NUTRITIONAL FACTORS OF ANEMIA IN ULCERATIVE COLITIS PATIENTS.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Clinical Nutrition
• Hematology

Background:

• Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
• Anemia is a common complication in UC patients.
• The relationship between nutritional status and anemia in UC requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between decreased nutritional markers and hemoglobin levels in patients with ulcerative colitis.
• To identify specific nutritional parameters linked to anemia in UC.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 103 ulcerative colitis patients.
• Data collected included demographics, disease characteristics, hemoglobin, total serum protein, BMI, and fat-free mass index.
• Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between nutritional status and hemoglobin, adjusted for covariates.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of anemia was 37.9% in the study sample.
• Total serum protein levels (standardized β = 0.369, p = 0.010) and fat-free mass index (standardized β = 0.509, p < 0.001) were significantly and positively associated with hemoglobin levels in the adjusted model.
• These findings indicate a direct correlation between key nutritional markers and hemoglobin in UC patients.

Conclusions:

• Undernutrition is suggested as a contributing factor to anemia in ulcerative colitis.
• Anemia management in UC patients with undernutrition should incorporate nutritional support.
• Addressing nutritional deficiencies may be essential for improving hemoglobin levels and overall health in UC.