Proceedings of the 25th BCTRIMS Annual Meeting

Background: The environmental risk factors of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are not fully understood. Some evidence suggests the possible protective effects of antioxidants on progression of disease. Objective: To analyze the Total Dietary Antioxidant Capacity (TDAC) and its relationship with the clinical and nutritional status of people with NMOSD. Methods: This cross-sectional study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Hospital Geral de Fortaleza (Nº. 365.222). 37 patients with NMOSD with definite diagnosis were included in this investigation. Data on demographic, clinical, and anthropometric characteristics were collected. We evaluated the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, Body Mass Index (BMI) and percentage of Body Fat (BF%) that was calculated by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Two 24-hour dietary recalls were obtained, and TDAC was estimated using the ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP). Variables were expressed as simple frequencies, percentages, means, medians, and standard deviations. The normality of the data was verified by the test of Shapiro-Wilk. To compare means, the test used was of Mann-Whitney test (p<0.05). Results: The average age was 41.9 ± 13.5 years, there were a predominance of females, 33 of 37 (89.2%). Recarding to family income, 74,3% of patients reported receiving 1-3 minimum wages, while 75.7% had more than 8 years of education, and 78.4% had no professional occupation. According to the BMI, overweight/obesity is prevalent (59.5%), but BF% was normal in (67.6% %). The median score of EDSS was 3.0. The TDAC had a median of 3.7mmol/1000kcal, characterizing a diet low in antioxidant nutrients. There were no association between TDAC and EDSS (p=0,775), TDAC and BMI (p=0,322) e TDAC and BF% (p=0,231). Conclusion: Low consumption of antioxidant nutrients was not associated with clinical conditions or nutritional status.