title: Nutritional support in patients with systemic sclerosis.
abstract: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic multisystem autoimmune disease which involves the gastrointestinal tract in about 90% of cases. It may contribute to nutritional deterioration.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess whether the application of a nutritional support protocol to these patients could improve their nutritional status and quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single center prospective study, performed on an outpatient basis, in a county hospital. The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) was used to screen risk for malnutrition. Health questionnaire SF-36 and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used to assess quality of life and psychopathology respectively. Weight, height, energy and protein requirements, macronutrient intake and nutritional biochemical parameters were evaluated. Nutritional intervention was performed in patients at risk for malnutrition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 72 patients, 12.5% were at risk for malnutrition. Iron deficiency anemia (18.35%) and vitamin D deficiency (54%) were the most frequently observed nutritional deficits. The questionnaires on psychopathology and quality of life showed a high prevalence of anxiety and depression, and lower level poor quality of life in the physical and mental component. No significant improvements were observed in the weight, food intake, nutritional biochemical parameters, psychopathology and quality of life follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dietary intervention was able to maintain body weight and food intake. Iron deficiency anemia and vitamin D deficiency improved with iron and vitamine D supplements. No deterioration was observed in psychological assessment or quality of life. Studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to assess the efficacy of this intervention.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Reumatología, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario de Granollers, Granollers, Barcelona, España; Departamento de Medicina, Universidad Internacional de Cataluña, Barcelona, España. Electronic address: veraortizs@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ortiz-Santamaria
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Endocrinología, Diabetes y Nutrición, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario de Granollers, Granollers, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Celia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Puig
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Endocrinología, Diabetes y Nutrición, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario de Granollers, Granollers, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Soldevillla
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Endocrinología, Diabetes y Nutrición, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario de Granollers, Granollers, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barata
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina, Universidad Internacional de Cataluña, Barcelona, España; Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario de Granollers, Granollers, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cuquet
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina, Universidad Internacional de Cataluña, Barcelona, España; Unidad de Endocrinología, Diabetes y Nutrición, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario de Granollers, Granollers, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Asunción
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Recasens
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D018529:Nutritional Support; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Ansiedad; Anxiety; Calidad de vida; Depresión; Depression; Dietic intervention; Déficit de vitamina D; Esclerosis sistémica; Intervención dietética; Malnutrición; Malnutrition; Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool; Nutrición; Nutrition; Nutritional support; Psychological assessment; Quality of life; Soporte nutricional; Systemic sclerosis; Valoración psicológica; Vitamin D deficiency