(P22-042-25) Nutritional Factors Predicting Quality of Life Among Colorectal Cancer Survivors: A 6 Month Follow-up Study in Malaysia

Objectives: To identify the association of selected nutritional parameters with quality of life (QoL) among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.

Methods: Newly diagnosed CRC patients (n = 107) were enrolled in a prospective follow-up study in Malaysia. Patients were measured for their body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), fat mass, and fat-free mass. They were followed up for 6 months to assess their QoL in terms of daily activities, physical strength, pain, sleep, and mental health by using a standard Likert scale of EORTC QLQ C30 (version 3).

Results: After 6 months, the CRC stage (p = 0.017), body weight (p = 0.017) and HC (p = 0.04) were significantly associated with QoL. This was consistent with the physical, role, and cognitive functional scales, all worsening with older adults. Role function (p = 0.002) and emotional function (p = 0.032) weakened in patients with chronic stage of CRC. Poor body weight (p = 0.001) and low BMI (p = 0.014) were specifically associated with low role and cognitive function, while low HC (p = 0.043) was associated with low emotional function. Insomnia (p = 0.048) was significantly associated with chronic CRC stage while older adults (p = 0.006) had a significantly higher pain scale.

Conclusions: The nutritional factors identified in this study should help health professionals and loved ones develop a plan for improving QoL in CRC patients.

Funding Sources: Funded by Long-Term Research Grant Scheme (LRGS)-Malaysia Research University Network (MRUN).