title: The prevalence of malnutrition and fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies in chronic pancreatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with chronic pancreatitis are at risk of malnutrition and nutrient deficiency due to malabsorption, pain, and poor diet. We sought to examine fat-soluble vitamin levels and malnutrition parameters in patients with chronic pancreatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective controlled cohort study, 128 subjects (62 chronic pancreatitis patients and 66 age-/sex-matched controls) were recruited. Body mass index (BMI), handgrip strength (measure of functional capacity), fat stores (triceps skin fold), muscle stores (mid-arm muscle circumference), exocrine function, and serum levels of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E) were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Half of patients in the chronic pancreatitis group were overweight or obese, although the mean BMI was lower in patients than in controls (P = .007). Handgrip strength (P = .048), fat stores (P = .000), and muscle stores (P = .001) were lower in patients than in controls. Of the patients, 14.5% and 24.2% were deficient in vitamins A and E, respectively. Nineteen percent of patients had excess serum vitamin A levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the prevalence of overweight and obesity, patients had lower muscle stores, strength, and abnormal vitamin levels. Detailed nutrition assessment including anthropometry and vitamin status is warranted in chronic pancreatitis.
authors.affiliation: Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Sinead N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Duggan
authors.forename: Niamh D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Smyth
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.forename: Sinead
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Feehan
authors.forename: Paul F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Ridgway
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Conlon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins; D014801:Vitamin A; D014807:Vitamin D; D014810:Vitamin E
keywords: avitaminosis; nutrition assessment; pancreatic diseases; pancreatitis; vitamin A; vitamin D; vitamin E; vitamins