EVALUATION OF THE FOOD HABITS OF PATIENTS WITH GASTRITIS AND/OR RELATED SYMPTOMS ASSISTED AT A NUTRITION CLINIC ACCREDITED BY THE UNITED HEALTH SYSTEM

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.1593242331031

• Palavras-chave: Gastritis. Gastric symptoms. food habit

• Keywords: Gastritis. Gastric symptoms. food habit

• Abstract:

  Introduction: Gastritis is characterized by histological alterations of the gastric mucosa where an infiltrate of inflammatory cells is observed. This is the most common injury that affects the stomach. Inflammation can be acute or chronic, with the second form being more frequent. Gastric symptoms can be defined by a set of complaints related to the gastrointestinal tract such as heartburn, pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, vomiting, among others, whose onset or worsening may be related to several factors. Inadequate nutrition is one of the contributing factors for the development of gastritis or worsening of gastric symptoms, similar to the use of some medications, lifestyle and stress. Method: We evaluated the eating habits of patients diagnosed with gastritis and/or related symptoms who were treated at a nutrition clinic of the Unified Health System, through a retrospective review of the medical records of 133 patients from June 2011 to June 2016, which satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The 24-hour Food Recall and the Food Frequency Questionnaire were analyzed. Results: The most prevalent symptom was heartburn, present in 19.54% of patients aged 33 to 47 years. The comorbidity most frequently related to gastric discomfort was obesity, in patients aged 18 to 32 years, 20.1%. Regarding diet, most patients had habits classified as inadequate. The verified consumption pattern was sugars in 34.97%, fats in 23.3%, industrialized in 15, 73% and only 11.27% had their diet classified as adequate.  It is possible to state that inadequate nutrition contributes to the development and/or maintenance of gastritis and related symptoms.