Assessment of body composition by whole-body densitometry: what radiologists should know.

The analysis of body composition is a fundamental part of a nutritional status assessment, and the use of diagnostic imaging methods has been increasingly required for an adequate characterization of the lean body mass and fat mass. Body composition measurements are useful in evaluating the effectiveness of nutritional interventions and monitoring changes associated with aging and chronic diseases. Whole-body densitometry using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is one of the most widely used methods in clinical practice, allowing highly accurate assessment of the bone mineral content, lean body mass, and fat mass. Although a DEXA examination provides a lot of information, there is still no universal standardization of the parameters to be included in radiology reports. The aim of this study was to review the most relevant information for assessing body composition by whole-body densitometry.

A análise da composição corporal é parte fundamental de uma avaliação nutricional, em que a utilização de métodos diagnósticos por imagem tem sido cada vez mais requisitada para uma adequada caracterização da massa magra e massa gorda corporal. Medidas de composição corporal são úteis em avaliar a eficácia das intervenções nutricionais e monitorar as mudanças associadas ao envelhecimento e condições de doenças crônicas. A densitometria de corpo inteiro utilizando a técnica de absorciometria de dupla energia (DEXA) é um dos métodos mais utilizados na prática clínica, que permite avaliação com elevada acurácia do conteúdo mineral ósseo, da gordura corporal e da massa magra. Este exame fornece grande quantidade de informações, no entanto, ainda não existe uma padronização universal de quais parâmetros devem ser incluídos nos relatórios radiológicos. O objetivo deste trabalho é revisar as informações mais relevantes para avaliação da composição corporal fornecidas pela densitometria de corpo inteiro.

Association between thiamine deficiency and hyperlactatemia among critically ill patients with diabetes infected by SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to verify the association between diabetes and thiamine deficiency in critically ill patients infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study, whose demographic, anthropometric, and laboratory data (arterial lactate, bicarbonate, and plasma thiamine) were obtained in the first hours of admission to the intensive care unit. Patients with diabetes were compared with individuals without diabetes, and the correlation was performed between thiamine and lactate levels. Thiamine levels <28 µg/L were considered as thiamine deficiency. RESULTS: Overall, 270 patients met the inclusion criteria; 51.1% were men, and the median age was 74 years (66.8-81). The median value of thiamine was 54.0 µg/L (38-72.3), and 15.6% had thiamine deficiency. Among patients with diabetes, 26.3% had thiamine deficiency, and 69.3% had hyperlactatemia. There was an association between thiamine deficiency and diabetes (odds ratio 4.28; 95% CI, 2.08-8.81; P < .001). There was a strong negative correlation between thiamine and arterial lactate in patients with diabetes (r = -0.711, P < .001) and a moderate negative correlation in critically ill patients without diabetes (r = -0.489, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of thiamine deficiency in critically ill patients due to coronavirus disease 2019 is higher in patients with diabetes. There is a negative correlation between thiamine and arterial lactate levels, which is higher in people with diabetes.

Association Between Low Zinc Levels and Severity of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome by New Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND: We verify the prevalence of low zinc levels among critically ill patients infected by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the intensive care unit (ICU) who required invasive mechanical ventilation, as well as its association with severity of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS: This is an observational study composed of patients admitted to the ICU. Demographics, anthropometric data for calculating body mass index (BMI), and laboratory data were obtained at admission: blood count, ferritin, arterial blood gas, serum zinc levels, and C-reactive protein. Also, arterial oxygen tension (PaO2 ) divided by fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2 ) was calculated by the first arterial blood gas after intubation. A diagnosis of severe ARDS was determined if the PaO2 /FiO2 ratio was ≤100 mm Hg. Low zinc levels were established if zinc levels were <70 µg/dL. RESULTS: A total of 269 patients met inclusion criteria; 51.3% were men; median age was 74 (66-81) years; 91.1% (245 of 269) were elderly. The median BMI was 30.1 (24.7-32.1) kg/m2 , with 59.9% (161 of 269) of patients having overweight and obesity. The prevalence of low zinc levels was 79.6% (214 of 269) and severe ARDS was 56.5% (152 of 269). There was an association of low zinc levels and severe ARDS (odds ratio [OR], 14.4; 95% CI, 6.2-33.5; P < .001), even after adjusting for baseline variables (OR, 15.4; 95% CI, 6.5-36.3; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Critically ill patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 with severe ARDS have a high prevalence of low serum zinc levels.

Perioperative Immunonutrition in Elderly Patients Undergoing Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: Impact on Postoperative Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Arthroplasties in elderly patients are surgeries performed to ensure their quality of life. Perioperative care with specific nutrients can improve nutrition status and metabolic response to orthopedic surgeries, such as total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: Retrospective study with elderly patients divided into 2 groups: control and immunonutrition. The immunonutrition group was instructed to start oral intake of the nutrition supplement 5 days before and to resume it 5 days after arthroplasty (200 mL, 3 times per day). The following were analyzed as primary and secondary outcomes: length of stay (LOS), infectious and noninfectious complications, need for intensive care unit (ICU), transfusion requirement, and C-reactive protein. RESULTS: A total of 3015 elderly patients met the inclusion criteria: control group (n = 1398) and immunonutrition group (n = 1617). Overall, 81.2% were women and mean age was 72.6 ± 6.9 years. Immunonutrition group had a shorter LOS in hours (32.0 ± 19.4 vs 56.0 ± 26.4; P < .001) and lower rates of infectious complications (2.2% vs 4.6%; P < .001). Noninfectious complications and need for ICU also had lower rates in the immunonutrition group. In the logistic regression analysis, immunonutrition reduced the chance of infectious complications by 55% (odds ratio [OR], 0.45; 95% CI, 0.30-0.68; P < .001) even after adjusting for variables (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.28-0.71; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Perioperative immunonutrition in elderly patients undergoing THA or TKA may shorten postoperative LOS and reduce infectious and noninfectious complications and transfusion requirement.

