Abstract
Background: Measurement of cancer-related fatigue and nutrition in the same colorectal cancer patient group using fast-track surgery has never been examined previously. The association between fatigue and nutritional status in the same patient group is thus worthwhile to be investigated.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between fatigue and nutrition risk factors in colorectal cancer patients with fast-track surgery.
Methods: This is a single-arm, observational study. Seventy eligible postoperative patients with colorectal cancer fast-track surgery were enrolled in this study. Patients completed the Cancer Fatigue Scale and the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) besides routine perioperative laboratory examination.
Results: In this study, all patients were found to have cancer-related fatigue; 20% of the patients had severe fatigue. Furthermore, 94.29% of the patients were malnourished according to the PG-SGA score; the average was 15.585.18. Fatigue severity was significantly, positively correlated with nutrition status. White blood cells and serum calcium were significantly, positively related to both Cancer Fatigue Scale and PG-SGA scores.
Conclusion: Fatigue and malnutrition commonly exist in patients with colorectal cancer experiencing fast-track surgery. Fatigue may reflect the nutritional status in this group of patients.
Implications for Practice: Clinical nursing staff need to evaluate patients' fatigue status and nutritional status to provide the suitable clinical intervention when needed.