Nutritonal evaluation of pemphigus foliaceus patients on long term glucocorticoid therapy Avaliação do estado nutricional de pacientes com pênfigo foliáceo sob corticoterapia prolongada

Our objective was to compare food intake and nutritional status of Pemphigus Foliaceus patients (PG) on long term glucocorticoid therapy to a Control Group (CG). Fourteen PG female inpatients receiving prednisone (0.33 ± 0.22mg/kg) for at least 12 months and twelve CG subjects were submitted to nutritional evaluation, including anthropometry, urinary creatinine determination and serum biochemical measurements, besides 48-h-based food intake records. Groups were compared by Chi-square, Mann-Whitney and "t" tests. PG patients and CG were paired, respectively, in relation to age (24.7 ± 14.1 vs. 22.0 ± 12.0 years), body mass index (25.8 ± 6.4 vs. 24.0 ± 5.6kg/m2), daily protein intake (132.9 ± 49.8 vs. 95.2 ± 58.9g), and serum albumin (median; range) (3.8; 3.5-4.1 vs. 3.8; 3.6-5.0g/dl). However, PG patients had lower height-creatinine index (64.8 ± 17.6 vs. 90.1 ± 33.4%), and higher daily energy (3080 ± 1099 vs. 2187 ± 702kcal) and carbohydrate (376.8 ± 135.8 vs. 242.0 ± 80.7g) intakes. Despite high food, protein and energy consumption, PG patients on long term glucocorticoid therapy had lower body muscle mass than controls, while showing high body fat stores. These findings are possibly related to combined metabolic effects of long term corticotherapy and inflammatory disease plus corticosteroid-induced increased appetite.<br>O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar o estado nutricional e dados de ingestão alimentar de pacientes com Pênfigo Foliáceo (PF, n=14) sob corticoterapia prolongada (prednisona, 0,33 ± 0,22mg/kg/dia há mais de 12 meses) com um Grupo Controle (GC, n=12). A avaliação constou de inquérito alimentar de 48 horas, antropometria e determinação de creatinina urinária de 24h e albumina sérica. Os grupos PF e GC foram pareados, respectivamente, quanto à idade (24,7 ± 14,1 vs 22,0 ± 12,0 anos), índice de massa corporal (25,8 ± 6,4 vs 24,0 ± 5,6kg/m2), ingestão diária de proteína (132,9 ± 49,8 vs 95,2 ± 58,9g) e albumina sérica (mediana;faixa de variação) (3,8;3,5-4,1 vs 3,8;3,6-5,0g/dl). Pacientes com pênfigo apresentaram menor índice creatinina-altura (64,8 ± 17,6 vs 90,1 ± 33,4%) e maior ingestão de energia (3080 ± 1099 vs 2187 ± 702kcal/dia) e carboidratos (376,8 ± 135,8 vs 242,0 ± 80,7g/dia). Apesar do maior consumo de alimentos, os pacientes com pênfigo apresentaram menor massa muscular que os controles, achados possivelmente relacionados ao aumento do apetite e efeitos metabólicos combinados da corticoterapia e da doença inflamatória crônica