Relationship between oropharyngeal dysphagia, nutritional status, antioxidant vitamins and the inflammatory response in adults and elderly: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND & AIM: Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) can lead to a deficiency of antioxidant micronutrients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relation between OD and nutritional status, antioxidant vitamins (ß-carotene, vitamin E and C) and serum markers of the inflammatory response [C-reactive protein, myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-6] in adults and elderly. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 69 individuals: 22 in the control group (CG) and 47 in the OD group (ODG). The ODG was subdivided into ODG-mild = normal oral feeding (OF, n = 14), ODG-moderate (OF-modified, n = 22) and ODG-severe (OF-suspended, n = 11). Associations were investigated using multiple linear regression. RESULTS: The body mass index (BMI) was higher in the ODG compared to the CG (p = 0.008), independently of sex, age, energy intake (EI) and score on the Functional Independence Measure. BMI was significantly lower in the ODG-severe compared to the ODG-mild (p = 0.012). OD was associated with lower concentrations of ß-carotene (p < 0.001) and vitamin C (p < 0.001), independently of sex, age and EI, and higher concentrations of MPO (p = 0.008) and NOx (p = 0.011), independently of sex, age and the presence of comorbidities. CONCLUSION: Adults and elderly with OD have lower levels of antioxidant vitamins (ß-carotene and vitamin C) and a high inflammatory response (MPO and NOx). The evaluation of antioxidant vitamins could be incorporated in nutritional status assessment in this population.

Relationships between high comorbidity index and nutritional parameters in patients with Oropharyngeal Dysphagia.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) and comorbidities can exert an influence on nutritional status and contribute to mortality. The aim of the present study was to examine relationships between high Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scores and OD outcomes, including OD severity, feeding route, nutritional status and one-year mortality rate in adults and elderly individuals. METHODS: A longitudinal study, whose the final sample comprised 110 patients with OD and 75 of whom were evaluated for one-year mortality outcome. Swallowing (videofluoroscopy), nutritional status [body mass index (BMI)], CCI, type of feeding route, medications and hospitalization were evaluated. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to calculate the unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). RESULTS: Overall sample of the study were adults and elders with a median age (years) of 61.3 [interquartile range (IQR): 58.4-64.2]. The median CCI was 2.3 (IQR: 2.1-2.6) and the mortality rate was 10.8%. Hospitalization was significantly associated with underweight (p = 0.013) and number of medications (p = 0.023). After adjustment, sex/age and nº-Medications/Hospitalization (nº-M/H), CCI ≥3 was associated with nasogastric tube feeding (OR 4.57, 95%CI 1.59-13.1 and OR 3.39, 95%CI 1.21-9.51 respectively) and swallowing performance (OR 0.73, 95%CI 0.59-0.90 and OR 0.74, 95%CI 0.61-0.90 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A high CCI was associated with OD severity and feeding route, but not with nutritional status or mortality.

The relationship of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration with clinical variables in patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The relationship between vitamin D and oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration in patients with OD and to verify its association to nutritional status, functional independence measure (FIM), time of clinical signs (TCS) and OD severity. This is a cross-sectional study conducted with outpatients. Body mass index (BMI), FIM, TCS, causes of OD, comorbidities, penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) and severity scale were evaluated. METHODS: A multiple linear regression and effect size were performed to evaluate the association between serum 25(OH)D concentration and independent variables. RESULTS: Forty-eight participants were included, with a mean age of 60.1 ± 15.3 years. The mean of the 25(OH)D concentration was 26.10 ± 12.0 ng/mL. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D (<30 ng/mL) was 73%. In the multiple linear regression analysis (adjusted for sex, age, BMI, dietary intake and solar radiation), 25(OH)D concentration was significantly related with the TCS (p = 0.01, f2 = 0.48). Patients with hypovitaminosis D had a moderate effect (p = 0.08, δ = 0.36) for a lower FIM score. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that serum 25(OH)D concentration may be related to the TCS and the functional capacity of patients with OD.

Factors associated with malnutrition in adolescent and adult patients with cystic fibrosis / Fatores associados à desnutrição em pacientes adolescentes e adultos com fibrose cística

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the prevalence of malnutrition in patients attending an adult cystic fibrosis (CF) program and to investigate the associations of malnutrition with the clinical characteristics of those patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving patients with clinically stable CF patients (16 years of age or older). The patients underwent clinical assessment, nutritional assessments, pulmonary function tests, and pancreatic function assessment. They also completed a questionnaire regarding diet compliance. On the basis of their nutritional status, the patients were classified divided into three groups: adequate nutrition; at nutritional risk; and malnutrition. Results: The study has included 73 patients (mean age, 25.6 ± 7.3 years), 40 of whom (54.8%) were female. The mean body mass index was 21.0 ± 3.0 kg/m2 and the mean FEV1 was 59.7 ± 30.6% of predicted. In this sample of patients, 32 (43.8%), 23 (31.5%), and 18 (24.7%) of the patients were allocated to the adequate nutrition, nutritional risk, and malnutrition groups, respectively. The logistic regression analysis identified three independent factors associated with the risk of malnutrition: Shwachman-Kulczycki score, percent predicted FEV1; and age. Conclusions: Malnutrition remains a common complication in adolescents and adults with CF, despite dietary advice. Malnutrition is associated with age, clinical severity, and lung function impairment.

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência de desnutrição em pacientes de um programa para adultos com fibrose cística (FC) e investigar a relação da desnutrição com as características clínicas desses pacientes. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal com pacientes com FC clinicamente estáveis (com 16 anos de idade ou mais). Os pacientes foram submetidos a avaliação clínica, avaliação nutricional, testes de função pulmonar e avaliação da função pancreática. Eles também preencheram um questionário sobre sua adesão à dieta proposta. Os pacientes foram divididos em três grupos, de acordo com seu estado nutricional: nutrição adequada, risco nutricional e desnutrição. Resultados: O estudo incluiu 73 pacientes (média de idade: 25,6 ± 7,3 anos), dos quais 40 (54,8%) eram do sexo feminino. A média do índice de massa corporal foi de 21,0 ± 3,0 kg/m2, e a média do VEF1 foi de 59,7 ± 30,6% do previsto. Nessa amostra de pacientes, 32 (43,8%) ficaram no grupo com nutrição adequada, 23 (31,5%) ficaram no grupo com risco nutricional e 18 (24,7%) ficaram no grupo com desnutrição. A análise de regressão logística identificou três fatores independentes relacionados com o risco de desnutrição: escore de Shwachman-Kulczycki, VEF1 em % do previsto e idade. Conclusões: A desnutrição ainda é uma complicação comum em adolescentes e adultos com FC, não obstante o aconselhamento dietético. A desnutrição está relacionada com a idade, a gravidade clínica e o comprometimento da função pulmonar.

Factors associated with malnutrition in adolescent and adult patients with cystic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of malnutrition in patients attending an adult cystic fibrosis (CF) program and to investigate the associations of malnutrition with the clinical characteristics of those patients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving patients with clinically stable CF patients (16 years of age or older). The patients underwent clinical assessment, nutritional assessments, pulmonary function tests, and pancreatic function assessment. They also completed a questionnaire regarding diet compliance. On the basis of their nutritional status, the patients were classified divided into three groups: adequate nutrition; at nutritional risk; and malnutrition. RESULTS: The study has included 73 patients (mean age, 25.6 ± 7.3 years), 40 of whom (54.8%) were female. The mean body mass index was 21.0 ± 3.0 kg/m2 and the mean FEV1 was 59.7 ± 30.6% of predicted. In this sample of patients, 32 (43.8%), 23 (31.5%), and 18 (24.7%) of the patients were allocated to the adequate nutrition, nutritional risk, and malnutrition groups, respectively. The logistic regression analysis identified three independent factors associated with the risk of malnutrition: Shwachman-Kulczycki score, percent predicted FEV1; and age. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition remains a common complication in adolescents and adults with CF, despite dietary advice. Malnutrition is associated with age, clinical severity, and lung function impairment.

Imunonutrição em pacientes com sepse?: [revisão] / Immunonutrition in patients with sepsis?: [review]

Objetivos: revisar os conhecimentos atuais sobre o uso de imunonutrientes em pacientes críticos, especialmente naqueles com sepse.Fonte de dados: foi realizada uma revisão narrativa da literatura, utilizando as bases de dados Medline/Pubmed. Os artigos pesquisados compreendem publicações entre 2000 e 2011. Foram incluídos também artigos obtidos em referências bibliográficas dos artigos com maior relevância. Foram selecionados trabalhos referentes a indivíduos humanos adultos.Síntese dos dados: os estudos utilizaram diferentes fórmulas contendo imunonutrientes, nem sempre com os mesmos imunomoduladores. A quantidade administrada também variou de acordo com o tipo de fórmula, a tolerância do paciente e a via de administração. Efeitos favoráveis e desfavoráveis resultaram da administração de dietas enriquecidas com nutrientes imunomoduladores em pacientes com sepse.Conclusões: a literatura é bastante controversa em relação à recomendação do uso de imunonutrientes em pacientes críticos, sobretudo naqueles com sepse. Ainda não há resultados consistentes sobre a eficiência e a segurança da imunonutrição nesses pacientes. São necessários estudos com desenho metodológico e população mais homogêneos, utilizando imunonutrientes isolados e com quantidades definidas.

Aims: To review the current knowledge on the use of immunonutrients in critically ill patients, especially those with sepsis.Source of data: A narrative review of the literature was conducted, using the Medline/Pubmed data bases. The selected articles included publications between 2000 and 2011. Articles cited in reference lists of articles with the highest relevance were also included. Works on adult human individuals were selected.Summary of findings: Studies used different formulas containing immunonutrients, not always with the same immunomodulators. The given amount varied according to the type of formula, the patient?s tolerance and the route of administration. Favorable and unfavorable effects appeared as a result of administration of diets enriched with immunomodulator nutrients in patients with sepsis.Conclusions: Literature is controversial regarding the recommendation to use immunonutrients in critically ill patients, especially those with sepsis. There is currently no evidence to define the efficiency and safety of immunonutrition in these patients. For more consistent results, studies should be conducted with more homogeneous methodological design and population, using isolated immunonutrients in defined dosis.