Impact of COVID-19 in nutritional and functional status of survivors admitted in intensive care units during the first outbreak. Preliminary results of the NUTRICOVID study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: COVID-19 patients present a high hospitalization rate with a high mortality risk for those requiring intensive care. When these patients have other comorbid conditions and older age, the risk for severe disease and poor outcomes after ICU admission are increased. The present work aims to describe the preliminary results of the ongoing NUTRICOVID study about the nutritional and functional status and the quality of life of adult COVID-19 survivors after ICU discharge, emphasizing the in-hospital and discharge situation of this population. METHODS: A multicenter, ambispective, observational cohort study was conducted in 16 public hospitals of the Community of Madrid with COVID-19 survivors who were admitted to the ICU during the first outbreak. Preliminary results of this study include data retrospectively collected. Malnutrition and sarcopenia were screened at discharge using MUST and SARC-F; the use of healthcare resources was measured as the length of hospital stay and requirement of respiratory support and tracheostomy during hospitalization; other study variables were the need for medical nutrition therapy (MNT); and patients' functional status (Barthel index) and health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L). RESULTS: A total of 176 patients were included in this preliminary analysis. Most patients were male and older than 60 years, who suffered an average (SD) weight loss of 16.6% (8.3%) during the hospital stay, with a median length of stay of 53 (27-89.5) days and a median ICU stay of 24.5 (11-43.5) days. At discharge, 83.5% and 86.9% of the patients were at risk of malnutrition and sarcopenia, respectively, but only 38% were prescribed MNT. In addition, more than 70% of patients had significant impairment of their mobility and to conduct their usual activities at hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary analysis evidences the high nutritional and functional impairment of COVID-19 survivors at hospital discharge and highlights the need for guidelines and systematic protocols, together with appropriate rehabilitation programs, to optimize the nutritional management of these patients after discharge.

[Primary trimethylaminuria: the fish odor syndrome]. / Trimetilaminuria: el síndrome de olor a pescado.

Primary trimethylaminuria, or fish odor syndrome, is a congenital metabolic disorder characterized by a failure in the hepatic trimethylamine (TMA) oxidation route to trimethylamine N-oxide (TMANO). TMA is mostly derived from dietary precursors such as choline, carnitine and TMANO. The presence of abnormal amounts of TMA in the urine, sweat, exhaled air and other body secretions confers a very unpleasant body odor resembling that of decaying fish. As a consequence, patients can suffer from serious psychosocial sequelae. We present a case of primary trimethylaminuria with the aim of raising awareness about this condition.

Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia: review of three cases.

Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia, also denominated familial benign hypercalcemia, is an uncommon cause of hypercalcemia. It is caused by mutations of the calcium-sensing receptor, which are inherited in an autosomal dominant high-penetrance fashion. Generally, patients are asymptomatic, and heterozygote cases are diagnosed in childhood or adulthood, when diagnostic work-up of an incidentally discovered hypercalcemia ensues. This disorder is characterized by moderate hypercalcemia, with normal parathormone levels and low urine calcium excretion. It is very important to diagnose this condition, as it does not require surgical procedures, unlike primary hyperparathyroidism, which needs parathyroidectomy in 50% of cases. We present 3 cases of familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia belonging to the same family, and provide an updated review on the topic.

Giant adrenal myelolipoma: case report and literature review.

Adrenal myelolipomas are rare benign tumors comprising mature adipose tissue and diverse hematopoietic elements. These neoplasms are usually incidental findings, although bulky masses can generate abdominal pain as well as other symptoms related to compression of adjacent organs. Diagnosis is usually provided by ultrasonography or computed tomography. Asymptomatic patients with tumors with a maximum diameter of less than 6cm can benefit from periodic surveillance, whereas local compression symptoms and size larger than 6cm are indications for surgical treatment. We present a case of giant adrenal myelolipoma and provide a review of the literature.