To investigate the nutritional status and quality of life (QOL) of patients with gastric cancer in perioperative period and to analyze the relationship between nutritional status and QOL.

A prospective study was performed. One hundred and thirty-five patients with gastric cancer were enrolled in this study. The nutritional status and quality of life, 1 day before operation and 10 days after operation, were assessed by the Scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and the Quality of Life Questionnaire of Stomach 22 (QLQ-STO22). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS13.0 software.

In preoperative period, the PG-SGA score was (6.71±3.05), which belonged to moderate malnutrition. PG-SGA score in postoperative period was (12.82±2.85), which belonged to severe malnutrition. PG-SGA score in postoperative period was significantly higher than that in preoperative period (t=-21.91, P=0.000). QOL score in postoperative period (19.69±7.59) was significantly higher than that in preoperative period (14.32±5.97) (t=8.21, P=0.000). The total scores of QOL showed statistically significant differences in patients with different nutritional statuses (F=29.29, P=0.000).

Gastric cancer patients' nutritional status and QOL are impaired in perioperative period. Compared with preoperative period, the nutritional status and QOL of postoperative period are obviously poorer. The QOL of malnourished patients is worse than well-nourished patients. Therefore, nutritional status is independently and negatively associated with QOL in gastric cancer and improving the status of nutritional should be viewed as an important part in the management of gastric cancer.