Prevalence of obesity and hypovitaminosis D in elderly with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

BACKGROUND & AIM: Verify the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and obesity in elderly patients infected by new coronavirus. The patients developed severe symptoms and were admitted in intensive care unit (ICU) to receive invasive ventilation due to diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study composed of elderly (age ≥ 60 years) admitted to the ICU. Were collected demographic (sex, age), anthropometric data, presence of comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, lung, neurological and oncological diseases), severity score in ICU (SAPS III), PaO2/FiO2 ratio, analysis of C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum dosage of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25 OHD) in the first day of hospitalization to identify elderly with hypovitaminosis D (low values < 30 ng/mL). The diagnosis of obesity in elderly was determined by calculating the body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2. RESULTS: A total of 176 elderly met the inclusion criteria. 54% were elderly men and mean age of 72.9 ± 9.1 years. The median BMI was 30.5 (28.1-33) kg/m2 with 68.7% having a nutritional diagnosis of obesity and 15.3% had BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2. The most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension (72.2%) and diabetes (40.9%). Prevalence of hypovitaminosis D with values of 25 OHD <30 ng/mL, < 20 ng/mL and <10 ng/mL was 93.8%, 65.9% and 21% respectively. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D (<30 ng/mL) in obese elderly was 94.2%. There was a negative and significant bivariate correlation between BMI and levels of 25 OHD (r = - 0.15; p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Hypovitaminosis D and obesity in elderly have a high prevalence in critically ill patients in ICU infected by the new coronavirus. Laboratory investigation of vitamin D becomes important, especially in obese elderly patients.

Brazilian Nutritional Consensus in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Elderly.

The Brazilian Nutritional Consensus in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Elderly was elaborated by nutritionists, nutrologists and hematologists physicians from 15 Brazilians reference centers in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, in order to emphasize the importancy of nutritional status and the body composition during the treatment, as well as the main characteristics related to patient's nutritional assessment. Establishing the consensus, we intended to improve and standardize the nutritional therapy during the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The Consensus was approved by the Brazilian Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation.

Assessment of body composition by whole-body densitometry: what radiologists should know / Avaliação da composição corporal pela densitometria de corpo inteiro: o que os radiologistas precisam saber

Abstract The analysis of body composition is a fundamental part of a nutritional status assessment, and the use of diagnostic imaging methods has been increasingly required for an adequate characterization of the lean body mass and fat mass. Body composition measurements are useful in evaluating the effectiveness of nutritional interventions and monitoring changes associated with aging and chronic diseases. Whole-body densitometry using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is one of the most widely used methods in clinical practice, allowing highly accurate assessment of the bone mineral content, lean body mass, and fat mass. Although a DEXA examination provides a lot of information, there is still no universal standardization of the parameters to be included in radiology reports. The aim of this study was to review the most relevant information for assessing body composition by whole-body densitometry.

Resumo A análise da composição corporal é parte fundamental de uma avaliação nutricional, em que a utilização de métodos diagnósticos por imagem tem sido cada vez mais requisitada para uma adequada caracterização da massa magra e massa gorda corporal. Medidas de composição corporal são úteis em avaliar a eficácia das intervenções nutricionais e monitorar as mudanças associadas ao envelhecimento e condições de doenças crônicas. A densitometria de corpo inteiro utilizando a técnica de absorciometria de dupla energia (DEXA) é um dos métodos mais utilizados na prática clínica, que permite avaliação com elevada acurácia do conteúdo mineral ósseo, da gordura corporal e da massa magra. Este exame fornece grande quantidade de informações, no entanto, ainda não existe uma padronização universal de quais parâmetros devem ser incluídos nos relatórios radiológicos. O objetivo deste trabalho é revisar as informações mais relevantes para avaliação da composição corporal fornecidas pela densitometria de corpo inteiro.

Brazilian Nutritional Consensus in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Elderly / Consenso Brasileiro de Nutrição em Transplante de Células-Tronco Hematopoiéticas: Idosos

ABSTRACT The Brazilian Nutritional Consensus in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Elderly was elaborated by nutritionists, nutrologists and hematologists physicians from 15 Brazilians reference centers in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, in order to emphasize the importancy of nutritional status and the body composition during the treatment, as well as the main characteristics related to patient's nutritional assessment. Establishing the consensus, we intended to improve and standardize the nutritional therapy during the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The Consensus was approved by the Brazilian Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation.

RESUMO O Consenso Brasileiro de Nutrição em Transplante de Células-Tronco Hematopoiéticas: Idoso foi elaborado com a participação de nutricionistas, médicos nutrólogos e médicos hematologistas de 15 centros brasileiros referência em transplante de células-tronco hematopoiéticas, com o objetivo de salientar a importância do estado nutricional e da composição corporal durante o tratamento, bem como as principais características relacionadas à avaliação nutricional do paciente. As intenções, ao se estabelecer o consenso, foram aprimorar e padronizar a terapia nutricional durante o transplante de células-tronco hematopoiéticas. O consenso foi aprovado pela Sociedade Brasileira de Transplante de Médula Óssea.