DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/MQPN-2211
Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2094-714X
Defense Date
2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Lathika Mohanraj, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Suzanne Ameringer, Ph.D.
Third Advisor
R.K. Elswick, Jr., Ph.D.
Fourth Advisor
Jeanne Erickson, Ph.D.
Fifth Advisor
Egidio Del Fabbro, MD
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer and treatment-related side effects can negatively affect nutritional status, which can have deleterious effects on health outcomes. Research is minimal on nutritional status during intravenous chemotherapy. There are inconsistent assessments of nutritional status, making optimizing nutritional status challenging.
Objectives: Study aimed to determine feasibility and acceptability of the study protocol, describe nutritional status and health outcomes, examine relationships between nutritional status and health outcomes, and determine cofactors that may predict nutritional status in women with breast cancer at two timepoints surrounding chemotherapy.
Methods: A longitudinal, descriptive, correlational study included menopausal women with early-stage breast cancer starting chemotherapy. Anthropometrics, biomarkers, and questionnaires were collected. Descriptive statistics were used to describe nutritional status and health outcome variables, correlations were used to examine the relationships between nutritional status and health outcomes, and regression was used to determine cofactors that may predict nutritional status.
Results: Thirty participants completed the study. Anthropometrics and the Patient-generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) changed during the study indicating worsening nutritional status. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) improved, although physical function was found to be inconclusive. Improved nutritional status was associated with improved health outcomes, and income, education, comorbidities, performance status, and dietary intake may predict nutritional status.
Conclusions: Nutritional status worsened during chemotherapy. Nutritional assessments should be systematically added to practice to better evaluate nutritional status and associated cofactors. Results suggest a need for social workers, dietitians, and care coordinators earlier in care to improve nutritional status and health outcomes.
Rights
© Rachel Cloutier
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
5-6-2025