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The Prevalence of Malnutrition and Fat‐Soluble Vitamin Deficiencies in Chronic Pancreatitis
Author(s) -
Duggan Sinead N.,
Smyth Niamh D.,
O'Sullivan Maria,
Feehan Sinead,
Ridgway Paul F.,
Conlon Kevin C.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
nutrition in clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.725
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1941-2452
pISSN - 0884-5336
DOI - 10.1177/0884533614528361
Subject(s) - medicine , pancreatitis , malnutrition , overweight , vitamin , malabsorption , gastroenterology , fat soluble vitamin , vitamin d and neurology , body mass index , prospective cohort study , anthropometry , endocrinology
Background : Patients with chronic pancreatitis are at risk of malnutrition and nutrient deficiency due to malabsorption, pain, and poor diet. We sought to examine fat‐soluble vitamin levels and malnutrition parameters in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Materials and Methods : In a prospective controlled cohort study, 128 subjects (62 chronic pancreatitis patients and 66 age‐/sex‐matched controls) were recruited. Body mass index (BMI), handgrip strength (measure of functional capacity), fat stores (triceps skin fold), muscle stores (mid‐arm muscle circumference), exocrine function, and serum levels of fat‐soluble vitamins (A, D, E) were measured. Results : Half of patients in the chronic pancreatitis group were overweight or obese, although the mean BMI was lower in patients than in controls ( P = .007). Handgrip strength ( P = .048), fat stores ( P = .000), and muscle stores ( P = .001) were lower in patients than in controls. Of the patients, 14.5% and 24.2% were deficient in vitamins A and E, respectively. Nineteen percent of patients had excess serum vitamin A levels. Conclusions : Despite the prevalence of overweight and obesity, patients had lower muscle stores, strength, and abnormal vitamin levels. Detailed nutrition assessment including anthropometry and vitamin status is warranted in chronic pancreatitis.