Results of a multidisciplinary strategy to improve the management of cardiovascular risk factors after liver transplantation.

Although liver transplantation (LT) recipients are at high cardiovascular risk (CVR), the management of CVR factors (CVRF) after LT is far from optimal and needs to be improved. For this reason, we developed a multidisciplinary protocol to standardize the identification, risk stratification, management, and targets of therapy of CVRF during the first post-LT year. The grade of identification and control of CVRF 12 months after LT in the postintervention cohort (LT January 2018-January 2020, n = 150) were compared with a control cohort who underwent LT between July 2015 and December 2016 (n = 100). Before LT, the prevalence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease as the indication of LT and the presence of obesity were significantly higher in the postintervention cohort, whereas the prevalence of other CVRF and renal dysfunction tended to be higher. Cyclosporine A was used less frequently in the postintervention cohort, whereas everolimus tended to increase. At 12 months after LT, the proportion of patients with measured blood pressure (88% vs. 56%), glycosilated hemoglobin (HbA1c; 96% vs. 72%), and high-density lipoprotein/low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (67% vs. 33%) was higher in the postintervention than in the control cohort (all p < 0.001). Blood pressure (64% vs. 36%, p = 0.02) and HbA1c (85% vs. 70%, p = 0.1) were within target in more individuals with hypertension and diabetes mellitus, respectively, in the postintervention cohort. Median total cholesterol levels were lower in the postintervention (184 mg/dl; interquartile range [IQR], 160-210 mg/dl) than in the control cohort (212 mg/dl; IQR, 186-240 mg/dl; p = 0.02). At 2 years after LT, the incidence of cardiovascular events was 14% in the control cohort and 6% in the postintervention cohort (p = 0.063). In conclusion, a multidisciplinary, multiprofessional strategy can achieve a higher grade of assessment and management of post-LT CVR despite a worsening metabolic profile of LT recipients.

Increased cholesterol absorption rather than synthesis is involved in boosted protease inhibitor-associated hypercholesterolaemia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the differential effects of first-line efavirenz (EFV)-based vs. boosted lopinavir-based antiretroviral regimens on cholesterol metabolism. DESIGN: Multicentre, open-label, randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Forty-nine naive HIV-infected patients were randomized (1 : 1) to receive either ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (LPV/r) or EFV both in combination with tenofovir and emtricitabine (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00759070). Lipid profile and serum phytosterols and cholesterol precursors were determined at baseline and after 16 weeks. RESULTS: After 16 weeks of intervention, total and non-HDL cholesterol as well as triglyceride levels significantly increased in the LPV/r-group (+1.0 ±â€Š0.8; +0.8 ±â€Š0.7 and +0.8 ±â€Š1.5 mmol/l, respectively), but not in the EFV-group (+0.4 ±â€Š0.7; +0.4 ±â€Š0.6 and 0.2 ±â€Š0.5 mmol/l, respectively). Markers of cholesterol absorption (campesterol-to-cholesterol and sitosterol-to-cholesterol ratios) significantly increased in the LPV/r-group, but not in the EFV-group, whereas there were no changes in either group of the lathosterol-to-cholesterol ratio, a marker of cholesterol synthesis. CONCLUSION: Treatment with an LPV/r-based therapy increased total cholesterol relative to EFV-based therapy. Our data suggest that absorption rather than synthesis is the mechanism involved in LPV/r-associated increased total cholesterol.

Effects of dietary enrichment with conventional foods on energy and protein intake in older adults: a systematic review.

