# Impact of PDCA cycle-driven nutritional support on serum biomarkers and quality of life in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients undergoing radiotherapy

## TL;DR

This study shows that using the PDCA cycle for nutritional support improves health outcomes and quality of life in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients receiving radiotherapy.

## Contribution

The study introduces the use of the PDCA cycle in nutritional management for NPC patients during radiotherapy, demonstrating improved clinical and quality-of-life outcomes.

## Key findings

- PDCA cycle-based nutritional support increased total effective rate to 72% compared to 38% in the control group.
- The PDCA group showed better nutritional biomarkers and lower CRP levels post-treatment.
- Quality of life and reduced adverse reactions were significantly better in the PDCA group.

## Abstract

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of nutritional support guided by the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle management model in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients undergoing radiotherapy.

A total of 100 NPC patients between December 2021 and October 2023 were randomly assigned to two groups: an observation group (OG, n = 50) and a control group (CG, n = 50). The CG received routine nutritional support, while the OG received nutritional support based on the PDCA cycle. Key outcomes included blood nutritional biomarkers, quality of life (QoL), incidence of adverse reactions (ARs), and clinical efficacy.

Post-treatment analysis showed that the OG had a significantly higher total effective rate (72%) compared to the CG (38%) (P< 0.05). The OG also showed higher albumin, prealbumin, and total protein levels and lower CRP levels after treatment. The OG significantly improved cognitive, role, social, physical, and emotional functioning (P< 0.05). The AR rate was considerably lower in the OG (20%) compared to the CG (36%) (P< 0.05).

These results suggest that PDCA cycle-based nutritional support enhances clinical efficacy and QoL, reduces nutritional risks and adverse reactions and improves overall safety in NPC patients undergoing radiotherapy. Serum markers like serum iron, ferritin, prealbumin, and CRP effectively monitored the impact of nutritional interventions on patients' nutritional and inflammatory status.