Avaliação do estado nutricional e concentrações séricas de vitamina C em pacientes com hepatites infecciosas

Abstract

Introduction: hepatitis B and C are major causes of liver cancer and cirrhosis and the main reason for indication of liver transplantation. The assessment of nutritional status is important in these patients. Some studies reported a decrease in vitamin C serum levels in patients with inflammatory response associated with infection. Little is known about the nutritional status and vitamin C serum levels in patients with chronic hepatitis. Our goal was to assess the nutritional status of patients with infectious hepatitis and to determine the of vitamin C serum levels in these patients. Material and Methods: 79 patients with hepatitis B (n = 16) and C (n = 63) were studied. Nutritional status was assess by anthropometrics, bioelectric impedance and food consumption; besides serum vitamin C and liver function tests were evaluated. Results: 54.43% had overweight and obesity. Food intake showed consumption of a diet with fat high levels. Vitamin C serum levels were within the normal range (0.42 ± 0.08mg/dL), while alanine aminotransferase (ALT) showed significantly higher serum levels in obese patients when compared with no obese patients (55±42 U/L; 32±22 U/L, respectively – p<0.05). The C-reactive protein (CRP) serum levels were higher in obese patients when compared to non-obese patients (p=0.01). Conclusion: We conclude that patients with infectious hepatitis have normal concentrations of vitamin C, whether obese or not.