296 Clinical effect of zinc (Zn) supplements in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients (original) (raw)

2006, Journal of Cystic Fibrosis

Introduction: CF patients have higher requirements for fat-soluble vitamins (vit A, D, E, and K) than healthy men and women. European CF guidelines recommend doctors to subscribe supplements of these vitamins. Aim of the study: To assess the intake of fat-soluble vitamins in adult CF patients registered at CF Center Utrecht. Subjects and Methods: We invited 111 out-clinic patients to take part in a telephone survey by a dietitian to assess type, frequency, dosage, duration and prescriber of the supplements. Results: Of the 93 respondents (age 28±8 years, 52 men), 75 (81%) used vitamin and/or mineral supplements. Fat-soluble vitamins as mono-supplements were exclusively used on prescription and had been used for >1 year. Thirty (40%) patients used vit A, 32 (43%) vit D, 51 (68%) vit E, and 23 (31%) vit K. Multivitamins were an important source of vitamins A, D, E and were used by 36 patients. The mean (range) intake from mono+multivitamin supplements was 492 (26 1212) gg/d of vit A, 5.9 (0.7 21) gg/d ofvit D, 99 (5 600) mg/d ofvit E, and 63.7 (0.7 1500) gg/d ofvit K. Discussion: We did not collect data on vitamin intake from food and on serum values. Thus, no conclusion on the vitamin status of the patients could be drawn. Conclusion: Most patients used supplemental vitamins A, D, E and K, mainly on prescription. Recommended supplement use was met by only 12% of the patients for vit A, 27% for vit D, 55% for vit E and 45% for vit K. Moreover, even in supplement users the intake of vitamins was below the recommendations in the majority of patients. Thus, doctors and dieticians should be more alert on vitamin supplementation. A yearly check of serum vitamin levels is recommended in CF patients.