Sarcopenia associates with increased hospitalization rates and reduced survival in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Objectives: Malnutrition is a well-known complication of chronic pancreatitis and alterations in body composition are common in this context. We investigated the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with chronic pancreatitis, its associated risk factors and health-related outcome. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of chronic pancreatitis outpatients. Bioelectric impedance was used to measure body composition, and a handheld dynamometer and the timed-up-and-go test characterized muscle function. Several demographic and disease characteristics, including exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), were analyzed for their association with sarcopenia. The EORCT QLQ-C30 questionnaire was used to document life quality, and associations between sarcopenia and the number of hospital admissions, the number of in-hospital days and survival over the next 12 months were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 182 patients were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 17.0% (95% CI; 11.9-23.3) and 74% of sarcopenic patients had a BMI in the normal or overweight range (BMI >18.5 kg/m2). EPI was an independent risk factor for sarcopenia (OR 3.8 95% CI [1.2-12.5]; p = 0.03). Several QLQ-C30 scales and items were associated with sarcopenia including physical functioning (p < 0.001) and global health (p = 0.003). During follow-up, sarcopenia was associated with an increased risk of hospitalization (OR 2.2 95% CI [0.9-5.0]; p = 0.07), increased number of in-hospital days (p < 0.001), and reduced survival (HR 6.7 [95% CI; 1.8-25.0]; p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia is a common complication of chronic pancreatitis and associates with adverse health-related outcomes. As sarcopenia is not recognized by conventional anthropometric parameters in the majority of patients, systematic nutritional assessment should be prioritized.

Prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with chronic intestinal failure-how are SARC-F and the EWGSOP algorithm associated before and after a physical exercise intervention.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with chronic intestinal failure (IF) have a low degree of physical activity, decreased muscle mass, and decreased muscle strength, leading to a high risk of sarcopenia. We aimed to test the prevalence of sarcopenia by the use of SARC-F and EWGSOP and to investigate the association between the two at baseline and after 12 weeks of an exercise intervention. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with chronic IF completed 12 weeks of three weekly home-based individualized exercise sessions. Body composition was measured by bioimpedance analysis and physical function by handgrip strength (HGS) and timed up-and-go (TUG). Sarcopenia was assessed by SARC-F and EWGSOP. Multiple regression analysis was used to test for the association between the two tools. RESULTS: The prevalence of sarcopenia measured by EWGSOP was 59%. This prevalence did not change after the intervention. At baseline, 38.8% of patients were screened as at risk for sarcopenia by SARC-F. This decreased to 29.0% after the intervention (P < 0.001). A statistically significant increase was achieved in muscle mass (P = 0.017) and muscle mass index (P = 0.016). Furthermore, both TUG (P = 0.033) and HGS (P = 0.019) improved. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia is prevalent in patients with chronic IF. EWGSOP finds more patients to be at risk of sarcopenia than SARC-F but was not sufficiently sensitive to measure changes induced by the physical intervention. The significant change in SARC-F may illustrate that patients, themselves, find an improvement in self-perceived health.

Urinary creatinine based equations for estimation of fat free mass in patients with intestinal insufficiency or intestinal failure.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Assessment of body composition is an important aspect of disease management in patients with intestinal insufficiency (INS) or intestinal failure (IF). However, in daily clinical settings most body composition methods are too expensive or impractical, leaving body composition to be assessed by less reliable methods such as skin fold thickness. The aim of this study was to investigate and validate the use of an equation for the estimation of fat-free mass (FFM) with bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) as reference method. METHODS: A literature search for identification of urinary creatinine-based FFM-prediction equations was carried out a long side the creation of an equation by multiple linear regression. The correlation of each equation with FFM (measured by BIA in 277 patients with either INS or IF) was done by Pearson's correlation. Further investigation and validation of performance was done for the equations with the strongest correlation by Bland-Altman analysis, determination of root mean square error (RMSE), and intraclass correlation (ICC). The validation was carried out in a new group of 37 patients with either INS or IF. RESULTS: A total of 11 prediction equations were correlated with FFM measured by BIA. The equation called FFMmultiple and FFM-5 had the strongest correlation (r = 0.969, p < 0.01 and r = 0.950, p < 0.01, respectively). FFMmultiple was superior to FFM-5 regarding Bland-Altman analysis, RMSE, and ICC in the study group (Mean bias ± Standard Deviation = 0.042 ± 2.352 versus 0.309 ± 3.196; 95% limits of agreement = [-4.568; 4.651] versus [-5.955; 6.578]; RMSE = 0.158 versus 0.236; ICC = 0.969 versus 0.948). Cross-validation resulted in a Bland-Altman analysis with a statistically significant difference between FFMmultiple and FFM by BIA. FFM-5 showed wide 95% limits of agreement ([-6.977; 6.421]). CONCLUSIONS: Two urinary creatinine-based equations (FFMmultiple and FFM-5) showed promising results as possible substitutes to BIA, however further investigation and cross validation revealed inauspicious results. Thus, the present study cannot recommend the use of a prediction equation instead of BIA for the assessment of FFM in patients with INS and IF.

