Evaluation of nutritional status among Egyptian female patients suffering active rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract EN

Fifty Egyptian female patients suffering from active rheumatoid arthritis were included in this study .

Their ages ranged from 21-65 years (mean age = 42±9.3 years) and the disease duration was 10± 1.2 years.

Thirty healthy individuals of the same sex and age group were included in this study as a control group.

The nutritional assessment of all patients and control subjects were included, the average daily food intake for 7 days.

Anthropometric measurements including weight (kg), height(meter) , body mass index (calculatedfrom weight and height)(kg/m2) , skin fold thickness (cm) ( triceps, subscapular and abdomens) and calculation of the body fat (kg) were assessed.

Anthropometric measurements shows a significant reduction of mean ±SD of body mass index, skin fold thickness of abdomens, triceps, and sub scapular and total body fat in 50 active RA compared with control group.

The average dietary intake for 7 days shows that a significant decrease of total energy , fat , protein , carbohydrate and calcium and iron in active RA compared with results of control group .

But, no change of values of vitamins A, C, B, B2 in RA compared with results of control group .