H35 Measuring body composition changes in huntington’s disease

Background Involuntary weight loss and malnutrition is a well-known and frequent outcome in patients with HD. Nowadays the therapy of a dietitian during or after a period of involuntary weight loss is focused on gaining weight by increasing calorie intake. Finally to achieve a reference Body Mass Index (BMI) between 23–28. In fact, the BMI range does not include the body composition, which includes the fat free mass and fat mass. A low fat free mass is for example associated with a higher mortality. Aim The aim of this study is therefore to create a better insight into the body composition changes of HD patients. Methods Fifty patients with HD will be included. The following aspects will be measured four times in one year: Bioelectrical impedance Analyses Nutritional history Calculation of energy requirement based on the Harris and Benedict formula Body Mass Index Length measurement based on knee height, Hand grip strength Calculation nutritional intake Phase of the disease Results The outcomes of this study are not known at this moment, but can be used to describe what changes occur in the body composition of HD patients during one year. Conclusion This study gives a better insight into the body composition changes in HD patients. This will be the first step to analyze what changes occur. This study makes it also possible to design a better balanced diet focusing on maintaining fat free mass.