Attitudes and knowledge of dietitian practice among a representative sample of Israeli adults.

Background: There is confusion among members of the general public regarding the role of dietitians in healthcare. Little is known about public attitudes towards dietitians among the general public in Israel. Objectives: The present study aims to identify beliefs and attitudes about dietitians in clinical practice held by a representative sample of Israeli adults. Methods: The present cross-sectional survey was conducted online. Results: A total of 402 Israeli adults participated. The majority of respondents indicated that dietitians perform nutrition consultations and weight loss counselling. More than half of respondents knew that dietitians have at least a bachelor's degree, but more than one third thought the degree was in alternative medicine. The majority of respondents ranked dietitians as the healthcare professionals with the greatest knowledge of human nutrition. Approximately have of respondents had been previously treated by a dietitian, and these people were more likely indicate the importance of nutrition care in treating chronic disease; further, they stated that dietitians utilize biochemical, anthropometric and other data in order to personalize nutrition care. In logistic regression analyses of specific dietitian roles, prior treatment by a dietitian emerged as a robust predictor of the role of the dietitian in healthcare. Discussion: Respondents identified dietitians as the professionals with the most knowledge of nutrition and the clinicians with whom they would most likely consult if they desired to change their eating habits.

A multifaceted training tool to reduce weight bias among healthcare students: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Weight bias toward people with obesity (PwO) is common in healthcare settings. Efforts to address weight bias in healthcare settings should begin during university studies. This study aimed to explore the effect of a multifaceted intervention on weight bias among undergraduate healthcare students. METHODS: An open label randomized controlled trial. The intervention tool consisted of short video lectures on obesity, vignettes simulating interactions between health professionals and PwO, and open discourse with a PwO. The control group received a short-written document on obesity. Online questionnaires on Anti-Fat Attitudes ('AFA'), short form of the Fat-Phobia Scale ('FPS'), Weight Implicit Association Test ('Weight-IAT'), and knowledge about obesity were administered at baseline, 1-week, and 6-week post-intervention. RESULTS: A total of 162, 152, and 146 students participated in the study at baseline, 1-week, and 6-week post-intervention, respectively. Their mean age was 25.8 ± 6.7 years and 88.3% were women. Means of AFA total scores and FPS scores decreased significantly over time only within the intervention group (P Time*Group = 0.002 and 0.014). Both groups showed a similar trend over time in mean scores of Weight-IAT (P Time*Group = 0.868) and knowledge about obesity (P Time*Group = 0.115). CONCLUSIONS: A multifaceted intervention resulted in a significant reduction in explicit weight bias but did not yield any additional advantages over the control group in implicit weight bias and knowledge about obesity. GOV NUMBER: NCT05482802.

The Effect of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy on Prognosis of Patients at Risk of Malnutrition.

