Comparision between calculation of need for protein per weight of cancer patients and the measurement of nitrogen balance: Prospective randomized controlled trial

Incidences of cancer are increasing all over the world this situation causes a socio-economic weight on the societies. Our study aims comparison between calculation of need for protein per weight of cancer patients and the measurement of nitrogen balance. We have worked with 103 cancer patients. The patients have been randomized to study (n=51) and control groups (n=52). The need of protein of the patients in the study group have been calculated by nitrogen balance, 1,2-1,5 g protein per kg has been given to the patients in the control group. Forms about the patient's personal information, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical parameters have been filled. All patients have been evaluated in 3 visits including the start (1st visit), second visit (4-weeks) and 3rd visit (8-weeks). Throughout the study a total of 4 people one from the study group and 3 from the control group have been passed away. And 7 patients, 4 from the study group and 3 from the control group, could not continue to work due to health problems and other reasons Negative nitrogen balance has been determined in 40 patients from the study group (%78). At the end of the study no meaningful differences between the two groups' muscle strength muscle mass, walking speed and serum albumin levels could be found. When we compare measurements of the start and the finish visit, we see that while no meaningful change has happened in their muscle mass, muscle strength and serum albumin there has been an increasement in their walking speed. An increase has been detected in the muscle strength and walking speed of the control group. The increase of the muscle strength at the end of the study could be related to the need of more protein than the daily calculated amount of protein per kilo. Protein malnutrition is very common in cancer patients and it is known that this situation effects the course of the treatment. During the treatment no difference has been found between calculating the daily protein need by nitrogen balance or calculating per kilo. It has been found that the dietary tolerance of the patients whom their diet plan has been made by nitrogen balance is higher. Keywords: cancer, protein needed, nitrogen balance, diet, muscle strength.