Abstract:
Introducción: La sensibilidad química múltiple (SQM) es una enfermedad crónica que se
caracteriza por la aparición de gran variedad de síntomas secundarios a la exposición a
sustancias químicas presentes en el ambiente a concentraciones bien toleradas por la
población general. Es una enfermedad con... Ver más
Introduc0on: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic illness characterized by
the appearance of a wide variety of symptoms secondary to exposure to chemicals
present in the environment at concentrations well tolerated by the general population.
It is a disease with a low prevalence for which the pathophysiological mechanism is
unknown. The presence of avoidant behaviors has been observed in these patients in
response to substances that trigger symptoms, including various foods, which could have
an impact on the nutritional status of these patients.
Objectives: The main objective of this study is to determine the nutritional status of
patients with MCS aqended and followed up in outpatient clinics by Internal Medicine
at San Juan University Hospital. As secondary objectives, sarcopenia will be assessed
through dynamometry, changes in CONUT score from the initial assessment to the
present moment will be compared, and the BMI of patients with MCS will be described.
Hypothesis: MCS results in a state of malnutrition in patients suffering from this illness.
Material and methods: This is an observational, descriptive, retrospective study of a
sample of 10 patients with MCS who consented to participate in the initial blood test at
the first outpaWent evaluation (baseline blood test) and continued follow-up (last blood
test performed), to establish changes in nutritional status that may occur following
adaptive food avoidance behaviors. Recruitment was consecutive. Analytical data were
collected through the Orion system and through direct interviews with patients with
dynamometry, weight, and height measurements. PubMed and UpToDate databases
were used as research engines for the literature search. SPSS v 27.0 sotware was used
for statistical analysis.
Results: 4 (40%) patients were found to have a normal nutritional status, 5 (50%) were
at risk of malnutrition, and only 1 (10%) had malnutrition. The sample consisted of 2
men (20%) and 8 women (80%), with an average age of 60.5 years. Regarding
comorbidiWes, 7 (70%) had anxiety and 6 (60%) fibromyalgia. According to the body mass
index (BMI), 1 (10%) paWent was underweight, 3 (30%) had a normal weight, 5 (50%)
were overweight, and 1 (10%) was obese. The MUST scale was also applied for
malnutrition screening: 6 (60%) patients were at low risk, 2 (20%) at intermediate risk,
and 2 (20%) at high risk. With the CONUT index, scores indicating normal nutrition were
observed in 9 (90%) patients. As for sarcopenia, according to the SARC-F questionnaire,
8 (80%) had a normal score, and 2 (20%) had a positive screening. Grip strength was
measured by dynamometry, where cutoff points for dynapenia were established as
scores below the 5th or 10th percentile of the appropriate population mean for age and
sex. In this case, 10 (100%) of the patients obtained values above the 10th percentile
when comparing the data with the Spanish population considering all age ranges.
Conclusions: Most of the patients with MCS studied, despite taking avoidance measures
including dietary ones, were not malnourished, although they were at risk of developing
it. Among the different methods of nutritional assessment, the MNA-SF seems to be the most suitable as a screening method. Sarcopenia does not seem to impact patients with
MCS.
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