This study aimed to investigate the nutritional status of liver transplantation (LT) recipients and explore certain factors that influence nutritional status, including dietary patterns and physical activities.

This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. The subjects included 211 LT recipients at a medical center outpatient clinic located in Seoul, Korea. The nutritional status, dietary patterns, and physical activities of each subject were measured using the body mass index (BMI), Mini Dietary Assessment (MDA), and Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data.

The percentages of living and deceased donor LTs were 81.0% and 19.0%, respectively. The mean BMIs pre- and post-LT were 23.88 and 23.16 kg/m², respectively, and the average MDA score was 36.55. More than 60.0% of the subjects had a moderate or high level of physical activity. In multivariate analysis, a higher BMI before LT (β=.72, p<.001), a lower Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (β=-.18, p<.001), and being male (β=-.10, p=.024) contributed to better nutritional status post-LT. Patients within six months of LT were less engaged in muscle exercises than those post six months of LT (p=.020).

LT recipients in Korea have good nutritional status and a good level of physical activity. To improve recipients’ post-LT nutritional status, the pre-LT nutritional status should be considered, particularly in those with a higher MELD score. In addition, physical activity including muscle-strengthening exercises should be encouraged from an earlier stage.

The purpose of this study was to develop a tool for nutritional assessment, so that home care nurses can make early assessment of patients' nutritional status.

The study was done in two partsfirst a tool was developed to assess nutrition, and second the content validity and clinical validity of the categories and indices were verified.

The results of this study are summarized in two ways. First,the nutritional assessment tool was classified into 3 areas, physical measurement, nutritional survey and clinical survey, and into 11 categories with 22 indices. Second, when 5 of the 11 categories were positive, nutritional status was considered to be poor.

By developing a clinically useful nutritional assessment tool for patients receiving home care, which was developed in this study, the quality of life for these patients will improve and contribution to the development of a more effective clinical home nursing practice will occur.

The purpose of this study was to compare the degree of cognitive level, nutritional status and depression in elderly according to living situations.

The subjects consisted of 173 elderly classifying three groups(living alone, living with spouse, living with children). Data was collected from March to June, 2003 by a structured questionnaire that included general characteristics, MMSE-K, nutritional status and depression scale. The collected data was analyzed by the SPSS program including descriptive statistics, χ²-test, ANCOVA, Scheffe test and Pearson Correlation Coefficient.

In MMSE-K, the living alone group showed suspicious dementia while the other groups were normal. The living alone group showed a high nutritional risk and all three groups showed depression. In MMSE-K, the nutritional status and depression were statistically significant by the living situation. In each group except living with spouse, MMSE-K indicated a significantly negative correlation to depression and nutritional status, while nutritional status showed a significantly positive correlation to depression.

It is necessary to develop supportive programs for decreasing the risk of bad health in the elderly and an individual approach according to their living situation. Especially, more concern and intervention is necessary for the solitary elderly.

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between fatigue and nutritional status in patients undergoing radiotherapy.

A correlational and crossectional study design was used.

One-hundred-fifty-one subjects with cancer receiving radiotherapy were recruited from a university hospital in Chonan, Korea. Fatigue was measured using Piper's Fatigue Scale (PFS). The parameters for nutritional status included body weight, body mass index, hemoglobin, and lymphocyte counts. Cancer stage was controlled in analyzing the differences in fatigue, body weight and body mass index.

The patients who experienced most fatigue were in their fifties, employed, had head and neck cancer, received radiotherapy on the head and neck, and had concomitant chemotherapy. Disease-related characteristics such as cancer type, and treatment type were frequently related to poorer nutritional status. Patients who showed poorer nutritional status, such as those with lower body weight, lower body mass index and lower hemoglobin levels were more fatigued than those who did not exhibit such characteristics. Lymphocyte counts did not correlate with fatigue. Conclusion: The findings can be used by nurses who are taking care of patients undergoing radiotherapy. Considering the relationship between fatigue and nutritional status, nurses can identify the risk group most vulnerable to fatigue and malnourishment in order to provide appropriate interventions for them.

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) can cause severe malnutrition. However, relationships between CINV levels, nonpharmacological coping methods, and nutritional status of female cancer patients have rarely been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze their relationships in gynecologic cancer patients.

Participants receiving a highly and moderately emetogenic chemotherapy were recruited. The level of CINV was assessed using a numeric rating scale. Coping methods were determined using multiple-choice self-report questionnaires and categorized into seven types for statistical analysis. Nutritional status was evaluated using biochemical and anthropometric parameters.

Among all the 485 patients, 200 eligible inpatients were included. Despite the administration of prophylactic antiemetics, 157 patients (78.5%) still experienced CINV, and several used nonmedically recommended coping methods, such as just enduring the symptom or rejecting food intake. A total of 181 patients (90.5%) had nutritional disorders. Although the level of CINV was indirectly related to the occurrence of nutritional disorders, patients who rejected food (b=1.57, p=.023) and did not use physical measures (b= -1.23, p=.041) as coping methods were under the high risk of nutritional disorders.