Different GLIM criteria combinations change prevalence of malnutrition in patients with intestinal insufficiency or intestinal failure.

BACKGROUND & AIM: Due to lack of global consensus in diagnosing malnutrition, Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) has suggested the GLIM criteria based on etiological and phenotypical criteria. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition in patients with intestinal insufficiency (INS) or intestinal failure (IF) based on the different GLIM criteria combinations to diagnose malnutrition. Furthermore, the aim was to investigate the severity of malnutrition in the two patient groups. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with INS patients on enteral nutrition and IF patients on home parenteral nutrition. We recorded age, gender, weight, height, fat free mass index (FFMI) by bioelectrical impedance analysis, handgrip strength (HGS), arm muscle circumference (AMC) and biochemical parameters: plasma albumin (p-alb) and plasma C-reactive protein (p-CRP). Further, we calculated Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) and body mass index (BMI). STATISTICS: T-test, Chi-square test and simple logistic regression analysis. Significance level: p < 0.05. RESULTS: In total 277 INS and IF patients were included (age 59.5 ± 15.2 years, male 43,7%, BMI 22.1 ± 4.3 kg/m2). Groups were comparable according to number, age and gender but more IF patients had decreased BMI, p-alb, HGS and FFMI and increased CRP and GPS 1 or 2. Prevalence of malnutrition using GPS 1 or 2 combined with BMI, FFMI or HGS was 22.6%, 23.4%, 26.3% for INS, respectively (p = 0.756) and 40.7%, 40.0%, 59.3% for IF, respectively (p = 0.001). Agreement between the criteria combinations were: 8.0% for INS and 25.7% for IF. Significantly more with IF was diagnosed with severe malnutrition as compared to no malnutrition (43 vs. 26, p = 0.012, OR 2.1 [CI95% 1.2-3.8]), but only a tendency in the group with moderate malnutrition as compared to no malnutrition (27 vs. 22, p = 0.180, OR 1.6 [CI95% 0.8-3.0]) CONCLUSION: We found both prevalence and severity of malnutrition to be higher in IF than INS patients. GLIM-criteria were able to identify approximately same prevalence of malnutrition in INS but not in IF, when combining GPS 1 or 2 with BMI, FFMI and HGS. However, the agreement was poor in both groups. Consequently, further validation of GLIM is needed - including association to clinical outcome in lack of a gold standard.

Micronutrient deficits in patients with chronic pancreatitis: prevalence, risk factors and pitfalls.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies and associated patient and disease-related risk factors in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP). METHODS: We enrolled 115 consecutive CP outpatients. Micro-nutritional assessments included plasma levels of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D and E) and trace elements (magnesium and zinc). Bioelectrical impedance and muscle function tests were used to characterize the macro-nutritional status (sarcopenia and phase angle). Prevalence of micro-nutritional deficiencies was estimated and associated with a number of patient and disease characteristics including presence of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and diabetes mellitus. In an additional analysis, we explored the association between micronutrient levels and macro-nutritional status. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 57.9 ± 13.0 years, 71% were men and 50% had an alcoholic aetiology. Vitamin D deficiency (22%) was the most common micronutrient deficit followed by zinc deficiency (20%) and magnesium deficiency (17%). Vitamin A deficiency (10%) and vitamin E deficiency (7%) were only seen in patients with EPI (P ≤ 0.03), while the presence of trace element deficits was associated with plasma albumin levels (P ≤ 0.006). Plasma zinc levels were decreased in sarcopenic patients (P < 0.001) and positively correlated to phase angle (coefficient 0.28; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Various micronutrient deficits were observed in CP outpatients, and associated risk factors were diverse and distinct for the individual nutrients. Taken together, our findings highlight the complexity of micronutrient assessment in patients with CP and emphasise the importance of simultaneous evaluation of plasma protein levels, inflammatory activity and macro-nutritional status.

