Exploring Malnutrition in Systemic Sclerosis: Clinical Profiles, Laboratory Markers, and Contributing Factors

Background: The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is the most affected system in Systemic sclerosis. This has a great impact on food intake and intestinal absorption resulting in gradual increase in nutritional deficiencies which has significant negative consequences on the human body. We aimed from the current study to evaluate the nutritional status in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and all related risk factors that may increase the risk of malnutrition. Methods: This case-control study was carried out on 48 subjects attending the clinics of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of medicine, Zagazig University Hospitals. Group (1): 24 scleroderma patients and group (2): 24 healthy age-sex matched individuals. Nutritional status was assessed using Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST), disease activity using Modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) and Scleroderma Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ), assessment of mouth disability by Mouth Handicap in SSc Questionnaire (MHISS) and serum albumin, zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) were measured. Results: About 41.7% of our patients (10 of 24) were at high risk of malnutrition and about 21% of them (5 of 24) were at moderate risk. High risk group showed lower levels of Zn, Se and albumin and it showed higher degrees of weight loss in the previous 6 months. Conclusion: Our study found that a significant portion of SSc patients is at high risk of malnutrition, associated with lower BMI, serum zinc, and selenium levels. Malnutrition risk correlated with wasting, high ESR, and reduced serum nutrients. These findings emphasize the need for regular nutritional assessment in SSc management.