CONTEXT: Decreased food intake is a common problem among older adults; it is a known cause of weight loss and may lead to malnutrition. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review was to determine the effects of dietary enrichment with conventional foods on energy and protein intake in older adults. DATA SOURCES: Studies were identified through systematic searches of the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, via PubMed; CINAHL, via EBSCO; Web of Science; Scopus; and Google Scholar. STUDY SELECTION: Studies in older adults were included without restrictions for sample size, length of follow-up, comparators, or date or status of publication. Eligible studies were dietary-enrichment interventions with conventional foods and powdered modules that aimed to increase the energy and protein density of meals without significantly increasing the final volume of the meals. DATA EXTRACTION: Outcomes assessed included changes in energy intake, protein intake, nutritional status, body weight, functional status, and episodes of infection. DATA SYNTHESIS: Nine studies were included. The results suggest that dietary enrichment can improve energy intake in older adults. While dietary enrichment seems to increase protein intake, there is not enough evidence of sufficient quality to confirm this observation or to determine whether dietary enrichment improves other outcomes assessed in this population. CONCLUSIONS: Additional large clinical trials with long-term interventions are needed to establish the effects of dietary enrichment in older people at risk of malnutrition.

Effects of free leucine supplementation and resistance training on muscle strength and functional status in older adults: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of free leucine supplementation combined with resistance training versus resistance training only on muscle strength and functional status in older adults. METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study with two intervention groups. Thirty older adults were randomly assigned to receive either 10 g leucine/day (leucine group [LG], n=15) or a placebo (control group [CG], n=15), plus resistance training over a 12-week period. Maximal overcoming isometric leg strength, functional status, nutritional status, body composition, health-related quality of life, depression, and dietary intake were assessed at 4 and 12 weeks. Missing data at 12 weeks were handled using mixed models for repeated measurements for data imputation. RESULTS: Twenty-four subjects completed the 4-week assessment and eleven completed the 12-week intervention. Clinically significant gains were found in isometric leg strength at both assessment time points. Analysis of the effect size also showed how participants in LG outperformed those in CG for chair stands and the timed up and go test. No significant changes were observed for the rest of the outcomes. CONCLUSION: Our combined analysis showed moderate changes in isometric leg muscle strength and certain components of functional status. The magnitude of changes found on these outcomes should be qualified as a positive effect of the concomitant intervention.

Effects of ezetimibe on cholesterol metabolism in HIV-infected patients with protease inhibitor-associated dyslipidemia: a single-arm intervention trial.

BACKGROUND: The effects of ezetimibe on cholesterol metabolism in HIV-infected patients receiving boosted protease inhibitors have not been thoroughly assessed. The aim of this study was to assess cholesterol homeostasis in patients with PI associated dyslipidemia and its relationship with the response to treatment with the cholesterol-absorption inhibitor ezetimibe. METHODS: Fifteen patients with ritonavir-boosted PI-containig therapy and LDL-cholesterol > 3.36 mmol/L (>130 mg/dL) were assessed at baseline and after an 8-week course of ezetimibe 10 mg/d. Serum non-cholesterol sterols were measured at each visit as markers of cholesterol synthesis and absorption. Total-, LDL-, and HDL-cholesterol triglycerides, apolipoproteins A1 and B, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, CD4 cells and HIV-1 RNA were also measured. RESULTS: Ezetimibe treatment was well tolerated in all patients and resulted in significant reductions in total cholesterol (-11.4%, p = .002), LDL-cholesterol (-20.4%, p = .003), non-HDL-cholesterol (-13.4%, p = .002) and apolipoprotein B (-9.1%, p = .021). Treatment with ezetimibe was associated with decreased cholesterol absorption markers (campesterol-to-cholesterol ratio -43.0%, p = .001; sitosterol-to-cholesterol ratio -41.9%, p = .001) and increased synthesis markers (lathosterol-to-cholesterol ratio 53.2%, p = .005). Baseline absorption or synthesis markers were unrelated to the response to treatment. CD4 cell count and plasma HIV-1 RNA remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: The level of cholesterol absorption or synthesis does not appear to be a major determinant of the responsiveness to ezetimibe in patients on ritonavir-boosted PI-containing therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT: 2006-006156-36.

Usefulness of dietary enrichment on energy and protein intake in elderly patients at risk of malnutrition discharged to home.

