Introduction:

Systemic sclerosis is a chronic disease of unknown etiology, characterized by tissue fibrosis, vascular dysfunction and autoimmunity. Among other symptoms, gastrointestinal disturbances are responsible for the risk of malnutrition. In this sense, the evaluation of body composition is fundamental.

Objective:

To characterize the body composition of patients with systemic sclerosis.

Methods:

A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in patients assisted in the protocolized consultation of the Rheumatology Service of Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras. The sample was made up of 90 patients with confirmed diagnosis of systemic sclerosis who were treated from 2019 to 2021.

Results:

Diffuse form predominated in these patients as the clinical manifestations. It was observed that the longer the evolution, the more gastrointestinal alterations and digital ulcers were presented. More than half of the patients were overweight or obese, as high and very high values of body fat were found. The higher the body mass index, the higher the values of body fat, visceral fat and lower lean mass. Patients with low body mass index had significant tendency to present gastrointestinal alterations and no differences were found in the percentages of visceral fat or body fat. However, the percentage of lean mass was significantly lower.

Conclusions:

The early and detailed identification of this disease was characterized to reduce mortality and improve the prognosis of these patients through the analysis of body composition.

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