Nutritional assessment of patients with Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and nutritional supplements

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) shows certain factors that may adversely affect nutritional status, such as increased burden on respiratory muscles, release of inflammatory mediators, and physical inactivity. <bold>Objectives:</bold> To understand the one-year effect of nutritional supplements on patients with IPF by measuring nutritional status and body composition using novel techniques (BIVA) for improved diagnosis and intervention. <bold>Materials and methods:</bold> Prospective baseline and one-year follow-up study of IPF patients undergoing nutritional intervention and exercise. Body composition is assessed using BIVA. <bold>Results:</bold> 63 patients, 52 males (82.5%), with a mean age of 71.7 (7.07) years and a mortality rate of 8.6% in the sample. 62.1% of the sample had moderate malnutrition risk according to VSG and 20.7% severe risk. Stage I GAP 36.5%, Stage II 51.9%, Stage III 11.5%. Below is the description of the sample categorized by oral supplement intake (Image 1) Patients taking supplements show no significant changes in any BIVA parameters, indicating maintenance at muscular and weight levels. Conversely, significant changes are observed among patients not taking supplements regarding BCM, Pha (spha), and Nak, indicating worsening of muscle measurement values after one year, with no significant changes in fat mass or weight, highlighting the necessity of these techniques for evaluating patients' nutritional status. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> The use of nutritional supplements (high-protein and omega-3-enriched) in this patient group demonstrates improvement in nutritional status (VSG) and maintenance of lean mass (BCM) and Pha.