Dietary Intake of Parkinson's Disease Patients.

Background and Aims: Dietary management, as an adjuvant therapy in Parkinson's disease (PD), provides clear benefits to patients. However, baseline information about the usual dietary intake of Parkinson's patients is lacking. Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study, investigating the dietary intake in Belgian PD patients, as well as their medication use and knowledge of possible food-drug interactions. A dietary record of 2 non-consecutive days, allowing the calculation of usual intake, was used. Medication use and knowledge of food-drug interactions were investigated using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: The nutrient (both macro and micro) intake in this study was similar to the dietary pattern of the general Belgian population. However, results showed that the PD population had a high dietary fiber intake of 26.2 ± 7.7 g/day, which is in line with the recommended intake. The majority of the PD patients had an inadequate intake of vitamin D and iron (respectively, 55.9 and 76.5% of all participants). When looking into the knowledge about food-drug interactions, the majority of the PD patients claimed to be aware of the food-drug interaction between dietary proteins and levodopa. However, only 18.2% of the patients took all doses of levodopa out of meals. Conclusion: Our results show that monitoring of dietary intake in PD patients is of importance to detect possible micronutrient insufficiencies. Patients should receive professional guidance in optimizing their diet to accommodate for different complaints inherent to PD, including constipation. Furthermore, the knowledge of patients regarding the importance of correct medication intake should be improved.

Validation of a food-frequency questionnaire for Flemish and Italian-native subjects in Belgium: The IMMIDIET study.

OBJECTIVE: To validate an integrated food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) developed to assess habitual food intake of Flemish and Italian-native subjects in Belgium as part of the European Collaborative Dietary Habit Profile in European Communities With Different Risk of Myocardial Infarction: the Impact of Migration as a Model of Gene/Environment Interaction (IMMIDIET Project). METHODS: The semiquantitative FFQ contained 322 items on food and food preparation. FFQs filled by a sample (n = 70) of the Flemish-Flemish and Flemish-Italian IMMIDIET subpopulations were randomly selected. Five 24-h recalls, administered over a period of 1 y by the same sample, served for validation. Energy and macronutrients were calculated using the Dutch NEVO and the Belgian NUBEL food composition tables. Intakes of energy and macronutrients estimated by the FFQ and repeated 24-h recall, respectively, were compared by means of correlation coefficients, classification into quartiles, and Bland-Altman plotting. RESULTS: The FFQ overestimated intake of energy and most macronutrients by 40-70%. This overestimation largely disappeared when values were expressed as energy percentage. Correlations ranked from 0.40 to 0.60 for energy and most macronutrients (median 0.53); correlations were lower (null to 0.41) for fat and higher (up to 0.90) for alcohol. Classification in quartiles of intake showed good agreement: 83% were classified in the same or adjacent quartile of energy, and 66-90% for macronutrients. Correlations and classification of macronutrient intake into quartiles remained similar when macronutrients were expressed as energy percentage. Stratification according to ethnic subgroup, age, body mass index, or social status showed no differences. CONCLUSION: The IMMIDIET FFQ is a valuable tool for studies of the role of energy and macronutrients in disease etiology or outcome, but less suitable for estimating absolute intake levels.

Introduction of wireless integrated care plans at the bedside.

For years electronic care plans have been touted as an important tool to provide better patient care. Until recently however, most efforts were hampered by design gaps in available Electronic Patient Record (EPR) systems and the difficulties involved in extending continuous care to the bedside. The growth in wireless LAN solutions, and the emerging maturity of EPR systems have finally made practical implementations possible. An extensive analysis, development and preparation phase followed by a pilot on the department of traumatology in the University hospital of Gent has proven the possibilities and validity of multidisciplinary electronic care plans as an integral part of the EPR. Wireless consultation, observation and charting enables bedside management of patient care. Roll-out on 5 more departments is planned in the coming year.