'Phos'tering a Clear Message: The Evolution of Dietary Phosphorus Management in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Phosphorus is a vital nutrient, but disturbances in phosphorus homeostasis are central to chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder. To minimize disturbances, traditional dietary guidance focused on a numerical phosphorus target leading to the exclusion of many healthy foods and implementation challenges. Contemporary phosphorus guidance focuses on dietary source, avoiding additives, and emphasizing low-phosphorus bioaccessibility foods, leading to a more liberal approach. Additional work is needed to demonstrate the efficacy of these contemporary approaches and understand the influence of specific foods, processing, and cooking methods. Unfortunately, patient education using traditional and contemporary strategies may give mixed messages, particularly related to plant-based foods. Thus, greater clarity on the effects of specific foods and dietary patterns may improve phosphorus education. This review aims to discuss the evolution of dietary phosphorus management while highlighting areas for future research that can help move the field toward stronger evidence-based guidance to prevent and treat hyperphosphatemia.

Deconstructing Disease-Related Malnutrition: A New Assessment Framework for Clinical Practice.

Protein-energy wasting (PEW) is a key cause of functional impairment and poor health outcomes in people with chronic kidney disease. While PEW can be mitigated with nutrition therapy, it is a complex myriad of disorders with numerous interacting etiologies and corresponding presentations, which make it difficult to diagnose and manage in practice. A variety of scoring rubrics have been developed to facilitate malnutrition assessment. Although these tools have greatly benefited the recognition and treatment of PEW, the typical format of grading specified PEW indicators has the potential to overlook or overstate highly relevant individual-specific factors. This review presents a simple framework for malnutrition assessment that can be used to complement and evaluate conventional assessment tools. Unlike standard tools, which are designed to identify and rate malnutrition risk and severity, the malnutrition framework is conceptual model that organizes PEW assessment into three distinct, but interacting facets of PEW risk: nutrient balance, nutrition status, and malnutrition risk. The new framework encourages critical thinking about PEW risk that may help clinicians plan and interpret assessments to efficiently and effectively manage this condition.

Predictors of nutrition care process knowledge and use among dietitians internationally.

BACKGROUND: The nutrition care process (NCP) and its associated standardised terminology (NCPT, referred to collectively as NCP/T) forms a problem-solving framework fundamental to dietetic practice. Global implementation would assist in confirming outcomes from dietetic care, but implementation rates have varied between countries. We investigated which factors predict NCP/T knowledge and use among dietetic professionals in an international cohort, aiming to understand how implementation can be strengthened. METHODS: The validated International NCP Implementation Survey was disseminated to dietitians in 10 countries via professional networks. Implementation, attitudes and knowledge of the NCP/T along with workplace and educational data were assessed. Independent predictive factors associated with higher NCP/T knowledge and use were identified using backward stepwise logistic regression. RESULTS: Data from 6149 respondents was used for this analysis. Enablers that were independent predictors of both high knowledge and frequent use of NCP/T were peer support, recommendation from national dietetic association and workplace requirements (all p < 0.001). Country of residence and working in clinical settings (p < 0.001) were demographic characteristics that were independent predictors of high knowledge and frequent use of NCP/T. A high knowledge score was an independent predictor of frequent NCP/T use (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Important modifiable enablers for NCP knowledge and use rely on organisational management. National dietetic organisations and key stakeholders such as employers are encouraged to integrate active NCP/T support in their leadership initiatives. This could take the form of policies, formalised and structured training strategies, and informatics initiatives for the integration in electronic health records.

Use of the Nutrition Care Process and Nutrition Care Process Terminology in an International Cohort Reported by an Online Survey Tool.

BACKGROUND: Dietitians in countries across the world have been implementing the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) and Terminology (NCPT) during the past decade. The implementation process has been evaluated in specific countries and in smaller international studies; however, no large international study comparing implementation between countries has been completed. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe and compare the level of NCP/NCPT implementation across 10 countries. METHODS: A previously tested web-based survey was completed in 2017 by 6,719 dietitians across 10 countries. Participants were recruited through e-mail lists, e-newsletters, and social media groups for dietitians. Nondietitians were excluded through screening questions and targeted dissemination channels. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The main outcome of interest was the level of implementation of each of the four NCP steps. Differences in implementation between the NCP (process) and NCPT (terminology) were also measured. Differences between groups were assessed using Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test. Multiple linear regression was used to assess relationships between the main outcomes and respondent demographic information. RESULTS: Australia, New Zealand, and the United States had higher implementation rates compared with other countries surveyed. Awareness of the NCP was high in most countries (>90%) but lower in Greece (50%). All countries had a higher implementation level of the NCP (process) compared with the NCPT (terminology). Dietitians working with inpatients reported the highest implementation levels while those working in public health reported the lowest. CONCLUSIONS: Dietitians in countries with more experience in NCP/NCPT implementation and a clear implementation strategy had higher levels of implementation. To achieve a successful NCP/NCPT implementation among dietitians, there is a need to promote the value of a standardized dietetic language together with the more easily implemented process. There is also a need to promote NCP/NCPT for all areas of practice, and develop strategic plans for implementation of the NCP and NCPT.

