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. 2011:55.
doi: 10.3402/fnr.v55i0.7561. Epub 2011 Nov 17.

Dietary intake and nutritional status in a Scandinavian adult cystic fibrosis-population compared with recommendations

Inger E Moen  1 , Kristina Nilsson, Anna Andersson, Morten W Fagerland, Gjermund Fluge, Annika Hollsing, Marita Gilljam, Lena Mared, Tacjana Pressler, Henriette Santi, Olav-Trond Storrøsten, Lena Hjelte
Affiliations

Dietary intake and nutritional status in a Scandinavian adult cystic fibrosis-population compared with recommendations

Inger E Moen et al. Food Nutr Res. 2011.

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition is a well-known complication in cystic fibrosis (CF). There is good evidence that maintaining a normal body-weight correlates well with improved survival in CF. Energy intake in excess of 120% of the estimated average requirement (EAR) has been advised since 1980s.

Objectives: To investigate the nutritional intake and status in the adult Scandinavian CF-population.

Subjects/methods: A cross-sectional multi-centre study was used to investigate the nutritional status of 456 adult CF-patients (2003 2006). Height and weight were measured and body mass index (BMI) and z-scores were calculated. Pulmonary function was examined by dynamic spirometry. A 7-day pre-coded food record (FR) obtained energy and nutrient intake data in 180 patients.

Results: The mean energy intake was 114 (SD 30.0)% of EAR and thus significantly lower than the target of 120% EAR (p< 0.001) for patients with pancreatic insufficiency (PI) (n=136). Mean BMI was 22.0 (SD 2.9), the prevalence of BMI <18 was 13% and the prevalence of BMI ≥25 was 15% (n=136). Mean BMI was 20.8 (SD 2.4) in PI-patients with FEV(1) <70% and 23.2% (SD 3.0), in PI-patients with FEV(1) ≥70%, mean difference 2.4, (95% CI: 1.5, 3.3) (p<0.001), but there was no difference in energy intake. BMI ≥18.5 and a reported energy intake <120% were revealed in 54% of the PI-patients.

Conclusions: The energy intake did not reach the recommended 120% EAR, but the prevalence of underweight was lower than reported in other studies. The recommendation may exceed the requirement for a number of CF-patients. The nutritional status must still be closely monitored and nutritional advice and intervention should be individualised and adjusted to actual needs.

Keywords: adult; body mass index; cystic fibrosis; energy intake; forced expiratory volume; nutritional requirement.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Distribution of BMI z-score in PI-patients with food record. Mean value=−0.39.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Distribution of energy intake as a percentage of EAR in PI-patients. Mean value=114%.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Plot of BMI versus FEV1% predicted in PI- patients with food record. The equation for the regression line is BMI=19.1+0.0415×FEV1% predicted, indicating that an increase in FEV1 of 1% is associated with an increase in BMI of 0.0415.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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