Adherence and impact of an oral nutritional supplement enriched in leucine, EVOO, EPA and DHA, and beta-glucans on the coverage of energy and protein requirements in patients with cancer and malnutrition: Alisenoc study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of an enhanced ONS (enriched in EPA, DHA, leucine, and beta-glucans) on the dietary intake of cancer patients. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, parallel, controlled, and multicenter clinical trial was conducted in patients with cancer and malnutrition. The trial compared prescribed dietary advice and two packs per day, for 8 weeks, of a hypercaloric (400 kcal/pack) and hyperproteic ONS (20 g/pack) with fiber and specific ingredients (leucine, EPA and DHA, and beta-glucans) (enhanced-ONS) versus an isocaloric and isoproteic formula (standard-ONS) without specific ingredients. Food intake was assessed with a 3-day dietary survey, and adherence to the supplement with a patient self-completed diary. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients completed the intervention period. The combined intervention of dietary advice and ONS managed to increase the energy intake of the overall cohort by 792.55 (378.57) kcal/day, protein by 40.72 (19.56) g/day. Increases in energy and nutrient intakes were observed in both groups, both in dietary intake and associated exclusively with the supplement. The group that received the enhanced-ONS ingested a greater volume of product when there was a greater severity of malnutrition; a tumor location in the head, neck, upper digestive area, liver, or pancreas; more advanced stages of the tumor; or the receipt of more than one antineoplastic treatment. CONCLUSION: The use of an enhanced-ONS helps meet the nutritional requirements of cancer patients, especially those who have a more compromised clinical condition, with high adherence, good tolerance, and acceptance.

[Selective pituitary resistance to thyroid hormone in a patient treated with amiodarone]. / Resistencia hipofisaria a las hormonas tiroideas en un paciente tratado con amiodarona.

Selective pituitary resistance to thyroid hormones is a syndrome that involves inadequate response of thyroid-stimulating hormone to changes in thyroid hormones. Unlike generalized resistance syndromes, this entity produces central hyperthyroidism and clinical thyrotoxicosis. Sometimes the disease may not be properly diagnosed and is treated with drugs with harmful effects on the thyroid, such as amiodarone, hampering diagnosis and possibly exacerbating the disorder. The treatment of this condition can be symptomatic, based on control of tachycardia and anxiety, or etiological, acting on the pituitary to regulate thyrotropin secretion or on the thyroid gland to control thyroid hormone production. We report the case of a patient with pituitary resistance to thyroid hormone, who was treated with amiodarone to control paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Development of hyponatremia in non-critical patients receiving total parenteral nutrition: A prospective, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hyponatremia is frequent in hospitalized patients, especially in those receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Furthermore, the presence of hyponatremia is associated with increased morbimortality in both groups. The goal of this study is to describe the prevalence of hyponatremia developing during TPN in non-critical patients, and identify risk factors for its appearance. METHODS: This prospective multicenter study involved 19 Spanish hospitals. Noncritically-ill patients prescribed TPN over a 9-month period were studied. Variables analyzed demographic characteristics, prior comorbidities, drug therapy, PN composition, additional iv fluids, and serum sodium levels. RESULTS: A total of 543 patients were recruited, 60.2% males. Age: 67 (IR 57-76). Of 466/543 who were eunatremic when starting TPN, 18% developed hyponatremia (serum sodium < 135 mmol/L) during TPN. Independent risk factors identified by logistic regression analysis: female (OR 1.74 [95% CI = 1.04-2.92], p = 0.036); severe malnutrition (OR 2.15 [95% CI = 1.16-4.35], p = 0.033); opiates (OR 1.97 [95% CI = 1.10-3.73], p = 0.036); and nausea/vomiting (OR 1.75 [95% CI = 1.04-2.94], p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: Previously eunatremic patients frequently develop hyponatremia while receiving TPN. In this group, severe malnutrition is an independent risk factor for hyponatremia, as well as previously described risk factors: opiates, nausea/vomiting, and female gender.