Disease-related malnutrition in systemic sclerosis: evidences and implications.
The present review summarises evidences and provides recommendations for the screening and management of malnutrition in systemic sclerosis (SSc). This complication is frequently under-estimated when assessing patients and this may lead to an impaired estimation of prognosis. The presence of malnutrition is indicated by anthropometric and biohumoral changes reflecting protein stores (low serum prealbumin) and influenced by organ involvement in SSc (skin and the gastrointestinal tract). Patients at high risk of malnutrition or with low prealbumin levels have shown increased mortality risk and, therefore, a nutritional assessment is mandatory in every SSc patient. This screening is especially important as malnutrition represents a potentially modifiable risk factor with nutritional interventions. The pillars of nutritional treatment are also discussed.
Unit of Rheumatology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
Veronica
V
Codullo
Nutrition and Dietetics Service, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
Emanuele
E
Cereda
Unit of Rheumatology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
Gloria
G
Crepaldi
Nutrition and Dietetics Service, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
Silvia
S
Cappello
Unit of Rheumatology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
Carlomaurizio
C
Montecucco
Nutrition and Dietetics Service, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
Riccardo
R
Caccialanza
Unit of Rheumatology, IRCCS Foundation Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy. caporali@smatteo.pv.it.
Roberto
R
Caporali
D006801:Humans; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome