided to 33 patients for a median of nine days. The most prevalent gastrointestinal symptoms were nausea (91.4%), vomiting (88.6%) and diarrhea (80%). The mean caloric and protein intake and adequacy of patients were 1569.0 ± 443.3 Kcal (73.6 ± 22.1%) and 66 ± 22.8 g (61.9 ± 20%), respectively. The allogeneic group presented lower intake and caloric and protein adequacy throughout hospitalization, in particular in P2, compared to the autologous patients.ConclusionThe patients presented deterioration of nutritional status during hospitalization with the reduction in food intake being greater in patients submitted to allogeneic transplantation.

Nutritional Aspects, Pros and Cons of Nutrients-Rich Foods (Fruits and Vegetables) in Response to Stem Cells Transplantation

“…Optimal amount of dietary fiber intake is associated to reduce incidence of cardiovascular disease [3]. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and several other protective mechanisms in human body are also a function of fruits and vegetables [6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. Human stem cells can be destroyed by disease, chemotherapy (chemo), or radiation.…”

“…Nevertheless, these does not necessitate SCT to all kind of patients but can be initiated for patients whose quality of life can be improved by the procedure, or patients who have a high risk of such diseases reoccurring (relapsing) after less-intensive treatment, or who have already relapsed. Patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) normally present lowered or deteriorated nutritional status, caloric and protein intake adequacy during the hospitalization period [8]. Therefore, more calories and twice as much protein in diets are required by the recovering HSCT patients than healthy individuals of similar age and gender.…”

“…Therefore, more calories and twice as much protein in diets are required by the recovering HSCT patients than healthy individuals of similar age and gender. Moreover, gastro-intestinal sideeffects such as nausea, repeated vomiting, mouth complaints and anorexia [8][9][10] oropharyngeal mucositis, changes in taste, diarrhoea and esophagitis are common with stem cell transplantations (SCT) [11]. These may lead in low calorieprotein intake, fall in absorption of nutrients, and higher nutritional needs [11], however the intensity and period may vary per conditioning treatment [12].…”