BACKGROUND: Despite its wide use, evidence is inconclusive regarding the effect of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in patients with chronic diseases and dementia among hospitalized patients with malnutrition. OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of PEG insertion on prognosis after the procedure. METHODS: This retrospective analysis of medical records included all adult patients who underwent PEG insertion between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2013 during their hospitalization. For each PEG patient, two controls similar in age, sex, referring department, and underlying condition were randomly selected from the entire dataset of patients admitted. The effect of PEG on mortality and repeated admissions was examined. RESULTS: The study comprised 154 patients, 49 referred for PEG insertion and 105 controls (mean age 74.8 ± 19.8 years; 72.7% females; 78.6% admitted to internal medicine units). Compared to controls, the PEG group had a higher 2-year mortality rate (59.2% vs. 17.1%, P < 0.001) but the 2-year readmission rate did not differ significantly (44.9% vs. 56.2% respectively, P = 0.191). Regression analysis showed PEG was associated with increased risk of the composite endpoint of death or readmission (hazard ratio 1.514, 95% confidence interval 1.016-2.255, P = 0.041). No specific characteristic of admission was associated with increased likelihood of death or readmission. Among readmitted patients, reasons for admission and baseline laboratory data, including albumin and cholesterol, did not differ between the PEG patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: In-hospital PEG insertion was associated with increased mortality at 2 years but had no effect on readmissions.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Malnutrition and In-Hospital Death in Adults Hospitalized with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition and increased malnutrition risk are frequently identified in hospitalized adults. The increase in hospitalization rates during the COVID-19 pandemic was accompanied by the documentation of adverse hospitalization outcomes in the presence of certain co-morbidities, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. It was not clear whether the presence of malnutrition increased in-hospital death in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the effect of malnutrition on in-hospital mortality in adults hospitalized with COVID-19; and secondarily, to estimate the prevalence of malnutrition in adults hospitalized with malnutrition during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Collaboration databases were queried using the search terms malnutrition and COVID-19 and hospitalized adults and mortality. Studies were reviewed using the 14-question Quality Assessment Tool for Studies with Diverse Designs (QATSDD) (questions appropriate for quantitative studies). Author names; date of publication; country; sample size; malnutrition prevalence; malnutrition screening/diagnostic method; number of deaths in malnourished patients; and number of deaths in adequately nourished patients were extracted. Data were analyzed using MedCalc software v20.210 (Ostend, Belgium). The Q and I2 tests were calculated; a forest plot was generated, and the pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated using the random effects model. RESULTS: Of the 90 studies identified, 12 were finally included in the meta-analysis. In the random effects model, malnutrition or increased malnutrition risk increased odds of in-hospital death by more than three-fold: OR 3.43 (95% CI 2.549-4.60), p < 0.001. The pooled prevalence estimate for malnutrition or increased malnutrition risk was 52.61% (95% CI 29.50-75.14%). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: It is clear that malnutrition is an ominous prognostic sign in patients hospitalized with COVID. This meta-analysis, which included studies from nine countries on four continents with data from 354,332 patients, is generalizable.

Changes in Serum Creatinine May Cause Hypoglycemia among Non-Critically Ill Patients Admitted to Internal Medicine Units.

Background: The association between changes in serum creatinine levels and hypoglycemia during hospitalization was investigated. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of medical charts. Patients were categorized as having significant change in creatinine (SCIC) when serum creatinine levels rose or dropped ≥ 0.3 mg/dL from admission values at any time during their hospitalization. Patients were considered hypoglycemic if they had at least one documented glucose level ≤ 70 mg/dL during the hospitalization. Multiple logistic, linear and Cox regression analyses were used to ascertain the association between incident SCIC, severity and timing with incident hypoglycemia. Results: Included were 25,400 (mean age 69.9 ± 18.0, 49.3% were males). The rate of SCIC was 22.2%, and 62.2% of them were diagnosed upon admission. Patients with SCIC had a higher incidence of hypoglycemia compared to patients without (13.1% vs. 4.1%, respectively, p < 0.001). Patients with SCIC had an increased risk of hypoglycemia (OR 1.853, 95% CI 1.586−2.166, p < 0.001). The magnitude of SCIC was associated with the incidence (OR 1.316, 95% CI 1.197−1.447, p < 0.001) and the number of events (HR 0.054, 95% CI 0.021−0.087, p = 0.001). More than 60% of patients with hypoglycemia had their first event documented during days 0−6 after SCIC occurrence. Of those, the majority of events occurred on day 0−1, and the rate showed a gradual decrease throughout the first 5 days from SCIC occurrence. The results were similar for patients with and without DM. Conclusions: Changes in creatinine during hospitalization may cause hypoglycemia among patients admitted to internal medicine departments, regardless of DM status.

Outcomes of ICU patients treated with intravenous immunoglobulin for sepsis or autoimmune diseases.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcomes of hospitalized patients in two intensive care units (ICU) treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) added to standard-of-care therapy. The indications for IVIg therapy were sepsis or autoimmune disease. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study involving adult patients with sepsis and autoimmune diseases, who received IVIg in the ICU at Wolfson and Sheba Medical Centers. A predefined chart was compiled on Excel to include a complete demographic collection, patient comorbidities, chronic medication use, disease severity scores (Charlson Comorbidity Index; SOFA and APACHE II index scores), indication and dosage of IVIg administration, duration of hospitalization and mortality rates. RESULTS: Patients (n - 111) were divided into 2 groups: patients with sepsis only (n-67) and patients with autoimmune disease only (n-44). Septic patients had a shorter ICU stay, received IVIg early, and had reduced mortality if treated with high dose IVIg. Patients with autoimmune diseases did not have a favorable outcome despite IVIg treatment. In this group, IVIg was administered later than in the sepsis group. CONCLUSIONS: IVIg therapy improved the outcomes for ICU patients with sepsis.

Alcohol Drinks Induce Acute Lowering in Circulating l-Arginine in Obese and Type 2 Diabetic Subjects.

Since low serum l-arginine (Arg) and high asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) can predict microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), we tested whether Arg and ADMA are affected by diet and physical activity in overweight/obese and T2DM subjects. We tested the effects on serum Arg and ADMA of single loads of dextrose, protein, fat, or alcohol (∼300 calories each); one episode of physical exercise; and 12 weeks of standard lifestyle modification (dietary and physical activity counseling). Alcohol drink was followed by ∼30% lowering in Arg. Arg and ADMA increased after a protein load but remained stable after glucose or fat load or 30 min of treadmill walk. Following 12 weeks of lifestyle modification, ADMA declined only in subjects achieving weight loss >5%. In conclusion, alcohol is a previously unrecognized acute suppressor of serum Arg. Lifestyle modification lowers ADMA in subjects who achieve weight loss >5%. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT04406402.

The Effect of an Education Module to Reduce Weight Bias among Medical Centers Employees: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Weight bias, stigma, and discrimination are common among healthcare professionals. We aimed to evaluate whether an online education module affects weight bias and knowledge about obesity in a private medical center setting. METHODS: An open-label randomized controlled trial was conducted among all employees of a chain of private medical centers in Israel (n = 3,290). Employees who confirmed their consent to participate in the study were randomized into intervention or control (i.e., "no intervention") arms. The study intervention was an online 15-min educational module that included obesity, weight bias, stigma, and discrimination information. Questionnaires on Anti-Fat Attitudes (AFA), fat-phobia scale (F-scale), and beliefs about the causes of obesity were answered at baseline (i.e., right before the intervention), 7 days, and 30 days post-intervention. RESULTS: A total of 506, 230, and 145 employees responded to the baseline, 7-day, and 30-day post-intervention questionnaires, respectively. Mean participant age was 43.3 ± 11.6 years, 84.6% were women, and 67.4% held an academic degree. Mean F-scale scores and percentage of participants with above-average fat-phobic attitudes (≥3.6) significantly decreased only within the intervention group over time (p ≤ 0.042). However, no significant differences between groups over time were observed for AFA scores or factors beliefs to cause obesity. CONCLUSIONS: A single exposure to an online education module on weight bias and knowledge about obesity may confer only a modest short-term improvement in medical center employees' fat-phobic attitudes toward people with obesity. Future studies should examine if reexposure to such intervention could impact weight bias, stigma, and discrimination among medical center staff in the long-term.

Association between estimated GFR and incident hypoglycaemia during hospitalization.

BACKGROUND: Kidney function is a significant factor associated with increased incidence of hypoglycaemia, especially among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). We here quantified the association between elevated creatinine and incident hypoglycaemia among patients admitted to internal medicine departments, with and without DM. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort analysis study. Included were all patients discharged from internal medicine units between 2010 and 2013. Patients were excluded if creatinine levels rose or dropped more than 0.3 mg/dL during hospitalization. The CKD-EPI equation was used to calculate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Logistic regression analysis (backward LR method) was used to study the association between eGFR and hypoglycaemia incidence. RESULTS: Included were 39 316 patients (mean age 68.0 ± 18.0 years, 49.3% males, 25.9% with DM, eGFR 69.5 ± 24.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 ). Among study participants, 6.5% had at least one hypoglycaemic event. Logistic regression modelling showed that eGFR was inversely associated with incident hypoglycaemia (OR 0.988, 95% CI 0.986-0.990, p < .001). Results were similar for patients with and without DM. Estimated GFR was negatively correlated with admission CRP levels for patients with (r = -.143, p < .001) and without DM (r = -.166, p < .001). Estimated GFR was also positively correlated with admission serum albumin levels for both patients with (r = .304, p < .001) and without DM (r = .354, p < .001). CONCLUSION: Among non-critically-ill patients hospitalized in internal medicine departments, reduced eGFR is associated with increased risk of hypoglycaemia. Glucose monitoring for all inpatients with CKD is suggested, regardless of DM status.