Body composition predicts clinical outcome in patients with intestinal failure on long-term home parenteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Patients with chronic intestinal failure (CIF) are at risk of altered body composition and impaired muscle function, which may negatively affect clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of body composition and muscle strength in relation to clinical outcome in CIF patients on long-term home parenteral nutrition (HPN). METHODS: This was an observational cohort study comprising 77 clinically stable patients with CIF on HPN (>12 months). At inclusion, we recorded demographic data and information regarding anthropometry, body composition assessed by bioelectrical impedance and muscle strength by hand grip strength. Number of yearly hospital readmissions and length of hospital stay (LOS) as well as all-cause mortality characterized clinical outcome. Assessment parameters were categorized according to normative reference values. RESULTS: The average number of readmissions was 2.0 ± 1.8 per year and the average LOS was 23.2 ± 23.6 days. In univariate analysis phase angle (PA, p = 0.009) and handgrip strength (HGS, p = 0.012) were associated with the number of readmissions. Multivariate analysis confirmed the independence and significance of the association for PA (coefficient -0.5 [95% CI; -0.9 to -0.2]; p = 0.007). In addition, PA was associated with LOS in univariate analysis (p = 0.019), while none of the remaining parameters were significantly associated with LOS. During the follow-up period (median 24.3 months), 16 (20.8%) patients died and the cumulative mortality rate was 14.3% after two years. Fat free mass index (FFMI) below normal (Hazard Ratio 3.9 [95% CI; 1.1-14.1]; p = 0.04) and PA below normal (Hazard Ratio 5.3 [95% CI; 1.6-17.5]; P = 0.007) were identified as independent risk factors for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Phase angle significantly predicted number of readmissions, length of hospital stay and mortality in patients with intestinal failure on long-term parenteral nutrition, while fat free mass index only predicted mortality.

Osteoporosis in patients with intestinal insufficiency and intestinal failure: Prevalence and clinical risk factors.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Intestinal insufficiency and intestinal failure are associated with malabsorption of micro- and macronutrients that may negatively influence bone metabolism and increase the risk for developing osteoporosis. However, information regarding prevalence and contribution of individual risk factors is scarce. We investigated the prevalence of osteoporosis in patients with intestinal insufficiency and intestinal failure and identified associated risk factors. METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study including 167 clinically stable outpatients with intestinal insufficiency or intestinal failure. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry and the prevalence of osteoporosis was compared to a gender and age matched population. Several clinical and demographic parameters, including body mass index (BMI), vitamin-D, smoking habits and medications, were analyzed for association with BMD. RESULTS: The prevalence of osteoporosis was 56.9% in the combined patient group compared to 24.1% in the control group (OR 4.2 [95% CI, 2.3 to 7.7]; p < 0.001). BMD in the hip was independently associated with BMI (0.13 [95% CI, 0.09 to 0.18]; p < 0.001) and vitamin-D levels (-0.41 [95% CI, -0.76 to -0.06]; p = 0.03). Similar associations were seen for BMD in the spine (0.15 [95% CI, 0.08 - 0.22]; p < 0.001) and (-0.60 [95% CI, -0.76 to -0.06]; p = 0.02), respectively. Trends for low BMD were observed in smokers, and in patients using glucocorticoids, opioids, and proton pump inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with intestinal insufficiency and intestinal failure are at immense risk of developing osteoporosis. Low BMI and vitamin-D deficiency were identified as independent risk factors.

The prevalence of sarcopenia is markedly increased in patients with intestinal failure and associates with several risk factors.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Intestinal insufficiency and intestinal failure are conditions associated with malabsorption of micro- and macronutrients. Consequently, malnutrition and ensuing alterations in body composition are common in this context and patients may have an increased risk of progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function (i.e. sarcopenia). We investigated the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with intestinal insufficiency and intestinal failure and identified associated risk factors. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study including 113 clinically stable outpatients with intestinal insufficiency or intestinal failure. Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis and muscle function (strength or performance) using a handheld dynamometer and a timed up-and-go test. Sarcopenia was classified using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People criteria. Several parameters, including smoking, alcohol, and concurrent morbidities, were analyzed for association with sarcopenia. RESULTS: The prevalence of sarcopenia was 53.1% (95% CI; 43.8 to 62.2) in the combined patient group. In patients with intestinal failure the prevalence of sarcopenia was 72.7% (95% CI; 59.3 to 83.0) compared to 34.5% (95% CI; 23.3 to 47.8) in those with intestinal insufficiency (OR 5.07 [95% CI; 2.27 to 11.31]; p < 0.001). Excessive alcohol consumption (OR 7.69 [95% CI; 1.50 to 39.34]; p = 0.014), intestinal failure (OR 4.16 [95% CI; 1.69 to 10.28]; p = 0.002), and inflammatory activity (OR 3.83 [95% CI; 1.06 to 12.84]; p = 0.041), were identified as independent risk factors of sarcopenia. A trend was observed for hypermetabolism in multivariate analysis (OR 7.55 [95% CI; 0.79 to 72.03]; p = 0.079). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with intestinal insufficiency and intestinal failure are at immense risk of developing sarcopenia. Associated risk factors are excessive alcohol consumption, intestinal failure, and inflammatory activity.

