Nutritional changes in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer during treatment.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to evaluate changes in body composition and nutritional status that occur throughout the oncological treatment in head and neck cancer patients. METHODS: A prospective cohort observational study in patients diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) that underwent treatment with induction chemotherapy (iCT) followed by chemoradiotherapy or bioradiotherapy were invited to participate. All patients had dietetic counseling from the diagnosis and a close monitoring throughout the treatment implementing nutritional support as needed. RESULTS: From June 2011 until October 2012, 20 patients were included. Nutritional and anthropometric parameters were collected at diagnosis, post iCT, after radiotherapy, 1 and 3months post radiotherapy. According to Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment, 30% of patients were malnourished at diagnosis. After iCT there was an increase in weight, body mass index (BMI) and fat free mass (FFM) with almost complete improvement in dysphagia and odynophagia. Nevertheless a significant nutritional deterioration (p=0.0022) occurred at the end of radiotherapy with 95% of patients becoming severe or moderate malnourished. Nutritional parameters such as weight, BMI and hand grip strength also decrease significantly during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Despite an intensive nutritional support from the diagnosis throughout the oncological treatment in advanced HNSCC cancer patients, nutritional status deteriorates during radiotherapy. Our findings suggest that iCT may help improve nutritional status by ameliorating the symptoms that limit the oral intake. This improvement in the nutritional status could contribute to minimize further deterioration. Further investigations are needed involving novel approaches to avoid nutritional deterioration.

Impact of a supportive care service for cancer outpatients: management and reduction of hospitalizations. Preliminary results of an integrated model of care.

PURPOSE: Supportive care in oncology is a primary need for every oncology department nowadays. In 2012, in our institution, a dedicated supportive care service (SCS) was created in order to deal with any need our on-treatment patients might have (e.g. tumour-related or treatment-related symptoms). We hypothesized that this service had a positive impact on the number of unplanned hospitalizations; to confirm our hypothesis, we decided to review admission data in 2011 and 2012. METHODS: Using our internal software, we compared admission data in 2011 (that is, the year before the dedicated service was created) and 2012 (when such service began, that is April of that year). We also made an evaluation of the costs of these hospitalizations. RESULTS: Despite an increase of the number of patients treated in our day hospital (+6.5 %), the number of unplanned hospital admissions decreased by 3.2 % (from 17.3 to 14.1 %). The number of patients accessing to emergency room went from 66 to 61 % (a reduction of 5 %). The costs of these hospitalizations were reduced by 2.2 %. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of the dedicated SCS in our oncology department caused a net reduction by 3.2 % of the number of unplanned hospitalizations of on-treatment cancer patients.

Multidisciplinary cancer care may impact on the postoperative mortality and survival of patients with oesophageal and oesophagogastric junction cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Modern management of Oesophageal and oesophagogastric junction (OGJ) cancers requires a multidisciplinary approach, which was implemented at our health centre in 2005. This study aimed to assess the impact of this change on clinical outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, covering all patients treated for oesophageal and OGJ cancer at the cancer centre established by the Bellvitge University Hospital and Catalonian Institute of Oncology, over two time periods, i.e. 2000-2004 and 2005-2008. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were performed using survival at 1 and 3 years as dependent variables. RESULTS: Between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2008, 586 patients were included. Number of patients with unknown stage at diagnosis was significantly reduced. Preoperative strategies at the oesophageal location clearly increased in the recent period. A multidisciplinary approach resulted in a significant reduction in surgical mortality (11.8 vs. 2 %) in the period 2005-2008. Analysis restricted to patients undergoing surgery with curative intent indicated a significant increase in 1- and 3-year survival in the latter period (68.4 vs. 89.8 and 38.2 vs. 57.1 %, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that variables associated with improved survival were: age; tumour stage; radical intent of treatment (surgery and radical combined chemoradiotherapy); and therapeutic strategy. CONCLUSION: Better selection of patients for therapy together with improved staging resulted in a significant improvement in 1- and 3-year survival in cases undergoing surgery with curative intent. These changes would support the adoption of a multidisciplinary approach to clinical decision-making in cases of oesophageal and OGJ cancer.

Diazoxide attenuates autoimmune encephalomyelitis and modulates lymphocyte proliferation and dendritic cell functionality.

Activation of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels is postulated as an effective mechanism to confer cardio and neuroprotection, especially in situations associated to oxidative stress. Pharmacological activation of these channels inhibits glia-mediated neuroinflammation. In this way, diazoxide, an old-known mitochondrial KATP channel opener, has been proposed as an effective and safe treatment for different neurodegenerative diseases, demonstrating efficacy in different animal models, including the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for Multiple Sclerosis. Although neuroprotection and modulation of glial reactivity could alone explain the positive effects of diazoxide administration in EAE mice, little is known of its effects on the immune system and the autoimmune reaction that triggers the EAE pathology. The aim of the present work was to study the effects of diazoxide in autoimmune key processes related with EAE, such as antigen presentation and lymphocyte activation and proliferation. Results show that, although diazoxide treatment inhibited in vitro and ex-vivo lymphocyte proliferation from whole splenocytes it had no effect in isolated CD4(+) T cells. In any case, treatment had no impact in lymphocyte activation. Diazoxide can also slightly decrease CD83, CD80, CD86 and major histocompatibility complex class II expression in cultured dendritic cells, demonstrating a possible role in modulating antigen presentation. Taken together, our results indicate that diazoxide treatment attenuates autoimmune encephalomyelitis pathology without immunosuppressive effect.

[Catheter occlusion and venous thrombosis prevention and incidence in adult home parenteral nutrition (HPN) programme patients]. / Prevención e incidencia de oclusión del catéter y trombosis venosa en pacientes adultos con nutrición parenteral domiciliaria (NPD).

UNLABELLED: In adult home parenteral nutrition (HPN) programme patients up to now no evidence-based recommendations exist on the central venous catheter maintenance nor venous thrombosis prevention. The use of heparin flushes could be linked with long term complications, besides, anticoagulants use is controversial. OBJECTIVES: To be aware of the usual maintenance practice for HPN central venous catheters, catheter occlusion and related venous thrombosis incidence in our country. METHODS: Retrospective study of active HPN patients older than 18 years registered by the NADYA- SENPE working group until November 2008. RESULTS: 49 patients were registered (16 males and 33 females), with an average age of 52.1 ± 13.9 years, belonging to 6 hospitals. HPN length was 57.4 ± 73.3 months with 5.8 ± 1.8 PN days a week. The most frequent pathologies were actinic enteritis, intestinal motility disorders and mesenteric ischemia (20.4% each), and neoplasm (16.3%). The reason for HPN provision was short bowel syndrome (49.0%), and intestinal obstruction (28.6%). Neoplasm (16.3%), thrombotic diathesis, thromboembolic syndrome and bed rest (6.1% each) were the main venous thrombosis adjuvant factors. Tunnelled catheters were used in 77.6% of patients, with implanted port-catheters in the remainder. Maintenance of the line was done with saline solution flushes (28.6%) and different concentrations of heparin solutions (69.4%). When heparin was used, it was removed before PN infusion in 63.3% of patients. Catheter occlusion and venous thrombotic events rates were 0.061/10³ and 0.115/10³ HPN days respectively. Eleven patients (22.4%) were treated with anticoagulant drugs due to previous episodes of venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. CONCLUSION: [corrected] The incidence of catheter related thrombotic complications incidence is low in this group of patients on HPN. There is a great variety of practices focused on the prevention of both: line occlusion and catheter related venous thrombosis. In conclusion, it would be necessary to standardize practice.

[Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) registry in Spain for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 (NADYA-SENPE Group)]. / Registro de la Nutrición Parenteral Domiciliaria (NPD) en España de los años 2007, 2008 y 2009 (Grupo NADYA-SENPE).

