Indicators and prevalence of malnutrition in motor neurone disease.
We investigated the nutritional status of a cross-sectional sample of 47 patients with motor neurone disease (MND). Anthropometric measurements (mid-arm circumference and triceps skinfold thickness) and dietary analysis were taken by a trained observer. 21% of patients were moderately to severely malnourished. Patients with bulbar onset were no more likely to be malnourished than patients with limb onset. Measurements of mid-upper-arm muscle circumference indicated that men were more malnourished than women (p = 0.002). We conclude that malnutrition is more prevalent than generally appreciated in patients with MND, including those who do not have swallowing difficulties.
Worwood
A M
AM
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Kings College Hospital, London, UK.
Leigh
P N
PN
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016472:Motor Neuron Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence