Question

explain the effect of inflammation on visceral proteins and how it may impact the clinicians ability to diagnose malnutrition. what lab values may confirm the presence of inflammation

Answer 1

Malnutrition can be defined as inadequate intake of protein and other forms of nutrition as demanded by body which results in muscle loss, weight loss and other physiological effects.

Malnutrition is one of the major concerning health issue.

Visceral protein levels in the body like albumin, prealbumin, tranferrin are important markers of protein malnutrition.

Visceral protein plasma levels reflect hepatic synthesis of visceral proteins in response to nutrient supply and thus helps determine the nutritional status.

But in cases of acute inflammation, liver starts synthesising  inflammatory proteins proteins which inhibits visceral proteins synthesis. This results in variation of nutritional status based on visceral protein levels. This may lead to misdiagnosis of malnutrition.

During inflammation, inflammatory proteins increase in body like C reactive protein and other cytokines. So the lab results indicating increased serum concentration of acute phase proteins like c reactive protein, interleukines, ferritin, ceruloplasmin indicates inflammation. Also lab resultsshowing reduced visceral proteins like albumin, prealbumin, transferrin, retinol binding protein indicates inflammation.