Korean gynecologic cancer patients had high levels of CINV and were at high risk of nutritional disorders, which may be related to the use of nonscientific coping methods, possibly due to cultural backgrounds and lack of proper nutritional program. Therefore, developing a culturally appropriate educational program for the cancer patients with CINV is urgently needed.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of lifestyle intervention on the development of fatigue, nutritional status and quality of life of patients with gynecologic cancer.

A nonequivalent control group quasi-experimental design was used. Participants were 49 patients with gynecologic cancer. They were assigned to the experiment group (n=24) or the control group (n=25). The lifestyle intervention for this study consisted of physical activity, nutritional education, telephone call counseling, health counseling, monitoring for lifestyle, and affective support based on Cox's Interaction Model of Client Health Behavior and was implemented for six weeks.

Significant group differences were found for fatigue (p=.037), nutritional status (p=.034) and social/family well-being (p=.035) in these patients with gynecologic cancer.

Results indicate that this lifestyle intervention is effective in lessening fatigue, and improving nutritional status and social/family well-being. Therefore, nurses in hospitals should develop strategies to expand and provide lifestyle interventions for patients with cancer.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of low-income urban elders by diversified ways, and to analyze the risk factors for malnutrition.

The participants in this study were 183 low-income elders registered at a visiting healthcare facility in a public health center. Data were collected using anthropometric measurements, and a questionnaire survey. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, χ²-test, t-test, Fisher's exact test, multiple logistic regression analysis were performed using SPSS 20.0.

Regarding the nutritional status of low-income elders as measured by the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), 10.4% of the elders were classified as malnourished; 57.4% as at high risk for malnutrition; and 32.2% as having normal nutrition levels. The main factors affecting malnutrition for low-income elders were loss of appetite (OR=3.34, 95% CI: 1.16~9.56) and difficulties in meal preparation (OR=2.35, 95% CI: 1.13~4.88).

In order to effectively improve nutrition in low-income urban elders, it is necessary to develop individual intervention strategies to manage factors that increase the risk of malnutrition and to use systematic approach strategies in local communities in terms of a nutrition support system.

The study was done to develop an evidence-based enteral nutrition (EN) protocol for effective nutritional support for dysphagia in patients with acute stroke, and to evaluate effects of this protocol on clinical outcomes.

A methodological study was used to develop the EN protocol and a quasi-experimental study to verify the effectiveness of the protocol. The preliminary EN protocol was drawn by selecting recommendations from previous well-designed EN guidelines, and then developing additional recommendations based on high-quality evidence. Content validation was assessed by an expert group, and clinical applicability by care providers and patients. The scale-level content validity index of the final EN protocol was 0.99. Assessment was done of differences in percentage of caloric goals achieved and presence of undernutrition, aspiration pneumonia, and gastrointestinal (GI) complications after application of the EN protocol.

In the EN protocol group, the percentage of caloric goals achieved (R²=.24, p=.001) and the reduction of GI complications (p=.045) were significantly improved, but the presence of undernutrition (p=.296) and aspiration pneumonia (p=.601) did not differ from the usual care group.

Results indicate that the new EN protocol for dysphagia in patients with acute stroke significantly increased their nutritional intake and reduced GI complications.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an individualized nutritional education programs on nutrient intake and nutritional status of patients with colorectal cancer who are undergoing palliative chemotherapy.

Forty patients with colorectal cancer (19 experimental and 21 control patients) were recruited from a chemotherapy ward at S University Hospital in Seoul, Korea. The experimental group received two individualized nutritional counseling sessions and two telephone counseling sessions over 6 weeks. The control group received nutritional counseling after completion of data collection. Nutritional education included general guidelines for food intake while receiving chemotherapy, dietary guidelines for patients with colorectal cancer, daily meal schedules to overcome cancer, and dietary guideline for each chemotherapy side effect. Data were analyzed using χ²-test and t-test with the SPSS program 17.0.

Two group comparison revealed that the experimental group had significantly improved calorie (p=.038) and total protein intake (p=.001), and serum albumin percentage change (p=.040). Body weight did not increase but remained the same as the baseline in both groups.

Study results indicate that this individualized nutritional education programs are effective in enhancing nutrient intake and nutritional status of patients with colorectal cancer who are undergoing palliative chemotherapy.

This study was designed to test structural equation modeling of the quality of life of pre-dialysis patients, in order to provide guidelines for the development of interventions and strategies to improve the quality of life of patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

Participants were patients who visited the nephrology outpatient department of a tertiary hospital located in Seoul. Data on demographic factors, social support, nutritional status, physical factors and biobehavioral factors and quality of life were collected between March 4 and March 31, 2011.