Dietary changes and anxiety during the coronavirus pandemic: a multinational survey.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The 2020 global coronavirus pandemic is characterized by increased anxiety. Anxiety has been associated with poor diet quality and weight gain, which may lead to obesity, a risk factor for adverse COVID-19 outcomes. The present study was designed to examine associations between diet quality and anxiety levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional, international online study was conducted between March 30 and April 25, 2020 and available in seven languages: Arabic (7.6%), English (43.7%), French (0.8%), Hebrew (42.1%), Italian (3%), Russian (1.1%), and Spanish (1.6%). Diet quality was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Score (possible range: 0-17 points) and anxiety scored using the General Anxiety Disorder 7-point scale (GAD-7). The Google Survey platform was used to conduct the survey. RESULTS: A total of 3797 persons were included in the present analysis. More than 75% of respondents were female; most completed the survey in English or Hebrew. Median age was 31 (IQ = 18) years. Almost 60% indicated that their pre-pandemic diet was healthier than their current diet. The median Mediterranean diet score was 9 (IQ = 3). The majority (54%) of participants reported at least mild anxiety, while 25% reported moderate anxiety or more severe. In a logistic regression model of at least moderate anxiety, Mediterranean diet score (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.89-0.95, p < 0.0001) reduced odds of elevated anxiety, even after controlling for age, sex and other variables. CONCLUSIONS: Though causality cannot be inferred, associations between diet quality and anxiety might suggest public health interventions including diet and stress control during future mass lockdowns.

Dietary Patterns among Adolescents Are Associated with Growth, Socioeconomic Features, and Health-Related Behaviors.

Dietary patterns (DPs), usually established in adolescents, are important modifiable risk factors in the etiology of malnutrition and chronic diseases. This study aimed to identify DPs of adolescents and examine their associations with growth, sociodemographic, and lifestyle characteristics. A nationally representative, school-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in Israeli adolescents aged 11-18 years during 2015-2016. A self-administered survey queried sociodemographics, health behaviors, and diet. Weight and height were measured, and WHO height z-scores and BMI cutoffs were calculated. Food frequency questionnaire data were analyzed using principal components analysis (PCA) to identify DPs. Associations between growth, lifestyle, and sociodemographic characteristics and DPs were modeled using multivariable logistic regressions. A total of 3902 adolescents (46% males, mean age 15.2 ± 1.6 years) completed the survey. PCA identified five DPs, accounting for 38.3% of the total variance. The first two prominent DPs were the 'plant-based food' DP, which was associated with the female sex, higher socioeconomic status, overweight/obesity, and healthy lifestyle and the 'junk food' DP, which was associated with lower SES, unhealthy lifestyle, and lower height z-scores. Our results elucidate major DPs that strongly correlate with lifestyle risk behaviors and suboptimal growth among adolescents. Implementing screening for DPs should be further examined to identify higher risk health factors among youth.

Dietary Changes and Anxiety during the Coronavirus Pandemic: Differences between the Sexes.

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has been associated with both increased anxiety, deterioration in diet and weight gain. These associations may differ by sex. The present report examines differences by sex in diet quality in order to determine whether associations between diet and psychological stress during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic differed by sex. This online study is available internationally in seven languages. The Mediterranean Diet Score was used to measure diet quality, while the General Anxiety Disorder 7-point scale (GAD-7) was used to measure anxiety. Findings were compared by self-reported sex (male vs. female). A total of 3797 respondents provided informed consent and met eligibility criteria, of whom 526 women were omitted due to being pregnant or six months or less post-partum, or due to reproductive status not being reported. Thus, 3271 individuals are included in the present report, of whom 71.2% were women. The median age of women was 30 (interquartile range (IQR) = 16) years vs. 31 (IQR = 19) years, p = 0.079. The median diet quality score was 9 (IQ = 3) in both women and men (p = 0.75). Despite the overall similarity in diet score, several components of the score differed significantly by sex. Women reported consuming significantly more olive oil, daily servings of vegetables, and weekly servings of sweet baked goods. Men reported consuming significantly more sweetened/carbonated drinks, red meat, alcohol, legumes, and hummus/tahini. Women reported a GAD-7 score of 6 (IQR = 8), while men reported 3 (6), p < 0.001. An inverse association was detected between the Mediterranean diet score and the GAD-7 score in both women (rho = -0.166, p < 0.001) and men (rho = -0.154, p < 0.001), and the correlation coefficients did not differ by sex (p = 0.76). Mediterranean diet score and age both reduced the odds of elevated anxiety (GAD-7 ≥ 10), while female sex, deterioration of diet quality during the outbreak, unemployment, and completing the survey in English increased the odds of this outcome. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, overall diet quality did not differ by sex; however, some differences by sex in components of the total score were detected. Moderate to severe anxiety was positively associated with female sex and poorer diet quality even after controlling for age, employment status, and the language in which the survey was performed.

Overestimation of body weight and its association with parental, teacher and peer support: evidence from the Israeli Health Behaviours in Schools survey.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between family, teachers and peer support patterns on gaps in adolescent's weight perceptions. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, school-based survey collected information on weight and height, weight perception, socio-economic and family characteristics and social support. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to capture social support patterns (SSP). Multivariable logistic regression was used to model adolescent weight perception, including SSP adjusted for demographic variables. SETTING: The 2014 Israeli Health Behaviours in School-Aged Children (HBSC) survey. PARTICIPANTS: Adolescents aged 11-18 years (n 7563). RESULTS: In total, 16·1 % of the boys and 10·7 % of the girls were overweight or obese. Most participants perceived their size accurately. Body size was underestimated by 25·6 % of the boys and 15·1 % of the girls, while 15·2 % of the boys and 27·7 % of the girls overestimated their body size. PCA generated three SSP accounting for 81·9 % of the variance in social support. Female sex and higher SES increased odds of overestimating body size. Students in the top quartile (Q4 v. Q1-Q3) of family support and teacher support were less likely to overestimate their body size. Good parental communication reduced the odds of body size overestimation in middle school students. Male sex and higher family support increased odds of underestimation. CONCLUSIONS: Significant support from parents and teachers was associated with accurate weight perceptions; thus, support skills may be amenable to intervention. Efforts should be made to educate adolescents on healthy weight.

Multinational dietary changes and anxiety during the coronavirus pandemic-findings from Israel.

BACKGROUND: Increased anxiety was frequently reported during the 2020 global COVID-19 pandemic. An association between anxiety and increased body weight has been documented. Identifying associations between diet quality and anxiety may facilitate the development of preventive dietary policy, particularly relevant since obesity appears to increase the risk of adverse COVID-19 outcomes. In this study we aim to examine associations between changes in diet pattern and body weight and anxiety levels during the COVID-19 pandemic among Israeli respondents to an international online survey. METHODS: Conducted between March 30-April 252,020, this was cross-sectional, international and online study. The questionnaire was developed and tested in Hebrew and translated into six other languages: English, Arabic, Spanish, French, Italian, and Russian. The survey was conducted on a Google Survey platform, the link to which was posted on several social media platforms. Adults aged 18 or older who saw and responded to the link on a social media site comprised the study population. RESULTS: Of the 3979 eligible respondents, 1895 indicated their current location as Israel. Most Israeli respondents completed the survey in Hebrew (83.2%) followed by Arabic (9.4%), though responses were recorded in all seven of the survey languages. The median age was 33 (IQ = 22) years, and 75.7% were female. Almost 60% indicated that their pre-pandemic diet was healthier than their current diet, and 25.2% indicated they had gained weight during the pandemic. The median Mediterranean diet score was 9 (IQ = 3). While the median General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) score was 5 (IQ = 8), only 37.3% of participants reported at least mild anxiety (a GAD-7 score of 5 or more), while 10.7% reported moderate anxiety or greater (a GAD-7 score of 10 or more). In a multivariate logistic regression model of at least mild anxiety, being male and completing the survey in Hebrew significantly reduced odds of at least mild anxiety, while a worsening of diet quality during the pandemic, weight gain, and isolation significantly increased odds of at least mild anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID pandemic, changes in nutrition quality and habits were associated with greater anxiety. These findings suggest the need for routine and continuous surveillance of the nutritional and psychological consequences of outbreaks as part of healthcare preparedness efforts. Organizations responsible for community-based health services (such as Israeli health plans) should adopt specific interventions to improve case finding and support individuals at increased risk of anxiety and declining nutrition status within primary healthcare settings. These interventions should include the provision of appropriate diagnostic instruments, training of medical staff, feedback to physicians and nurses, and raising awareness among the relevant patient population and their caregivers. Primary care physicians should refer people with high anxiety or substantial weight gain during the pandemic to appropriate mental health and dietetic treatment, as needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04353934 .

