Nutritional Status and Adequacy of Energy and Nutrient Intakes Among Heart Failure Patients

Summary: Increased knowledge about nutritional status and energy and nutrient intakes is required to improve the treatment of patients with heart failure (HF).

Objectives: To verify the nutritional status and evaluate the adequacy of energy, macronutrient and micronutrient intakes in patients with HF in outpatient clinical settings.

Methods: We collected anthropometric and habitual dietary intake data of 125 patients (72% men, 52.1 +/- 9.8 years, BMI 26.9 +/- 4.4 kg/m2). Anthropometric variables were compared between genders, and the adequacy of energy and nutrient intakes was analyzed according to current recommendations.

Results: Muscle depletion or risk of depletion was present in 38.4% of patients (association with male gender, p <0.0001). In 69.6% of cases the mean energy intake was lower than the one required (p <0.0001). Among the micronutrients evaluated in this study, there was an important prevalence of inadequacy in magnesium, zinc, iron and thiamine intakes, and most patients had calcium and potassium intakes below the adequate levels, and sodium intake above the adequate levels.

Conclusions: Outpatients with HF showed muscle depletion, and inadequate energy and nutrient intakes. There was no significant association between habitual dietary energy intake and nutritional status. Multidisciplinary care should be encouraged to better assess the general condition of these patients.