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Título

NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT OF PATIENTS WITH HEREDITARY ATAXIAS IN NORTHEAST BRAZIL: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Resumo

Introduction: Hereditary Ataxias (HAs) comprise a wide spectrum of genetically determined neurodegenerative diseases with progressive ataxia as the main symptom. Few studies have evaluated nutritional profile in HA patients.
Objective: To evaluate eating habits and nutritional status of a population of patients with HA in Northeastern Brazil. We also analyzed the association of these findings with clinical and genetic profiles of this population.
Methods: We performed an observational case-control study of 2 reference centers in neurogenetic diseases in Fortaleza, a city located in Northeast Brazil. Body composition was assessed with bio-impedance analysis and dietary intake was estimated with a validated questionnaire (24-hour dietary recall).
Results: The final sample consisted of 76 participants, 38 patients with hereditary ataxias and 38 controls. Mean body mass index (BMI) was lower in HA compared to controls (p=0,032). Hereditary ataxia patients showed lower protein intake, higher frequency of dysphagia and higher incidence of nausea and diarrhea. The difference in average estimated caloric intake did not reach statistical significance. Disease severity measured by SARA scale was not associated with BMI, nor was ataxia subtype (autosomal dominant x non-autosomal dominant ataxias).
Conclusion: Hereditary ataxia patients have lower BMI compared to healthy controls. There was no difference in this cohort between dominant or non-dominant ataxia regarding BMI. Weight loss may be a common finding among hereditary ataxias and may affect quality of life in these patients.

Palavras Chave

Hereditary Ataxias. Nutritional status. Eating habits