Abstract:
Objective To investigate whether the nutrition support team (NST) benefits esophageal carcinoma (EC) patients who are concurrently undergoing chemoradiotherapy.
Methods Between June 2012 and December 2013, 40 EC patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy were divided into the NST group and routine treatment (RT) group, with 20 patients in each group. At the end of chemoradiotherapy, the nutritional status, incidence of complications, and completion rates of radiotherapy were evaluated. The length of hospital stay (LOS) and cost were also compared between the two groups.
Results The nutrition and blood parameter values of the NST group were better (P < 0.05) than those of the RT group. The incidence of complications was lower in the NST group (P < 0.05) than that in the RT group. In addition, all patients in the NST group achieved the treatment plan, whereas five of the patients in the RT group interrupted or delayed the plan (P < 0.05). The average LOS decreased by 3.8 d (P < 0.05), and the hospitalization costs were reduced to 6300 RMB person-times (P>0.05) for the patients of the NST group.
Conclusion NST could maintain the nutritional status and improve the treatment compliance and tolerance of EC patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy, thereby shortening the LOS time and reducing the costs.