Nutritional status of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients attending Kasr Alainy MS unit: an exploratory cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Nutrition was claimed to be a factor in MS causation, course, complications, and management. Several studies were conducted to assess the nutritional status of MS patients; however, few studies were conducted to assess this problem in Egypt. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to assess the nutritional status of a sample of MS patients. Methods The researchers conducted an exploratory cross-sectional study among 76 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients attending Kasr Alainy Multiple Sclerosis Unit (KAMSU) from October 2018 to January 2019 to assess the nutritional status of a sample of MS patients. Data were collected using a structured interview questionnaire including an inquiry about the socioeconomic status, and nutritional status using anthropometric measurements, patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA), semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires (SQFFQ), and hemoglobin level measurement. Assessment of fatigue was done using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale 5-items version. Results The mean age of the study participants was 30 ± 6 years. The disease duration ranged from 2 to 264 months. Malnutrition was prevalent among 67.1% (27.6 % overweight, 36.8% obese, and 2.6% underweight). Half of the investigated patients were anemic. According to the PG-SGA, more than half of the studied patients (53.9%) were classified as moderately or suspected malnourished. The unhealthy dietary habits such as taking only a few meals, junk food intake and skipping breakfast were observed in considerable proportions of the group. The SQFFQ revealed overconsumption of energy and fat, and less than acceptable consumption of dietary fibers by most of the studied patients. Conclusions Overweight, obesity, anemia, and unhealthy dietary habits were prevalent among the RRMS patients attending the KAMSU. Nutrition care service is extremely needed for this group of patients.

Impact of nutrition counseling on anthropometry and dietary intake of multiple sclerosis patients at Kasr Alainy Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Cairo, Egypt 2019–2020: randomized controlled clinical trial

“…This study revealed a high prevalence of overweight, obesity and central obesity among the enrolled 120 patients, close to that reported for patients with MS in the same unit in a prior study [ 5 ]. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is higher than that reported by Marck et al [ 27 ].…”

“…The sample size was calculated using Statcalc [ 8 ]. Assumptions for the calculation of sample size were as follows: a percentage of outcome (bad dietary habits and/or high BMI) in the non-exposed 70% [ 5 ]; relative risk, 0.6; alpha, 0.05; and power, 80. The calculated sample size was 100: 50 intervention subjects and 50 control subjects [ 9 ].…”

“…Approximately one-quarter (27.6%) of the studied patients were overweight, 36.8% were obese, and 2.6% were underweight. Unhealthy dietary habits were prevalent among considerable proportions of this group of patients, such as eating junk food, consuming only a few but a large amount at meals, and skipping breakfast [ 5 ].…”

Nutritional Status and Body Composition in Wilson Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study From China

“…Anthropometric measurements are usually applied in the absence of biochemical conditions and suitable bioelectrical impedance instruments (17)(18)(19). Among these parameters, skinfold thickness can reflect the overall level of the fat rate at the section of the trunk and limbs (subscapular skinfold thickness and triceps skinfold thickness, respectively) (20).…”