OBJECTIVE: To report the data of the Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) registry of the NADYA-SENPE working group for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009. METHODOLOGY: We compiled the data from the on-line registry introduced by the responsible Units for the monitoring of HPN from January 1st 2007 to December 31st 2009. Included fields were: age, sex, diagnosis and reason for HPN, access path, complications, beginning and end dates, complementary oral or enteral nutrition, activity level, autonomy degree, product and fungible material supply, withdrawal reason and intestinal transplant indication. RESULTS: 2007: 133 patients with HPN were registered (61 males and 72 females), belonging to 21 hospitals. Average age for the 119 patients older than 13 years old was 53.7 ± 14.9 years, and 3.6 ± 3.6 y. for the 14 patients under 14 years old. Most frequent pathology was neoplasm (24%), followed by intestinal motility disorders and actinic enteritis (14% both). The reason for HPN provision was short bowel syndrome (43%), malabsorption (27%), and intestinal obstruction (23%). Tunnelled catheters were mostly used (69%), followed by implanted port-catheters (27%). Catheter related infections were the most frequent complications, with a rate of 0.92 episodes/103 HPN days. HPN was provided for more than two years in 50% of the cases. By the end of 2007, 71.4% of the patients remained active; exitus was the most frequent reason to end HPN (57.5%). 26% of the patients were eligible for intestinal transplant. 2008: 143 patients with HPN were registered (62 males and 81 females), belonging to 24 hospitals. Average age for the 133 patients older than 13 years old was 54.7 ± 13.9 years, and 3.7 ± 0.6 y. for the 10 patients under 14 years old. Most frequent pathology was neoplasm (20%), followed by actinic enteritis (14%) and intestinal motility disorders (13% ). The reason for HPN provision was short bowel syndrome (44%), malabsorption (28%), and intestinal obstruction (20%). Tunnelled catheters were mostly used (60%), followed by implanted port-catheters (29%). Catheter related infections were the most frequent complications, with a rate of 0.50 episodes/10³ HPN days. HPN was provided for more than two years in 67% of the cases. By the end of 2008, 71.6% of the patients remained active; exitus was the most frequent reason to end HPN (52.4%). 29% of the patients were eligible for intestinal transplant. 2009: 158 patients with HPN were registered (62 males and 96 females), belonging to 24 hospitals. Average age for the 149 patients older than 13 years old was 55.2 ± 13.0 years. Most frequent pathology was neoplasm (25%), followed by actinic enteritis (12%) and intestinal motility disorders (11%). The reason for HPN provision was short bowel syndrome (42%), malabsorption, and intestinal obstruction (23% both). Tunnelled catheters were mostly used (60%), followed by implanted port-catheters (36%). Catheter related infections were the most frequent complications, with a rate of 0.67 episodes/10³ HPN days. HPN was provided for more than two years in 58% of the cases. By the end of 2009, 79.2% of the patients remained active; full oral nutrition was the most frequent reason to end HPN (48%). 23% of the patients were eligible for intestinal transplant. CONCLUSIONS: We observe an increase in registered patients with respect to previous years, with a very different prevalence among regions. Neoplasia remains as the main pathology since 2003. We observe a decrease in catheter-related infections in the last two years, being the 2008 rate the smallest since the register's beginning.

[Home parenteral nutrition registry in Spain for the year 2010: NADYA-SENPE Group]. / Registro del año 2010 de nutrición parenteral domiciliaria en España: Grupo NADYA-SENPE.

OBJECTIVES: To report the Group Registry NADYASENPE data about home parenteral nutrition (HPN) in Spain in 2010. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive study of the database of the national registry of HPN of NADYA-SENPE (December 10, 2009 to December 10, 2010). For the calculation of prevalence the latest data published by the Institute National Statistics Office (01/01/2009) was used. RESULTS: There were registered 148 patients from 23 hospitals, 86 women (58.11%) and 9 children (6.08%). The average age of the 139 patients older than 14 years was 53.06 ± 15.41 years. The average duration of HPN was 316.97 days/patient. The most common diagnosis in those younger than 14 years was short bowel traumatic with 5 cases (55.55%) and in those older than 14 years, palliative care cancer with 29 cases (19.59%). The reason for the indication for HPN was short bowel syndrome in 74 cases (47%). The access via most frequently recorded was tunneled catheter in 36 cases (22.78%) followed by implanted port-catheters in 13 cases (8.23%) and other pathways in 3 cases (1.90%). There were 23 catheterrelated infections (82.14%) which represented 0.49 /1,000 days of PN, all of which occurred in cases older than 14 years. During the year 24 episodes of HPN ended, the most frequent cause was the transition to oral nutrition in 12 episodes (50%). It was reported that patients had a normal activity in 70 episodes of HPN (44.30%) with complete autonomy in 88 episodes (55.69%). Some patients 39 (24.68%) were potential candidates for intestinal transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: The number of registered patients is slightly lower than the previous year, although the number of participating hospitals is the same. The most frequent complication remains catheter-related infection but its incidence has decreased from previous years, presenting the lowest rate since the creation of the record. Differences in participation in the registry observed in the Autonomous Communities causes the development of implementation strategies. There is a gradual increase in day length of HPN over the years, which suggests the chronic treatments of some patients and obliges to study the existence of a possible confounding factor, in case there is an oversight of closing an episode. Therefore, it is necessary to update the registry with warning systems that facilitate periodic review of the patients and optimize the validity of registration.

[Transversal study on the prevalence of Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) and Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) in Spain: data from NADYA group]. / Estudio transversal sobre la prevalencia de la Enfermedad Metabólica Ósea (EMO) y Nutrición Parenteral Domiciliaria (NPD) en España: datos del Grupo NADYA.

UNLABELLED: Patients with intestinal failure who receive HPN are at high risk of developing MBD. The origin of this bone alteration is multifactorial and depends greatly on the underlying disease for which the nutritional support is required. Data on the prevalence of this disease in our environment is lacking, so NADYA-SEMPE group has sponsored this transversal study with the aim of knowing the actual MBD prevalence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective data from 51 patients from 13 hospitals were collected. The questionnaire included demographic data as well as the most clinically relevant for MBD data. Laboratory data (calciuria, PTH, 25 -OH -vitamin D) and the results from the first and last bone densitometry were also registered. RESULTS: Bone mineral density had only been assessed by densitometry in 21 patients at the moment HPN was started. Bone quality is already altered before HPN in a significant percentage of cases (52%). After a mean follow up of 6 years, this percentage increases up to 81%. Due to retrospective nature of the study and the low number of subjects included it has not been possible to determine the role that HPN plays in MBD etiology. Only 35% of patients have vitamin D levels above the recommended limits and the majority of them is not on specific supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: HPN is associated with very high risk of MBD, therefore, management protocols that can lead to early detection of the problem as well as guiding for follow up and treatment of these patients are needed.

[Spanish Registry of Home-based Parenteral Nutrition during 2006 (NADYA-SENPE Group)]. / Registro de la Nutrición Parenteral Domiciliaria (NPD) en España del año 2006 (Grupo NADYA-SENPE).

OBJECTIVE: To report the data of the Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) registry of the NADYA-SENPE working group for the year 2006. METHODOLOGY: We compiled the data from the on-line registry introduced by the responsible Units for the monitoring of HPN from January 1st to December 31st 2006. RESULTS: 103 patients with HPN were registered (47 males and 56 females), belonging to 19 hospitals. Average age for the 91 patients older than 14 years old was 53.3 +/- 14.9 years old, and that for the 12 patients under 14 years old was 2 +/- 0 years old. Most frequent pathology was neoplasm (29%), followed by intestinal motility disorders (13%). The reason for HPN provision was short bowel syndrome (40%), intestinal obstruction (22%), and malabsorption (21%). Tunneled catheters were mostly used (45%), followed by implanted port-catheters (32%). Catheter related infections were the most frequent complications, with a rate of 0.85 episodes / 10(3) days. HPD was provided for more than two years in 50% of the cases. By the end of 2006, 70.9% of the patients remained active; exitus was the most frequent reason to end HPN (53%). Complementary oral or enteral nutrition was provided to 52% of the patients. 48% of the patients had a normal activity level, and a 55% were autonomous. PN formula was supplied by the hospital in 82% of the cases, while this number was 78% for fungible materials. 27% of the patients were eligible for intestinal transplant. CONCLUSIONS: We observe an increase in registered patients with respect to previous years, with a very different prevalence among regions. Neoplasia remains as the main pathology since 2003. We observe a decrease in catheter-related infections with respect to the 2004-2005 period.

[Spanish registry of Home-Based Parenteral Nutrition for the years 2004 and 2005 (NADYA-SENPE Group)]. / Registro de la nutrici6n parenteral domiciliaria en España de los años 2004 y 2005 (Grupo NADYA-SENPE).

OBJECTIVE: To report the results of the Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) registry of the NADYA-SENPE working group of the years 2004 and 2005. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We summarized the data of the new on-line HPN registry of the NADYA-SENPE group for the period 2004-2005. RESULTS: During the year 2004, 70 HPN-patients (23 males and 47 females) were registered from 14 hospitals. Mean age of adults was 53,7 +/- 14,87 years (m +/- SD) and 6 +/- 2,83 years for those younger than 14 years. The most frequent etiologies of the intestinal failure were neoplasia (24%) and mesenteric ischaemia (19%). Tunnelled catheters were used in 75% of the patients. The catheter-related infections were the most frequent complications, with a rate of 0,98 episodes/10(3) days. In 69% of the cases the nutritional support was maintained for more than 2 years. HPN solutions and disposables were supplied by the hospital pharmacy in 81% and 83%, respectively. Up to 54% of the patients had a normal activity level. The most frequent reasons to end HPN treatment were the transition to oral intake (41%), or exitus (28%). During the year 2005, 79 patients (33 males and 46 females) were registered from 14 hospitals. Mean age of adults was 52,39 +/- 14,21 years and 6,5 +/- 5,21 years for those younger than 14 yrs. The most frequent etiologies of the intestinal failure were neoplasia (22%), and mesenteric ischaemia (15%). Tunnelled catheters were used in 63% of the patients. The catheter-related infections were the most frequent complications, with a rate of 1,14 episodes/10(3) days. In 51% of the cases the nutritional support was maintained for more than 2 years. HPN solutions and disposables were supplied by the hospital pharmacy in 76% and 81%, respectively. Up to 50% of the patients had a normal activity level. The most frequent reasons to end HPN treatment were the transition to oral/enteral feeding (41%) and exitus (31%). CONCLUSIONS: We have observed a mild decrease in the number of HPN patients registered in the period 2004-2005, probably related to the change of the registry. The characteristics of the patients are similar to previous years. We have observed an increase in the septic catheter-related complications in the year 2005.

[The year 2003 National Registry of Home-based Parenteral Nutrition]. / Registro Nacional de la Nutrición Parenteral Domiciliaria del año 2003.

OBJECTIVE: To report the results of the Home-based Parenteral Nutrition (HBPN) registry of the NADYA-SENPE working group, for the year 2003. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Gathering of registry data introduced by all units responsible of HBPN patient care. This an on-line registry available for authorized users of the working group web page (www.nadya-senpe.com). Epidemiological data, diagnosis, access route, complications, hospital admissions, disability degree, and course at December 31st, 2003 RESULTS: Data from 86 patients (62% female and 38% male) from 17 hospitals were gathered. Mean age of adult patients was 50.7 +/- 15.0 years, whereas for patients younger than 14 years was 2.4 +/- 1.5 years (n = 5 patients). Diseases that prone HBPN were neoplasm (21%), followed by mesenteric ischemia (20%), radiation enteritis (16.3%), motility impairments (10.5%), and Crohn's disease (4.6%). Tunneled catheters were used in 66.3% of the cases versus 29.1% of subcutaneous reservoirs. Mean treatment duration has been 8.5 +/- 4.6 months; 67.4% of patients had been on HBPN for a period of time longer than 6 months. Patient follow-up was mostly done from the reference area hospital (88.4%). In no case patient follow-up was done by the primary care team or by specialists other than those prescribing nutritional support. Nutritional support-related complications were seen in 98 occasions. The most frequent complications were infectious ones. They represented 1.60 hospital admissions per patient. The mean number of visits was 7.9 per patient (6.4 for scheduled visits and 1.5 for emergency visits). By the end of the year, we observed that 73.3% of the patients were still on the program, whereas in 23.3% HBPN had been withdrawn. The main reasons for withdrawal were decease (11 patients), and advancing to oral diet (9 patients). As for the disability degree, 13% were confined to a wheelchair or bed, and only 28% had no disability degree or only mild social disability. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a mild increase in HBPN prevalence rate in Spain (2.15 patients pmp). The main indication was cancer followed by short-bowel syndrome secondary to vascular pathology. Nutritional support-related complications were common, especially those of an infectious origin.

[The year 2002 national register on home-based parenteral nutrition]. / Registro nacional de la nutrición parenteral domiciliaria del año 2002.

AIM: To report on the results of the Registry on Home-based Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) of the NADYA-SENPE working group, corresponding to the year 2002. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Compilation of the registry data loaded by the Units in charge of HPN patients care. It consists of an on-line registry available to the registered users of the group's web page (www.nadya-senpe.com). Epidemiological, diagnostic, access route, complications, hospital admissions, degree of disability, and course until December 31st of 2002. RESULTS: Data from 74 patients were gathered (56.8% women and 43.2% men), from 18 hospital centers. Mean age of adult patients was 49.4 +/- 15.5 years and 2.3-1.1 years for patients younger than 14 years (n=3 patients). Diseases that prompted the use of HPN were mesenteric ischemia (29.7%), followed by neoplasms (16.2%), radiation enteritis (12.2%), motility impairments (8.1%), and Crohn's disease (5.4%). Tunneled catheters were used in 52.7% of cases, as compared to 36.5% of subcutaneous reservoirs. Mean treatment duration was 8.7 +/- 4.4 months; 68.9% of patients remained on HPN for a duration longer than 6 months, and in 41.9% longer than one year. Patients' follow-up was mainly done from the reference hospital (87.8%), and the remaining patients (12.5%) by the home care team. In no case patients were followed by the primary care team or other specialists than the ones that prescribed nutritional support. In 94 cases there were complications related to nutritional therapy. The more frequent complications presented were infectious. These complications represented 1.84 admissions per patient. The mean number of visits was 12.9 per patient (10.2 routinary visits and 2.7 emergency visits). At the end of the year, we observed that 74.3% patients stayed in the program, whereas in the remaining 23.6% HPN had been discontinued. The main causes for discontinuation were death (52.9%), and switch to oral diet (23.5%) or enteral nutrition (11.8%). With regards to disability degree, 16.1% were confined to a wheelchair or bed, and 17.6% had no disability at all or only a mild social disability. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a sustained HPN prevalence rate in Spain (1.8 patient pmp). The main cause for its use was short bowel syndrome secondary to vascular disease, followed by cancer. Complications associated to nutritional therapy were common, especially of infectious origin.

[Home Enteral Nutrition: National Registry 2001]. / Nutrición Enteral Domiciliaria (NED): registro nacional 2001.

GOAL: The NADYA-SENPE Working Group analyzed the registered data of patients on Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) in our country, during year 2001. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data were collected through a closed questionnaire included on our web site (www.nadya-senpe.com). Apart from epidemiological information, the form includes the indication to prescribe this treatment, the specific nutritional treatment used and its duration, access path, complications and readmission rate in hospital, follow-up of the treatment, patient's quality of life and progress. All data were processed and analyzed by the coordinating team. RESULTS: Twenty two hospitals participated and 3,458 patients, aged 5.6 +/- 4.0 y for those younger than 14 y, and 67.1 +/- 19.5 y for those older than 14 y, were enrolled. Of these patients, 43.4% were diagnosed with neurological diseases and 33.5% with cancer. The mean time on HEN was 6.5 +/- 4.5 months. Oral nutrition was the preferential route (54.5%), followed by nasoenteral tube (32.3%), and in 13.3% ostomy tubes were placed. Polymeric was the formula composition mainly used (85.9%). Patients were followed (71.1%) by the hospital reference Nutritional Support Unit. The complications related to nutrition included mainly the gastrointestinal (0.16 complications/patient), and the mechanical one (0.15 complications/patient). At the end for the year, 48.3% of the patients were in the HEN program, and in 33.3% HEN was finish due to different reasons. In 22.9% of the patients no, o light, discapacity degree was found. CONCLUSIONS: Neurological diseases and cancer were the more frequent diagnoses in HEN patients. Oral access was the higher feeding route due, probably, to the high prevalence of cancer patients. In spite of the elevated prevalence of neurological diseases, a few number of patients, as previous years, were feed with ostomy tube. Due to the few complications observed, HEN is a safe treatment in our country.

Plasma urea-cycle-related amino acids, ammonium levels, and urinary orotic acid excretion in short-bowel patients managed with an oral diet.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The small intestine contains several enzymes involved in arginine synthesis and converts glutamine to citrulline, the major compound for endogenous arginine synthesis. This study was conducted to assess the plasma status of urea-cycle intermediates and orotic urinary excretion in short-bowel patients. METHODS: Thirteen stable short-bowel syndrome patients (7 men; 60.2+/-15.2 years) were studied. Patients were divided into moderately resected (Group A; n=6) and severely resected (Group B; n=7) according to their remnant bowel length (Group A: 61-150 cm; Group B: < or =60 cm). All subjects were consuming an oral diet plus dietetic supplements. Plasma urea-cycle amino acids, ammonium and urinary orotic acid were determined. RESULTS: Plasma glutamine levels were significantly higher in both patient groups than in the control group (P<0.001). Regarding citrulline, Group B levels were significantly lower vs. controls (P<0.001). Comparisons between patient groups showed higher arginine in Group A (P<0.05) and non-statistically lower citrulline in Group B. Blood ammonium and orotic urinary excretion were normal. CONCLUSIONS: Although plasma citrulline and glutamine alterations were found, patients showed no hyperammonemia or orotic aciduria, which suggests a certain degree of adaptation in arginine and related amino acid metabolism, when an adequate dietary supply of arginine is provided.