In the final analysis 208 patients were included. Of the patients 42% were in a malnourished state. Anxious or depressed patients accounted for 62.0%, 72.6%, respectively. Model fit indices for the hypothetical model were in good agreement with the recommended levels (GFI= .94 and CFI= .99). Quality of life in pre-dialysis patients with CKD was significantly affected by demographic factors, social support, nutritional status, physical factors and biobehavioral factors. Biobehavioral factors had the strongest and most direct influence on quality of life of patients with CKD.

In order to improve the quality of life in pre-dialysis patients with CKD, comprehensive interventions are necessary to assess and manage biobehavioral factors, physical factors and nutritional status.

This study was designed to test structural equation modeling of the quality of life of stroke survivors in order to provide guidelines for development of interventions and strategies to improve their quality of life.

The participants in the study were patients who visited the neurology outpatient department of a tertiary hospital in Seoul between June 25 and October 15, 2009. Data collection was carried out through one-on-one interviews. Demographic factors, functional independence, social support, nutritional status, post-stroke biobehavioral changes and quality of life were investigated.

The final analysis included 215 patients. Fitness of the hypothetical model was appropriate (χ²=111.5, p=.000, GFI=.926, AGFI=.880, RMSA=.068, NFI=.911, CFI=.953). Functional dependency, social support and post-stroke biobehavioral changes were found to be significant explaining variance in quality of life. Post-stroke biobehavioral changes had the strongest direct influence on quality of life. Nutritional status had an indirect effect on the quality of life.

To improve the quality of life of stroke survivors, comprehensive interventions are necessary to manage post-stroke biobehavioral changes, and strengthening social support networks that can contribute to enhancing the quality of life of stroke survivors.

Despite recent advances in the surgical and postoperative management of infants with congenital heart disease, nutritional support for this population is often suboptimal. The purpose of this study was to develop a nutritional program for the postoperative period for infants who have had cardiac surgery and to evaluate effects of the program.

A quasi-experimental design with pretest and posttest measures was used. A newly developed nutritional program including a feeding protocol and feeding flow was provided to the study group (n=19) and usual feeding care to the control group (n=19). The effects of the feeding program were analyzed in terms of total feed intake, total calorie intake, gastric residual volume, and frequency of diarrhea.

Calorie intake and feeding amount in the study group were significantly increased compared to the control group. However, the two groups showed no significant differences in gastric residual volume and frequency of diarrhea.

The results indicate that the nutritional program used in the study is an effective nursing intervention program in increasing feeding amount and calorie intake in infants postoperative to cardiac surgery and does not cause feeding-related complications.

This study examined the effects of a nutrition education program on self-efficacy, diet behavior pattern and cardiovascular risk factors for patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Sixty-four CVD subjects (37 experimental, 27 control) were recruited from a cardiac center, at a university hospital located in D city, Korea. All subjects attended a first heart camp where pretest measures were performed, and a second heart camp at 6 months for the posttest measures. During the 6 month study period, the experimental group was required to attend five monthly nutrition education sessions, while the control group received only routine outpatient follow-ups. Data were analyzed by X²-test and independent t-test using the SPSSWIN 11.5 program.

Group comparisons revealed that the experimental group had significantly more improved self-efficacy, frequency of food selection, gustation of salt, systolic blood pressure, and serum total-cholesterol compared to the control group.

A nutrition education program may be effective in improving self-efficacy, diet behavior pattern and cardiovascular risk factors for patients with cardiovascular disease.

This study aimed to identify the associated factors of the perceived health status of the elderly in Korea and to provide basic data for developing nursing interventions for the elderly's health management.

This study used a descriptive correlational research design. The subjects of this study were 335 elderly people over 60 yr living in an urban city. Data were collected through personal interviews using questionnaires from September 2006 to March 2007. Empirical indicators of perceived health status were measured by SF-36, nutritional screening initiative (NSI), activities of daily living (ADL) Index, and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) scale. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and hierarchical regression.

The mean age of the subjects was 72.8 and 57.0% of subjects were female. 41.5% of variance in physical health was explained by nutrition, ADL, IADL, and the number of years attending school. Among them the most important factor was ADL. 13.2% of variance in mental health was explained by the number of family, nutrition, and IADL. Among them the most important factor was nutrition.

It is necessary to develop supportive interventions for improving the perceived health status of elderly people by considering the most important factors shown in this study.

This study was conducted to identify the effects of a PMS nutritional education program for college nursing students.

Subjects consisted of nursing students(experimental group: 29, control group: 27). The experimental group participated in a PMS nutritional education program for 8 weeks (including group and individual involvement). Data was collected before and after the education, and measurement tools were premenstrual symptoms, PMS knowledge, and self health behavior.

After the intervention, the experimental group showed a significant increase in PMS knowledge(Z=6.32, p=.000) and self health behavior(t=3.00, p=.004) compared to the control group. After the intervention the experimental group showed a significant increase in PMS knowledge(Z=-4.64, p=.000) and self health behavior(t=-3.04, p=.005) than before the intervention.

These results suggest that the short term effects of a PMS nutritional education program for nursing students was proven useful and the program should be applied to PMS nutrition education for PMS clients as well as health professionals.