To investigate the effect of oral nutritional supplementation on the nutritional status and quality of life in patients with gastric cancer after operation.

In this prospective, single blind, randomized, controlled clinical study, 25 postoperative patients with gastric cancer received neoadjuvant chemotherapy in outpatient clinic were enrolled. All patients received dietary guidance. In the intervention group, in addition to standard diet, oral nutritional supplements with 2 090 kJ/d of Intacted Protein Enteral Nutrition Powder were added, which lasted 90 days. The changes of body mass, body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin, prealbumin, albumin, gastrointestinal function score, and life quality score 30, 60, and 90 days after discharge were recorded. Patients on standard diets were used as the control group.

In the intervention group, the body mass increased by (0.66 ±1.47)kg 60 d after discharge and (-0.90±1.82)kg on 90 d after discharge, which were [60 d: (-5.13±1.79)kg, 90 d: (-9.56±2.44)kg] in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.027, P=0.015). The BMI of intervention group increased by (0.20 ±0.55)kg/m² on 60 d and (-0.32±0.55)kg/m² on 90 d after discharge, which were (-2.06±0.67)kg/m² on 60d and (-3.21± 0.73)kg/m² on 90 d in the control group (P=0.014, P=0.003). There was no significant difference in terms of serum albumin, prealbumin and other laboratory indicators. Intestinal functional status and quality of life also showed no significant difference between these two groups.

Oral nutrition supplementation can reduce the body mass loss and improve the nutritional status in patients with gastric cancer during chemotherapy after operation.

Stomach neoplasms; Drug therapy; Body mass; Body mass index; Quality of life; Oral nutritional supplements