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Published on: September 20, 2018
Vitamin D status and risk for sarcopenia in youth with inflammatory bowel diseases
D R Mager1,2, M W Carroll2,3, E Wine2,3
1Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Insights
Sarcopenia and vitamin D deficiency are common in newly diagnosed pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Young children with Crohn
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Nutritional Science
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research
Background:
- Suboptimal vitamin D (vitD) status and reduced lean body mass are prevalent in pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
- Understanding these factors is crucial for managing newly diagnosed pediatric IBD patients.
- Early identification of sarcopenia and vitD deficiency can guide therapeutic interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of sarcopenia in newly diagnosed pediatric IBD patients.
- To investigate the association between vitamin D status and sarcopenia in this population.
- To identify specific subgroups at higher risk for sarcopenia.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study including children with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).
- Assessed body composition (skeletal muscle mass - SMM) and serum 25(OH)D levels.
- Defined sarcopenia as SMM-z score < -2; suboptimal vitD as 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/l.
Main Results:
- Sarcopenia prevalence was 23.5% and suboptimal 25(OH)D levels were found in 52% of children.
- Younger children (<13 years) with CD and suboptimal vitD had the highest sarcopenia frequency (57.1%).
- Significant association found between sarcopenia and vitamin D deficiency in young CD patients (p=0.004).
Conclusions:
- Sarcopenia is prevalent in newly diagnosed pediatric IBD, particularly in young children with Crohn's disease.
- Vitamin D deficiency is common and strongly associated with sarcopenia in this vulnerable group.
- Early screening for sarcopenia and vitamin D status is recommended for pediatric IBD patients.
Abstract:
Suboptimal vitamin D (vitD) status and reduced lean body mass are highly prevalent in pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The study objective was to determine sarcopenia prevalence and associations with vitD status in newly diagnosed pediatric IBD. Children with Crohn's disease (CD; n = 58) and ulcerative colitis (UC; n = 27) were included. Primary outcomes included body composition (total/regional/percent fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), skeletal muscle mass (SMM)), and vitD status (serum 25(OH)D). Sarcopenia was defined as SMM-z < -2. Additional variables measured included serum CRP, ESR, anthropometric, Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (PCDAI), and the Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Disease Activity index (PUCAI). Sarcopenia and suboptimal 25(OH)D levels (< 50 nmol/l) were found in 23.5% (n = 20) and 52% (n = 44) of children, respectively. Younger children (< 13 years) with CD with suboptimal 25(OH)vitD (< 50 nmol/l) had the greatest frequency of sarcopenia (57.1%) (p = 0.004). Sarcopenia was prevalent in newly diagnosed, young children with CD with vitD deficiency.
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