Do corticosteroids add any benefit to standard GVHD prophylaxis in allogeneic BMT?

In a retrospective study, we compared 15 patients who received cyclosporine (CsA), methotrexate (MTX) and prednisone (PDN) and 15 patients who received CsA-MTX for GVHD prophylaxis after allogeneic BMT (HLA-identical sibling (n = 22), related one HLA mismatch (n = 1), unrelated matched donors (n = 6), unrelated one HLA mismatch (n = 1)). The primary objectives of this study were to compare the incidence of GVHD and post-transplantation complications. Secondary objectives were to compare relapse rate, transplant-related mortality and overall survival. The incidence of acute GVHD grade III-IV was similar between the two groups (P = 0.66), as was the incidence of chronic GVHD (P = 0.67). Incidence of arterial hypertension was significantly higher in patients who received prophylactic PDN, (P = 0.03) and more insulin treatment was required in this group (P = 0.003). We observed no differences in the incidence of infections or upper digestive tract bleeding. Musculoskeletal complications appeared earlier in the group which received PDN. With a median follow-up of 4.4 years, patients in the CsA-MTX group had better overall survival, 46.7% vs 13.3% (P = 0.026). Relapse was a more frequent cause of death in the CsA-MTX group, whereas procedure-related mortality was more frequent in the CsA-MTX-PDN group (P = 0.013). These results suggest that prophylactic prednisone when combined with cyclosporine and methotrexate adds no benefit in acute or chronic GVHD prevention and may increase the morbidity of allogeneic transplantation. Corticosteroids may be reserved for GVHD treatment.

Serum albumin as indicator of clinical evolution in patients on parenteral nutrition. Multivariate study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of this study is to establish whether serum albumin concentration at the beginning of parenteral nutrition is related to morbidity and mortality. METHODS: In this cohort study spanning four years, a number of patients were classified into twelve groups, depending on their clinical status at the beginning of parenteral nutrition. Their serum albumin concentration and other clinical parameters were then measured and twelve multiple logistic regression models were thus generated in order to model the relationship between initial albumin concentration and risk of morbidity/mortality. RESULTS: 1953 (84%) of the 2321 patients studied were hypoalbuminemic. In six models, this condition was associated with a significant increase in the risk of nosocomial infection. However, no model could be associated to significant risk of renal failure, and only patients with previous hepatopathy were at risk for hepatic failure. In seven models, there was a significant increase in mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Serum albumin concentration at the beginning of parenteral nutrition is related to mortality and morbidity associated with nosocomial infection in some groups of the study.

Serum leptin concentrations in patients with short-bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Short-bowel syndrome is a state of severe malabsorption resulting from absence or removal of the small bowel for several causes. A number of short-bowel patients develop hyperphagia. Leptin, a protein secreted from adipose tissue, signals the amount of energy stores to the brain. OBJECTIVE: To study body composition and leptin regulation in short-bowel patients and to determine whether or not leptin concentrations are linked with hyperphagia. DESIGN: We studied 25 short-bowel patients (remnant bowel less than 150 cm) and 31 controls and 10 oral nutrition. Fifteen patients received total parenteral nutrition and 10 oral nutrition. Anthropometric measurements, body composition (by bioelectrical impedance), and cholesterol, triacylglycerol and leptin concentrations were studied in all subjects. RESULTS: There were no differences between short-bowel patients and controls in anthropometric variables, body composition, or leptin concentrations. Leptin concentrations were higher in short-bowel women than men (9.21+/-8.54 vs. 3.22+/-1.86 ng/ml, P=0.01). Leptin concentrations correlated positively with age (r=0.4, P=0.045), body mass index (r=0.52, P=0.007), fat mass (r=0.67, P=0.001) and body fat (r=0.68, P=0.0001); there were no correlations with other body composition parameters. We found no correlations between parenteral or oral nutrition and body composition parameters, or between leptin concentrations and the presence of hyperphagia. Logistic regression analysis showed that body fat correctly identified leptin concentrations in 60% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Body composition, leptin concentrations and leptin regulation in patients with short-bowel syndrome are similar to those of controls. Leptin concentrations do not correlate with hyperphagia in short bowel-patients.