Effects of Vitamin Intake on Blood Glucose in Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: Quantitative and Descriptive Research

Abstract

Purpose: This study's purpose was to identify the relationship between daily vitamin intake and blood glucose in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and identify factors affecting blood glucose.

Methods: This descriptive study included 134 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at a university hospital. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, independent T-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 27.0 version.

Results: The average blood glucose of the subjects was 128.13±37.34 mg/dL and 30.6% of the subjects had readings of over 140 mg/dL. Blood glucose varied significantly by sex, age, education level, exercise frequency, and comorbidity. Vitamins A, E, and C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, and biotin were negatively correlated with blood glucose. Factors affecting blood glucose were exercising 7 times a week (β=-.61, p<.001), 4 to 6 times a week (β=-.41, p<.001), 1 to 3 times a week (β=-.38, p<.001), age (β=.18, p=.016), and vitamin A intake (β=-.16, p<.043), with a total explanatory power of approximately 31.5%.

Conclusion: Nurses should provide patients undergoing chemotherapy with lifestyle interventions including exercise at least 3 days a week and appropriate vitamin A intake, especially for older patients, to prevent hyperglycemia.