Nomenclature in nephrology: preserving 'renal' and 'nephro' in the glossary of kidney health and disease.

A recently published nomenclature by a "Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes" (KDIGO) Consensus Conference suggested that the word "kidney" should be used in medical writings instead of "renal" or "nephro" when referring to kidney disease and kidney health. Whereas the decade-old move to use "kidney" more frequently should be supported when communicating with the public-at-large, such as the World Kidney Day, or in English speaking countries in communications with patients, care-partners, and non-medical persons, our point of view is that "renal" or "nephro" should not be removed from scientific and technical writings. Instead, the terms can coexist and be used in their relevant contexts. Cardiologists use "heart" and "cardio" as appropriate such as "heart failure" and "cardiac care units" and have not replaced "cardiovascular" with "heartvessel", for instance. Likewise, in nephrology, we consider that "chronic kidney disease" and "continuous renal replacement therapy" should coexist. We suggest that in scientific writings and technical communications, the words "renal" and "nephro" and their derivatives are more appropriate and should be freely used without any pressure by medical journals to compel patients, care-partners, healthcare providers, researchers and other stakeholders to change their selected words and terminologies. We call to embrace the terms "kidney", "renal" and "nephro" as they are used in different contexts and ask that scientific and medical journals not impose terminology restrictions for kidney disease and kidney health. The choice should be at the discretion of the authors, in the different contexts including in scientific journals.

Status of Nutrition in Hemodialysis Patients Survey (SNIPS): Nutrition Intake in Obese and Overweight vs. Healthy Weight Patients.

Elevated body mass index (BMI) has been associated with improved survival and fewer hospitalizations in hemodialysis patients; however, it is not clear that dietary intake is associated with increased BMI in hemodialysis patients. The present analysis was designed to compare energy and macronutrient intake and distribution, as well as compliance with the International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism (ISRNM) dietary guidelines, by body weight status (overweight/obese vs. normal weight) in hemodialysis patients. The status of nutrition in hemodialysis patients survey (SNIPS) cohort is a cross-sectional study including a representative sample of individuals on hemodialysis treated in hospital dialysis centers throughout Israel. Of the 375 patients eligible for the current analysis, 60.1% had BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 (overweight/obese). For each participant, the following measures were recorded: dietary intake, blood biochemistry, anthropometric and hemodynamic measures. These were compared by body weight status. Compared to their normal-weight counterparts, overweight/obese hemodialysis patients did not differ by energy and macronutrient intake, distribution of these nutrients in the diet. Regardless of body weight status, hemodialysis patients have poor compliance with ISRNM dietary guidelines.

Status of Nutrition In Hemodialysis Patients Survey (SNIPS): Malnutrition risk by diabetes status.

BACKGROUND: Increased malnutrition risk has been observed in more than 40% people on haemodialysis in Israel. It is not clear that this risk is homogeneously distributed among people with versus without diabetes. OBJECTIVES: To examine the influence of diabetes on malnutrition risk among people on haemodialysis. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included a representative sample of 375 individuals on haemodialysis treated in hospital dialysis centres throughout Israel. Of these, 126 had diabetes. Dietary intake, biochemistry, anthropometric and hemodynamic measures were recorded. Malnutrition risk categories were defined: "minimal": body mass index (BMI) ≥23 kg/m2 and serum albumin ≥38 mmol/L; "mild": BMI <23 kg/m2 and albumin ≥38 mmol/L; "moderate": BMI ≥23 kg/m2 and albumin <38 mmol/L; "severe": BMI<23 k/m2 and serum albumin <38 mmol/L. These categories were dichotomized to "minimal" versus elevated malnutrition risk. RESULTS: Despite greater BMI, elevated malnutrition risk was identified in 58.8% of individuals with versus 39.3% without diabetes. Adherence to International Society for Renal Nutrition and Metabolism nutrition guidelines was poor regardless of diabetes status. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, diabetes: OR 2.15; C-reactive protein (nmol/L): OR 1.02; delivered dialysis dose (Kt/V): OR 6.07; and haemoglobin (g/L): OR 0.79, predicted elevated malnutrition risk, even after controlling for age, sex and years on haemodialysis. DISCUSSION: Individuals on haemodialysis who have diabetes have elevated malnutrition risk compared to those without diabetes despite greater BMI.