INTRODUCTION: Malnutrition is a cause for concern among many admitted elderly patients, being common at hospital admission and discharge. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess if diet enrichment with small servings of energy and protein dense foods, improves energy and nutrient intake in elderly patients at risk of malnutrition discharged to home. METHODS: This was a retrospective case series study in elderly patients at risk of malnutrition treated with diet enrichment. There was a data review of dietary and health records of elderly patients discharged to home. Forty-one patients, mean age of 83 ± 5 years, met the inclusion criteria; 13 patients had been lost after 4 weeks of treatment and a total of 24 patients after 12 weeks. Records contained food intake data assessed at baseline, and after 4 and 12 weeks of treatment. Mini Nutritional Assessment, anthropometric measurements, routine biochemical parameters and the Barthel Index were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, patients significantly improved their energy and protein intake after 4 weeks of treatment, fulfilling the mean nutritional requirements. The improvement in energy and protein intake was still manifest at week 12. After 12 weeks of dietary enrichment, a significant weight gain was observed (4.1%, p = 0.011), as well. No significant changes were detected in functional status. CONCLUSIONS: Using small servings of energy and protein dense foods to enrich meals seems a feasible nutritional treatment to increase energy and protein intake and meet nutritional goals among elderly patients discharged to home.

Introducción: La desnutrición es causa de preocupación en muchos pacientes ingresados, siendo frecuente al ingreso y alta hospitalaria. Objetivos: El objetivo de este estudio fue valorar si el enriquecimiento de la dieta con pequeñas raciones de alimentos densos en energía y nutrientes mejora la ingesta energética y de nutrientes en pacientes ancianos con riesgo de desnutrición dados de alta al domicilio. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de una serie de casos en paciente ancianos con riesgo de desnutrición tratados con enriquecimiento de la dieta. Se revisaron los datos de la historia clínica y dietética de pacientes ancianos dados de alta a domicilio. Cuarenta-y-un pacientes, con una edad media de 83 ± 5 años, cumplieron los criterios de inclusión; 13 pacientes se perdieron después de 4 semanas de tratamiento y un total de 24 después de 12 semanas. El historial contenía datos de la ingesta de alimentos valorada a nivel basal, y después de 4 y 12 semanas de tratamiento. El Mini Nutritional Assessment, las medidas antropométricas, los parámetros bioquímicos rutinarios y el Índice de Barthel fueron valorados a nivel basal y después de 12 semanas. Resultados: En comparación al inicio, los pacientes mejoraron significativamente su ingesta energética y proteica después de 4 semanas de tratamiento, cumpliendo con los requerimientos nutricionales medios. La mejora en la ingesta de energía y proteínas todavía era manifiesta en la semana 12. Después de 12 semanas de enriquecimiento de la dieta, también se observó un incremento significativo en el peso (4.1%, p = 0.011). No se detectaron cambios significativos en el estado funcional. Conclusiones: El uso de pequeñas raciones de alimentos con elevada densidad energética y proteica para enriquecer las comidas parece ser un tratamiento nutricional factible para incrementar la ingesta energética y proteica y cumplir con los objetivos nutricionales en paciente ancianos dados de alta al domicilio.

Potential usefulness of an EPA-enriched nutritional supplement on chemotherapy tolerability in cancer patients without overt malnutrition.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of an intervention with an Eicosapentaenoic Acid-enriched oral nutritional supplement on chemotherapy tolerability in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. METHODS: Thirteen patients diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer were included. Patients in the experimental group received 2 packs of supplement per day during 12 weeks plus dietary counseling. The control group only received dietary counseling. Patients were assessed for nutritional status, dietary intake, health related quality of life (HRQOL) and chemotherapy compliance. RESULTS: Only patients in the supplemented group significantly increased their weight after the intervention. They also had better scores in important domains of HRQOL, compared to controls. Although not statistically significant, the supplemented group did not experience interruptions in their chemotherapy treatment compared to the control group, with more interruptions due to toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: The present study, although limited by sample size, points out towards a positive effect of the intervention on chemotherapy tolerability.