Anthropometric Assessment After Proctocolectomy Due to Ulcerative Colitis

BACKGROUND: Postoperative changes in patient anthropometric and nutritional statuses after proctocolectomy due to ulcerative colitis (UC) are unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2015 and December 2017, nine patients who underwent proctocolectomy with temporary ileostomy (PTI) for UC at our hospital were enrolled in this study. For the comparison group, eight patients who underwent low anterior resection (LAR) with temporary ileostomy for rectal cancer in the same period were recruited. Data, including body weight; body mass index (BMI); levels of total protein, albumin, cholinesterase, and hemoglobin; and lymphocyte counts, were analyzed. The changes in these parameters before surgery until 6 months after surgery were compared. RESULTS: Before surgery, the levels of total protein, albumin, cholinesterase, hemoglobin and lymphocyte counts in the PTI group were significantly worse than those in the LAR group. However, significant differences were not identified in these factors at 1 month after surgery. The BMI was significantly lower in the PTI group than in the LAR group until 3 months after surgery. An increase in body weight to greater than that prior to surgery was found from 4 months after surgery in the PTI group. The LAR group did not have any effect of surgery in terms of any factor. CONCLUSION: BMI appears to be the most useful predictor of clinical and nutritional changes postoperatively.