Body composition in Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 and 10 patients: Comparative study with control group.

Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a group of neurodegenerative genetic diseases characterized by movement disorders that can affect nutritional status and body composition. This study sought to assess body composition in SCA3 and SCA10 patients. Anthropometric assessments and bioelectric impedance analysis were performed in 46 SCA3 and SCA10 patients and 76 controls of both genders. Of the patients, 69.6% had SCA3 and 58.7% were women. SCA3 patients had significantly lower percentages of body fat (%BF) than controls (15.0 ± 6.1 vs. 20.6 ± 7.1; =0.014) and (22.4 ± 6.9 vs. 30.1 ± 6.0; <0.001), respectively. Among the women, there was a statistically significant difference in %BF between SCA3 and SCA10 patients (22.4 ± 6.9 vs. 32.4 ± 4.9; <0.001). Male and female SCA3 patients had significantly lower fat-free mass (FFM) than controls [50.6 kg (46.9-54.7) vs. 58.6 kg (52.6-63.9); =0.001] and [38.2 kg (35.1-42.6) vs. 42.8 kg (39.7-46.1); =0.004], respectively. Male SCA10 patients also had lower FFM than controls [51.2 kg (47.1-55.4) vs. (52.6-63.9); =0.008]. Female SCA10 patients had significantly higher FFM than controls and SCA3 patients [45.0 kg (43.3-45.6) vs. 42.8 kg (39.7-46.1); =0.004] and [45.0 kg (43.3-45.6) vs. 38.2 kg (35.1-42.6); =0.004], respectively. There was moderate correlation (-0.42) between disease duration and muscle mass (MM), and weak (-0.38) between SARA (Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia) and MM in SCA3. In SCA10, there was no significant correlation between these variables. Female SCA3 patients had more body composition changes than female SCA10 patients, mainly in relation to FFM. SCA3 and SCA10 patients need nutritional follow-up to minimize body compartment changes.