A close look at the nutritional status and mediterranean diet adherence in patients with behcet’s syndrome

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Ersoy, Nesli^{a; *} | Bölek, Ertuğrul Çağri ^b | Farisoğullari, Bayram^b | Çinar, Nur^c | Garipoğlu, Gökçen^d | Çolak, Seda^e | Tekgöz, Emre^e | Yilmaz, Sedat^e | Karadağ, Ömer^b | Özgürtaş, Taner^c

Affiliations: [a] Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey | [b] Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey | [c] Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey | [d] Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bahçeşehir University, İstanbul, Turkey | [e] Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Phd. Nesli ERSOY, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Turkey. Email: nesli.arpaci@hacettepe.edu.tr.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to investigate Behçet’s syndrome (BS) patients’ regarding anthropometric measurements, daily energy and nutrient intake, and the MD adherence of patients. METHODS:100 consecutive patients with BS were prospectively enrolled in two rheumatology outpatient clinics. Mid Upper Arm circumference (MUAC), Triceps skinfold thickness (TST), Mid Upper Arm Muscle Circumference (MUAMC), and Mid Upper Arm Muscle Area (MUAMA) measurements of patients were compared with Turkish reference values. Participants’ daily energy and nutrient intake were categorized by the ‘MD Adherence Score.’ RESULTS:Thirty patients (30%) had only mucocutaneous involvement. According to reference values, 47%, 36%, 14%, and 27% of the participants had low percentile values (<50. percentile) for MUAC, TST, MUAMC, and MUAMA, respectively. Walnuts (35%), eggplant (35%), and tomatoes (13%) were reported as the most prominent foods for symptom exacerbations. The mean MD adherence score was 23.5±6.5 (male: 23.2±6.9; female: 24.2±5.9) points and the adherence status was average (60%) and poor (35%) in the majority of the patients. CONCLUSIONS:Food consumption is important regarding symptom occurrence and multidisciplinary management of BS. Some participants had poor adherence to the MD. Increased waist/hip ratio, BMI, and decreased TST and MUAMA may indicate body muscle mass and unhealthy eating patterns. Patients with BS need encouragement for healthy eating habits.

Keywords: Behçet’s syndrome, nutrition, dietary habits, disease activity, mediterranean diet

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-230053

Journal: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 43-52, 2024