Professional paper

ANALYSIS OF NUTRITIONAL RISKS IN MULITPLE SCLEROSIS PATIENTS

Sara Ćuk orcid.org/0009-0000-1964-0647 ; University of Mostar, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Technology, Biskupa Čule bb, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Lorena Šmic ; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Food Technology Osijek, Franje Kuhača 18, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Ines Banjari orcid.org/0000-0002-8680-5007 ; University of Mostar, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Technology, Biskupa Čule bb, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Food Technology Osijek, Franje Kuhača 18, 31000 Osijek, Croatia *
Svetlana Tomić ; Clinical Hospital Centre Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Tea Mirošević Zubonja ; Clinical Hospital Centre Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune, inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system that affects various functional structures and significantly impairs the quality of life of patients. The manifestation and progression of the disease, in addition to genetic predisposition, can be influenced by lifestyle factors, including diet and general nutritional status.The aim of this study was to assess nutritional risks in patients with MS including nutritional status, risk of dysphagia, and eating habits.The study involved ten subjects aged 20 to 67, nine of whom were female. Most had relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), with disease duration ranging from 1 to 21 years. According to Body Mass Index, none were underweight, while 2/10 were classified as obese. Based on the EDSS scale, half of the patients had some degree of disability. Diet quality significantly deviates from the guidelines for MS; 4/10 skip meals, rarely consume fish and nuts. The risk of dysphagia, which increases the risk of malnutrition, according to the DYMUS questionnaire was determined in 6/10 respondents, one of whom is at high risk.The results show that patients need targeted individual nutritional education in order to support neurological function, immune response and achieve better control of MS.

Keywords

multiple sclerosis; nutritional risks; EDSS scale; DYMUS questionnaire

Hrčak ID:

342918

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/342918

Publication date:

31.12.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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