Evaluation nutritional status and anthropometric parameters in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatitis B continues to be a major health problem around the world. 257 million people are estimated to be chronically infected with hepatitis B worldwide. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients are likely to develop various comorbidities, including diabetes, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and obesity. Proper nutrition is essential for the management of both hepatitis B and its associated comorbidities. 
 Material and Method: The study was completed a total of 105 patients. The universe of the study comprised of CHB patients who were admitted to the nutrition and dietetics outpatient clinic of a public hospital in Turkey between 1 October 2019 and 31 December 2019. Biochemical and ultrasound results, anthropometric measures, demographic characteristics, dietary habits, and 1-day food records were retrospectively recorded from patient files. 
 Results: Female patients were more likely to consume 2 main meals per day (57.8%) whereas most male subjects (75.6%) consumed 3 meals. Both female and male patients had above-normal Body Mass Index (BMI) (31.2 kg/m2 and 29.2 kg/m2, respectively), and they also had high dietary fat (%) and cholesterol consumption than recommendation. In addition, males had borderline The fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, and both sexes were at risk for abdominal obesity. Dietary carbohydrate, fiber, B1, B6, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus intake were higher in males than in females. 
 Conclusion: This study was found on above-normal BMI values, and high dietary fat (%), and cholesterol consumption in both males and females. Moreover, males had borderline FBG, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, and both sexes were at risk for abdominal obesity. In the setting of CHB, it is crucial to maintain an adequate and balanced diet to control body weight, prevent nutritional disorders, protect the liver, and improve overall well-being. More comprehensive studies are needed to better understand the link between nutrition and hepatitis B.