The Impact of High Protein Nutritional Support on Clinical Outcomes and Treatment Costs of Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the impact of high protein oral nutrition support (ONS) on clinical outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The secondary aim was to compare the cost of treatment and length of stay (LoS) for CRC patients taking high protein ONS vs. patients on conventional nutritional support.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on adult patients with CRC undergoing colorectal surgery. Informed consent was obtained before the study. The study group (SG; n = 52) was instructed to take high protein ONS (600 kcal, 40 g protein per day) in addition to a normal diet for at least 10 days before and two weeks after surgery. Data from the comparative group (CG; n = 105) were collected retrospectively.

RESULTS: A relative reduction in the frequency of the following complications was observed in SG: wound dehiscence (2.2 times lower), infections (4.3 times lower), anastomosis dehiscence (2.0 times lower), and rehospitalization (1.7 times lower). The mean LoS was shorter in SG (9.4 ± 4.97 vs. CG 12 ± 6.4 days), which resulted in significantly lower treatment costs during hospitalization (SG 479 vs. CG 538 EUR; p = 0.01) and at six months after surgery (SG 4,862 vs. CG 6,456 EUR).

CONCLUSION: Pre- and postoperative high protein ONS reduces LoS, treatment costs, postoperative complications, and re-hospitalizations in CRC, regardless of initial nutritional status.Key words: high protein oral nutritional support - colorectal cancer - perioperative care.