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

• Main Authors: Inger E. Moen, Kristina Nilsson, Anna Andersson, Morten W. Fagerland, Gjermund Fluge, Annika Hollsing, Marita Gilljam, Lena Mared, Tacjana Pressler, Henriette Santi, Olav-Trond Storrøsten, Lena Hjelte
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Swedish Nutrition Foundation 2011-11-01
• Series: Food & Nutrition Research
• Subjects: cystic fibrosis; adult; body mass index; energy intake; nutritional requirement; forced expiratory volume
• Online Access: http://www.foodandnutritionresearch.net/index.php/fnr/article/view/7561/16209
• ISSN: 1654-6628; 1654-661X

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.To investigate the nutritional intake and status in the adult Scandinavian CF-population.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.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 FEV1 <70% and 23.2% (SD 3.0), in PI-patients with FEV1 ≥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.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.