Background and aim: Recent surveys suggest a change in nutritional status of population in Kerala along with a steep rise in alcoholism. We aimed to conduct a comprehensive assessment of anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and dietary parameters and study the association of nutritional status with dietary intake.
Methods: We compared the nutrient intake of a cohort of patients with chronic pancreatitis with a recent population survey. We also sought to compare the prevalent nutritional status of patients with previous series.
Results: Chronic pancreatitis patients had poor intake of most nutrients. However, severe malnutrition is present only in a small minority (4%) as compared to previous series. Fat intake in patients with tropical chronic pancreatitis was significantly lower in alcoholic chronic pancreatitis patients (27.5g/d vs. 43g/d).
Conclusions: Malnutrition remains an important problem in chronic pancreatitis; however severe malnutrition is rare as compared to previous series. Energy (calorie) deprivation and micronutrient deficiency are major nutritional issues. Use of additional anthropometric parameters, especially triceps skin fold thickness, in conjunction with body mass index, is helpful. Subjective global assessment is a useful method for assessment for nutritional status in chronic pancreatitis patients.