Objective To explore the effects of nutritional intervention on the quality of life and nutritional status of patients with colorectal cancer treated with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods Fifty-six patients with colorectal cancer subjected to postoperative chemotherapy were selected. They were divided into nutritional intervention group (n=20) and control group (n=36). Blood test indices, PG-SGA scores, and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey scores were compared 4 weeks after the surgery.

Results No significant difference in PG-SGA score was found between the nutritional group and the control group at admission (t=-0.347, P=0.730), but statistically significant difference was detected after 4 weeks (t=-2.708, P=0.009). At 4 weeks after the surgery, the serum levels of prealbumin, albumin, and hemoglobin were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). Other indices of quality of life assessment (P < 0.05), except for the index of emotional function (P=0.083), were significantly different between the two groups, and the scores of the nutritional intervention group were higher than those of the control group.

Conclusion Nutritional intervention can effectively improve the nutritional status and quality of life of patients with colorectal cancer treated with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.