Assessment of nutritional status and diseaseactivity level in Systemic Lupus Erythematosuspatients at a tertiary care hospital

摘要

Introduction: Nutritional status and unhealthy dietary habits may have an influence on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) course and activity. Objectives: This work aimed to determine the nutritional status and dietary intake of SLE patients and its relation to disease activity. Material and methods: Sixty-five SLE patients were recruited from Kasr Alainy outpatient clinic from October 2017 to December 2017 in a cross-sectional study. Data were collected using a structured interview questionnaire including inquiry about the socioeconomic status, nutritional status using anthropometric measurements, semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires (FFQ), and hemoglobin level measurement. Disease activity level was assessed using SLE disease activity index (SLE-DAI). Results: The median age of the enrolled female patients was 30.0 (24.0-37.0), with median disease duration of 3.0 years (1.0-9.0). BMI assessment revealed that more than three quarters of SLE patients were overweight and obese. The semi-quantitative FFQ revealed a decreased consumption of fresh fruit, vegetables, milk and other dairy products and an increased intake of fats and oils. Disease activity (SLE-DAI) correlated with increased BMI (r = 0.299, p = 0.016), body weight (r = 0.276, p = 0.026), and disease duration (r = 0.246, p = 0.049). Conclusions: Inadequate nutrient intake and the high percentage of overweight and obesity among SLE patients with excessive consumption of lipids and low intake of fibers were revealed. Also, disease activity (SLE-DAI) correlated with increased BMI.