Researchers followed 63 patients getting stem cell transplants to understand why they struggle to eat enough. They found that most patients experienced eating difficulties during and after their transplant, with symptoms like nausea, mouth sores, and loss of appetite making it hard to get proper nutrition. The good news? Using special nutrition drinks and supplements helped patients eat more and get the calories and protein they needed. This research shows that paying attention to eating problems early and offering nutritional support can make a real difference in patient recovery.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How well stem cell transplant patients can eat and what problems stop them from getting enough nutrition during their treatment and recovery
  • Who participated: 63 patients receiving stem cell transplants at one hospital between May 2022 and February 2023, tracked through multiple visits during their treatment period
  • Key finding: Between 57-95% of patients had at least one eating problem (like nausea or mouth sores), and most couldn’t eat enough calories or protein. However, using nutrition supplements significantly helped patients eat more and meet their nutritional needs.
  • What it means for you: If you or a loved one is getting a stem cell transplant, expect eating to be difficult but know that special nutrition drinks and supplements can help. Talk to your medical team about nutrition support early in your treatment—it may improve your recovery.

The Research Details

This was a forward-looking study where researchers tracked 63 patients getting stem cell transplants at one hospital over several months. They collected information 439 times total—meaning they checked on each patient multiple times during their treatment and recovery. The researchers asked patients about what they were eating, how much they could eat, and what symptoms were making it hard to eat (like nausea, mouth sores, or loss of appetite). They used special statistical methods to figure out which factors helped or hurt patients’ ability to eat enough calories and protein.

The study period included the time right before the transplant, during the transplant process, and the weeks after. This allowed researchers to see how eating ability changed over time and what made the biggest difference in helping patients maintain good nutrition.

Stem cell transplants are intense treatments that affect the whole body, including the mouth, throat, and digestive system. When patients can’t eat enough, they get weaker and may have slower recovery. By tracking patients over time instead of just looking at one moment, researchers could see the real patterns of eating problems and test what actually helps. This approach is stronger than just asking patients once because it captures how things change during treatment.

This study has several strengths: it followed patients over time (which is better than just taking a snapshot), it collected lots of data points (439 records from 63 patients), and it looked at real patients in a real hospital setting. However, it only included patients from one hospital, so results might be different in other places. The researchers used proper statistical methods to find connections between factors and eating ability. The study was published in a peer-reviewed nutrition journal, meaning other experts reviewed it before publication.

What the Results Show

The researchers found that eating ability followed a pattern: it got worse right after the transplant, then gradually improved. At the worst point, most patients couldn’t eat enough to meet their calorie and protein needs. Specifically, 57-95% of patients experienced at least one eating problem during the transplant period—this wide range happened because different patients had different problems at different times.

The most important finding was about what helped: patients who used oral nutrition supplements (special drinks designed to provide calories and protein) were much more likely to meet their nutritional needs. On the flip side, patients who had eating-related symptoms like nausea, mouth sores, difficulty swallowing, or loss of appetite were more likely to eat less than 50% of the calories and protein they needed.

The same pattern held true for both calories and protein intake—nutrition supplements helped with both, and eating-related symptoms hurt both. This suggests that addressing eating problems and providing nutritional support are equally important for both types of nutrition.

The study showed that eating problems were extremely common—almost all patients experienced at least one symptom that made eating difficult. The types of problems varied, but they all had the same effect: making it harder to eat enough. The fact that nutrition supplements worked as a protective factor suggests that when patients can’t eat regular food, having an alternative source of nutrition is critical. The research also showed that these problems weren’t just temporary—they lasted throughout the transplant period, meaning patients needed ongoing support, not just help at one point.

Previous research has shown that nutrition problems are common after stem cell transplants, but this study adds important new information by tracking the same patients over time and showing exactly when problems happen and what helps. Earlier studies often looked at nutrition problems as a single event, but this research shows they’re an ongoing challenge that needs continuous attention. The finding that nutrition supplements help is consistent with what doctors already recommend, but this study provides stronger evidence that they really do make a difference in real patients.

The study only included patients from one hospital, so the results might be different in other places with different resources or patient populations. The researchers didn’t randomly assign patients to get supplements or not—they just observed who used them and who didn’t, so we can’t be completely sure supplements caused the improvement (though it’s very likely). The study didn’t look at long-term outcomes after the transplant period ended, so we don’t know if early nutrition support affects recovery months later. Additionally, the study didn’t examine all possible factors that might affect eating ability, so there may be other important factors the researchers didn’t measure.

The Bottom Line

If you’re having a stem cell transplant: (1) Expect eating to be difficult and plan for it—this is normal and happens to most patients. (2) Talk to your medical team about nutrition support early, before problems get severe. (3) Ask about oral nutrition supplements (special drinks) if you can’t eat enough regular food—the evidence suggests they really help. (4) Report eating problems like nausea, mouth sores, or loss of appetite to your doctors immediately so they can help. Confidence level: Moderate to High—this is based on real patient data, though from one hospital.

This research is most relevant for: patients about to have stem cell transplants, their families and caregivers, and healthcare teams caring for transplant patients. If you’re having a different type of cancer treatment or surgery, some of this information might apply, but talk to your doctor about your specific situation. This research is less relevant for people with other types of eating problems not related to medical treatment.

Eating problems typically start within days of the transplant and peak around 1-2 weeks after. With proper support and nutrition supplements, most patients see improvement over weeks to months. However, some eating difficulties can persist for several weeks or longer. Don’t expect immediate improvement—nutrition support works gradually as your body heals.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily calorie and protein intake (or percentage of goal met) along with specific eating symptoms (nausea, mouth sores, appetite level). Use a simple 1-10 scale for symptom severity. This helps identify patterns and shows whether nutrition interventions are working.
  • Set a daily goal for nutrition supplement intake (for example, 2-3 bottles per day) and log each one consumed. Use app reminders to drink supplements at specific times. If eating regular food is difficult, gradually replace meals with supplements rather than trying to force regular food.
  • Weekly review of eating ability trends and symptom patterns. If intake drops below 50% of goals for more than 2-3 days, flag this for medical team review. Track which supplements work best and which symptoms are most problematic to share with your healthcare provider at appointments.

This research describes what happened in one group of patients at one hospital and should not replace personalized medical advice. Stem cell transplant patients have unique nutritional needs that depend on their specific condition, other treatments, and health status. Always work with your transplant team and registered dietitian to create a nutrition plan tailored to your situation. Do not start, stop, or change any nutrition supplements or medical treatments without talking to your doctor first. This information is educational and not a substitute for professional medical care.