Can We Rely on Predicted Basal Metabolic Rate in Patients With Intestinal Failure on Home Parenteral Nutrition?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Intestinal failure (IF) is a serious and common complication of short bowel syndrome with patients depending on parenteral nutrition (PN) support. Effective nutrition management requires an accurate estimation of the patient's basal metabolic rate (BMR) to avoid underfeeding or overfeeding. However, indirect calorimetry, considered the gold standard for BMR assessment, is a time- and resource-consuming procedure. Consequently, several equations for prediction of BMR have been developed in different settings, but their accuracy in patients with IF are yet to be investigated. We evaluated the accuracy of predicted BMR in clinically stable patients with IF dependent on home parenteral nutrition (HPN). METHODS: In total, 103 patients with IF were included. We used indirect calorimetry for assessment of BMR and calculated predicted BMR using different equations based on anthropometric and/or bioelectrical impedance parameters. The accuracy of predicted BMR was evaluated using Bland-Altman analysis with measured BMR as the gold standard. RESULTS: The average measured BMR was 1272 ± 245 kcal/d. The most accurate estimations of BMR were obtained using the Harris-Benedict equation (mean bias, 14 kcal/d [ P = .28]; limits of agreement [LoA], -238 to 266 kcal/d) and the Johnstone equation (mean bias, -16 kcal/d [ P = .24]; LoA, -285 to 253 kcal/d). For both equations, 67% of patients had a predicted BMR from 90%-110% All other equations demonstrated a statistically and clinically significant difference between measured and predicted BMR. CONCLUSIONS: The Harris-Benedict and Johnstone equations reliably predict BMR in two-thirds of clinically stable patients with IF on HPN.

Optimizing protein and energy intake in hospitals by improving individualized meal serving, hosting and the eating environment.

OBJECTIVE: Optimizing protein and energy intake by food in nutritional risk patients is difficult. The aim of this study was to improve the ≥75% of energy and protein requirements. We would like to see nurses take on the role of hosting the nutritional-risk patients, including focusing on bringing nutrition to the forefront in the collaboration between nurses and patients. METHODS: This was an interventional study that included patients admitted to the Departments of Infectious Diseases, Hematology, and Heart-Lung Surgery in a baseline and follow-up investigation. It included 24-h food intake registrations (FRs) for 3 d consecutively, a questionnaire, and a semistructured patient interview. The interventions included in this study helped to improve the eating environment and serving, integrated nutrition into the nurse-patient welcome interview, and targeted individual preferences and challenges for eating. RESULTS: The study comprised 76 24-h FRs at baseline and 108 FRs at follow-up. The total group had improved food intake; 75% of individual energy requirements were met by (67.6% vs. 40%; P = 0.036) and the Heart-Lung Surgery group (85.7 vs. 38.5; P = 0.036). This was not reflected for protein (NS). Energy intake improved for the entire group, albeit not significantly (P = 0.862). Patients reported being happy with the interventions regarding individualized food serving, nurse communication, and improved meal environments. CONCLUSION: Only insignificant improvements to overall energy intake were seen in two of the three departments and in the overall group, and no statistical or clinically significant improvements to protein intake were observed. The relative risk of meeting 75% of energy requirements was improved in the overall group and in patients in the Department of Heart-Lung Surgery. This did not include the meeting of protein requirements. Improvements were welcomed by patients and staff. Focus on individualized nutrition from the nursing staff also improved.

Can we rely on predicted basal metabolic rate in chronic pancreatitis outpatients?

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Malnutrition is a common complication to chronic pancreatitis (CP) and many patients need nutritional support. An accurate estimation of the basal metabolic rate (BMR) is essential when appropriate nutritional support is to be initiated, but in the clinical settings BMR is cumbersome to measure. We therefore investigated whether BMR can be reliable predicted from a standard formula (the Harris-Benedict equation) in CP outpatients. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with clinical stable CP and no current alcohol abuse were enrolled. Patients were stratified according to nutritional risk using the Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 system. Body composition was estimated using bioelectrical impedance. BMR was measured using indirect calorimetry and predicted using the Harris-Benedict equation based on anthropometric data. RESULTS: The average predicted BMR was 1371 ± 216 kcal/day compared to an average measured BMR of 1399 ± 231 kcal/day (P = 0.4). The corresponding limits of agreement were -347 to 290 kcal/day. Twenty-two patients (79%) had a measured BMR between 85 and 115% of the predicted BMR. When analysing patients stratified according to nutritional risk profiles, no differences between predicted and measured BMR were evident for any of the risk profile subgroups (all P > 0.2). The BMR was correlated to fat free mass determined by bioelectrical impedance (rho = 0.55; P = 0.003), while no effect modification was seen from nutritional risk stratification in a linear regression analysis (P = 0.4). CONCLUSION: The Harris-Benedict equation reliable predicts the measured BMR in four out of five clinical stable CP outpatients with no current alcohol abuse.