HIGH PREVALENCE OF MALNUTRITION IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS: RESULTS FROM A FRENCH MONOCENTRIC COHORT STUDY
- Alexandre MARIA, France
Abstract
Background and Aims
Data concerning malnutrition in systemic sclerosis (SSc) are scarce and contradictory, with a poor description of nutritional risks. Herein, we investigated the nutritional status of a cohort of SSc patients.
Methods
Malnutrition was defined as a weight loss of ≥10% in 6 months, or BMI <21kg/m2. We used the« Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool » (MUST) score to stratify nutritional risk.
Results
We included 120 patients suffering from limited (57%), diffuse (21%) and sine sclerodermaSSc (4%). Autoantibodies were anti-centromere (37%), anti-Scl-70 (14%), or double negative (42%). 84% of patients had GI involvement with chronic-intestinal-pseudo-obstruction in about 10% of cases. 57% of patients were considered at risk for malnutrition (MUST ≥1) while malnutrition occurred in 58% of cases during follow-up. Limitation of mouth opening, muscle and myocardial involvements were associated with high nutritional risk (MUST ≥2). Therapeutic nutrition was required in 7,5% of patients.
Conclusions
Herein, malnutrition concerned more than half of the cohort, in contrast to previous studies (10-18%), with no difference in terms of GI involvement. Of interest, we noted an association between muscle, myocardial involvement and malnutrition, that may be related to vitamin or trace elements deficiencies. Although these observations have to be confirmed through prospective studies, early detection of nutritional risk in SSc patients seems of great importance. In that context, the MUST score may be a useful tool.