[Evaluation of nutritional status in patients with systemic sclerosis]

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multi-organ disease with significant mortality. Diagnosis of malnutrition is sometimes difficult, and gastrointestinal disorders in patients with SSc may play a significant role in deteriorating nutritional status. Many factors can contribute to the development of eating disorders in this group of patients, including mood disorders, depression, anxiety - may reduce appetite, ulceration and skin changes, may cause difficulties in preparing and eating meals.

The aim of the study was to assess the nutritional status of patients with SSc.

The study included 32 patients with diagnosed SSc, mean age 52.9±15.9 years. Anthropometric measurements were performed in all SSc patients and body composition was assessed using electrical bioimpedance (BIA). The hand grip strength range was measured using a dynamometer.

Obesity was diagnosed in one patient (3.1%) with SSc. Most patients with SSc, as many as 19 (59.4%), had normal body weight based on BMI. 10 (31.5%) SSc patients were overweight. 2 (6.3%) patients with SSc were diagnosed with malnutrition based on BMI. In the group of patients with SSc, 2 people had deficiencies in lean body mass calculated on the basis of the Fat Free Mass Index (FFMI), while on the basis of the BMI analysis their body mass was normal. In 26 patients with SSc, the content of lean mass assessed on the basis of the FFMI index was normal, while one of these persons had a BMI below the norm and on this basis was diagnosed with malnutrition.

Nutritional disorders are common in patients with SSc. The most common disturbance in nutritional status in SSc patients was overweight, which was present in 31,5 of patients.