Evidence for medium chain triglycerides in the treatment of primary intestinal lymphangiectasia.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) in managing symptoms and reducing mortality in patients with primary intestinal lymphangiectasia.
Results Summary
The study found that 63% of patients treated with MCT had complete resolution of symptoms compared to 35.7% in the non-MCT group, and mortality was lower in the MCT group (3.7% vs. 17.85%). The MCT diet improved symptoms and reduced mortality but was not curative in all cases.
Population
Pediatric and adult patients with primary intestinal lymphangiectasia.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
medium chain triglycerides (MCT) diet | decrease | symptoms | patients with primary intestinal lymphangiectasia | 63% | complete resolution of symptoms | #1 |
medium chain triglycerides (MCT) diet | decrease | mortality | patients with primary intestinal lymphangiectasia | 3.7% | reduces mortality | #2 |
no MCT treatment | decrease | symptoms | patients with primary intestinal lymphangiectasia | 35.7% | complete resolution of symptoms | #3 |
no MCT treatment | increase | mortality | patients with primary intestinal lymphangiectasia | 17.85% | mortality | #4 |
MCT diet | decrease | symptoms of primary intestinal lymphangiectasia | paediatric age group | - | improve the symptoms | #5 |
UNLABELLED: Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia is an uncommon congenital anomaly. It is an intrinsic abnormality of the intestinal lymphatics system. Over the years, various treatment options such as diuretics, albumin transfusions and a medium chain triglycerides (MCT) diet as well as surgical options such as resection of isolated segments and peritoneal-venous shunts have been used. An MCT diet, which is a low fat, high protein diet, is increasingly used in the management of this anomaly. AIM: The aim was to review the evidence for medium chain triglycerides as a therapeutic option in patients with primary intestinal lymphangiectasia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A literature search was performed and individual case details were extracted. We found 55 cases, of which 3 were from our own institute. The cases were divided in 2 groups: Group A (n=27) consisted of patients treated with MCT, and Group B (n=28) consisted patients not treated with MCT. Cases were analysed for symptomatic response to MCT as well as mortality. RESULTS: 17 of 27 cases (63%) treated with MCT had complete resolution of symptoms while only 10 of 28 (35.7%) patients in group B showed complete resolution. Mortality for Group A was 1 out of 27 (3.7%), while mortality in group B was 5 of 28 (17.85%) patients. CONCLUSION: We conclude that, although an MCT diet is not completely curative in all cases, it does improve the symptoms of primary intestinal lymphangiectasia and reduces mortality. Hence it is a valid option in the paediatric age group.