Virtual nutrition consultation: what can we learn from the COVID-19 pandemic?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the extent, quality and challenges of dietetic counselling during the pandemic. DESIGN: A cross-sectional online thirty-six-item Google Survey. The survey queried demographics and information on usage and perceived telemedicine quality. SETTING: The survey was distributed to Israeli Dietetic Association (ATID) mailing list between 31 March and 5 May 2020. PARTICIPANTS: Clinical dietitians, members of ATID, who consented to participated in the survey. RESULTS: Three hundred dietitians (12 % of ATID members; 95 % women; mean age 4·41 (sd 10·2) years) replied to the survey. Most dietitians reported a significant ∼30 % decrease in work hours due to the pandemic. The most prevalent form of alternative nutrition counselling (ANC) was over the phone (72 %); 53·5 % used online platforms. Nearly 45 % had no former ANC experience. Both ANC formats were reported inferior to face-to-face nutritional consultation (consultation quality median scores 8 and 7, on a 1-10 scale, for online and phone, respectively). ANC difficulties on either phone or online platforms were technical (56 and 47 %, respectively), lack of anthropometric measurements (28 and 25 %, respectively) and interpersonal communication (19 and 14·6 %, respectively). Older age and former phone counselling experience were associated with higher quality scores, respectively (OR = 1·046, 95 % CI 1·01, 1·08, P = 0·005), (95 % CI 1·38, 4·52, P = 0·02). Those who continued to work full time had five-time greater odds for a higher quality score using online platforms (OR = 5·33, 95 % CI 1·091, 14·89, P = 0·001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest telemedicine holds considerable promise for dietary consultation; however, additional tools and training are needed to optimise remote ANC, especially in light of potential crisis-induced lockdown.

Sex difference in the association between malnutrition and hypoglycemia in hospitalized patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to examine the difference between males and females regarding association between malnutrition risk and hypoglycemia through a sub-analysis of a cross-sectional study of newly admitted patients to internal medicine departments. METHODS: Malnutrition risk, assessed with Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002), and serum albumin were measured upon admission. Logistic regression was applied to men and women separately, to test the effect of malnutrition and hypoalbuminemia on incidence of hypoglycemia. RESULTS: Included were 1186 patients (50.4% males, 39.2% with positive NRS2002). Rate of positive NRS2002 was similar across sexes (36.5% vs. 41.2% in males and females respectively, P=0.204). Among females, NRS2002 was associated with higher incidence of hypoglycemia (9.5% vs. 2.4% in NRS2002 negative females, P<0.001). Among males, no such difference was noted (9.2% compared to 7.1% in NRS2002 positive and negative males respectively, P=0.520). The weight loss/decreased food intake criterion of the NRS2002 was significantly higher in the hypoglycemic group within females (P=0.03). Logistic regression showed that serum albumin was inversely associated with hypoglycemia in both females (OR 0.477, 95% CI 0.282-0.806, P=0.006) and males (OR 0.532, 95% CI 0.355-0.795, P=0.002). However, increased malnutrition risk was associated with hypoglycemia only among females (OR 2.007, 95% CI 1.058-3.809, P=0.033). Diabetes status was associated with hypoglycemia (OR 1.907, 95% CI 1.056-3.445, P=0.032) only in males; this association did not occur in females. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition risk, as measured by the NRS2002, is associated with significantly increased incidence of hypoglycemia in women alone. Females who lose weight prior to hospitalization have an increased risk to develop hypoglycemia.