ESPEN 2012 - Late breaking abstract submission

Topic: Late Breaking Abstract

Abs n°:ESPEN12-1930

Abs Title: MICRONUTRIENT STATUS IN IBD PATIENTS

M. Plas ^1,*M. van den Berg ²W. Mares ³B. Witteman ³J. Klein Gunnewiek ⁴J. de Vries ⁵

¹Nutrition Alliance, Hospital Gelderse Vallei, EDE, ²Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, ³internal medicine, ⁴laboratory, Hospital Gelderse Vallei, ⁵Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, EDE, Netherlands

Rationale: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) including Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis can lead to malnutrition by decreased dietary intake and nutrient malabsorption. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of IBD-patients at risk of malnutrition including micronutrient deficiencies.

Methods: Of the 41 patients recruited from the outpatient clinic, 22 had ulcerative colitis and 19 Crohn’s disease.  Risk of malnutrition was assessed according to the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST).In addition, hand grip strength (HGS) and data on serum micronutrient values ( vitamins B1, B6, B12, D, E, folic acid, calcium, selenium, magnesium) were collected. Finally, patients filled out a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess micronutrient intakes.

A one sample t-test was used to compare serum values, micronutrient intakes and HGS with their age and gender specific reference values.

Results: According to the MUST 4 patients were at risk of malnutrition. Nine patients  had a lower HGS than their age and gender specific reference value.  Mean serum vitamin D (61.3 nmol/l), folic acid (22.1 nmol/l), calcium (2.37 nmol/l), selenium (1.03 µmol/l), and magnesium (0.85 nmol/l)levels were significantly below their respective mean reference values (p<0.05).  Patients with active disease seemed to have a lower calcium level and a higher folic acid level. Other results were not influenced by activity index.

Of these micronutrients, mean intakes of folic acid 191.0 µg/day) and vitamin D (4.0 µg/day) were inadequate in comparison to the Estimated Average Requirements.

Conclusion: Our study shows that IBD outpatients may be at risk of malnutrition, including deficiencies of micronutrients. For some micronutrients this may be explained by an inadequate intake.

Disclosure of Interest: None Declared

Keywords: Gastrointestinalmicronutrient deficiency