Comprehensive nursing care for advanced digestive malignancy patients during chemotherapy based on probiotic intervention: a randomized controlled study on improvement of gastrointestinal function and prevention of complications.

The observation group showed significantly lower total gastrointestinal function scores compared to the control group at week 8.

• Total gastrointestinal function score at week 8: observation group 1.57 ± 0.58 vs. control group 3.74 ± 1.05
• Difference was statistically significant (t=22.156, P=0.000)
• Improvements were observed across all gastrointestinal dimensions: bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea/vomiting
• Significant differences between groups were present at 2, 4, and 8 weeks (P<0.05)
• No significant differences were observed between the groups at baseline (P>0.05)

The observation group demonstrated significantly higher nutritional status indicators at week 8 compared to the control group.

• Serum albumin: observation group 41.53 ± 2.96 vs. control group 36.18 ± 3.42 (P<0.01)
• Prealbumin: observation group 276.41 ± 17.53 vs. control group 218.65 ± 20.37 (P<0.01)
• BMI: observation group 23.58 ± 2.86 vs. control group 22.37 ± 3.21 (P<0.01)
• All three nutritional indicators were significantly higher in the observation group

The observation group had higher quality of life scores and lower non-infectious complication rates than the control group.

• Quality of life was measured using the EORTC QOLQ-C30 instrument
• Differences in quality of life scores were statistically significant (P<0.05)
• Non-infectious complication rates were lower in the observation group (P<0.05)
• Nursing satisfaction was also increased in the observation group

Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) analysis confirmed that the observation group showed greater improvements in all measured indicators over time compared to the control group.

• GEE was used to analyze the dynamic effects of the intervention across measurement time points (2, 4, and 8 weeks)
• GEE analysis confirmed greater improvements in all indicators for the observation group (P<0.01)
• The analysis accounted for repeated measures at baseline and at weeks 2, 4, and 8

The study enrolled 300 advanced digestive malignancy patients undergoing chemotherapy, randomized equally into two groups.

• Patients were enrolled from January 2021 to December 2024 at an Oncology Specialty Hospital
• Randomization was performed using a random number table, with 150 patients per group
• The control group received conventional chemotherapy nursing care; the observation group received combined probiotic intervention with comprehensive nursing care
• Baseline characteristics showed no significant differences between groups (P>0.05)