The International Nutrition Care Process and Terminology Implementation Survey: Towards a Global Evaluation Tool to Assess Individual Practitioner Implementation in Multiple Countries and Languages.

BACKGROUND: The Nutrition Care Process (NCP) and NCP Terminology (NCPT) is a systematic framework for critical thinking, decision making, and communication for dietetics practitioners worldwide, aiming to improve quality and patient safety in nutrition care. Although dietetics practitioners in several countries have implemented the NCP/NCPT during recent years, to date there is no globally validated instrument for the evaluation of NCP/NCPT implementation that is available in different languages and applicable across cultures and countries. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop and test a survey instrument in several languages to capture information at different stages of NCP/NCPT implementation across countries and cultures. SETTING: In this collaboration between dietetics practitioners and researchers from 10 countries, an International NCP/NCPT Implementation Survey tool was developed and tested in a multistep process, building on the experiences from previous surveys. The tool was translated from English into six other languages. It includes four modules and describes demographic information, NCP/NCPT implementation, and related attitudes and knowledge. METHODS: The survey was reviewed by 42 experts across 10 countries to assess content validity and clarity. After this, 30 dietetics practitioners participated in cognitive interviews while completing the survey. A pilot study was performed with 210 participants, of whom 40 completed the survey twice within a 2- to 3-week interval. RESULTS: Scale content validity index average was 0.98 and question clarity index was 0.8 to 1.0. Cognitive interviews and comments from experts led to further clarifications of the survey. The repeated pilot test resulted in Krippendorff's α=.75. Subsequently, refinements of the survey were made based on comments submitted by the pilot survey participants. CONCLUSIONS: The International NCP/NCPT Implementation Survey tool demonstrated excellent content validity and high test-retest reliability in seven different languages and across an international context. This tool will be valuable in future research and evaluation of implementation strategies.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Intensive Nutrition Intervention Versus Standard Nutrition Care to Avoid Excess Weight Gain After Kidney Transplantation: The INTENT Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Excessive weight gain is common after kidney transplantation and increases cardiovascular risk. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to determine whether an intensive nutrition and exercise intervention delivered alongside routine post-transplant care would reduce post-transplant weight gain. DESIGN: Single-blind, randomized controlled trial. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: Adult kidney transplant recipients at a regional transplant center were recruited during routine outpatient clinic visits in the first month after transplant. Patients with a body mass index >40 kg/m2 or <18.5 kg/m2, severe malnutrition, or ongoing medical complications were excluded. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomized to intensive nutrition intervention (individualized nutrition and exercise counselling; 12 dietitian visits; 3 exercise physiologist visits over 12 months) or to standard nutrition care (guideline based; 4 dietitian visits). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was weight at 6 months after transplant adjusted for baseline weight, obesity, and gender, analyzed using analysis of covariance. The secondary outcomes included body composition, biochemistry, quality of life, and physical function. RESULTS: Thirty-seven participants were randomized to the intensive intervention (n = 19) or to standard care (n = 18); one intensive group participant withdrew before baseline. Weight increased between baseline, 6 and 12 months (78.0 ± 13.7 [standard deviation], 79.6 ± 13.0 kg, 81.6 ± 12.9 kg; mean change 4.6% P < .001) but at 6 months did not differ significantly between the groups: 77.0 ± 12.4 kg (intensive); 82.2 ± 13.4 kg (standard); difference in adjusted means 0.4 kg (95% confidence interval: -2.2 to 3.0 kg); analysis of covariance P = .7. No between-group differences in secondary outcomes were observed. Across the whole cohort, total body protein and physical function (gait speed, sit to stand, grip strength, physical activity, and quality of life [all but 2 domains]) improved. However, adverse changes were seen for total body fat, HbA1c, and fasting glucose across the cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Kidney transplant recipients in the first year after transplant did not benefit from an intensive nutrition intervention compared with standard nutrition care, although weight gain was relatively modest in both groups.

The effect of intensive nutrition interventions on weight gain after kidney transplantation: protocol of a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Weight gain and obesity are common after kidney transplantation, particularly during the first year. Obesity is a risk factor for the development of new-onset diabetes after transplantation, and is associated with reduced graft survival. There is a lack of evidence for effective interventions to prevent weight gain after kidney transplantation. METHODS/DESIGN: The effect of INTEnsive Nutrition interventions on weight gain after kidney Transplantation (INTENT) trial is a single-blind (outcomes assessor), randomised controlled trial to assess the effect of intensive nutrition interventions, including exercise advice, on weight gain and metabolic parameters in the first year after transplantation. Participants will be randomised during the first post-transplant month to either standard care (four visits with a renal dietitian over twelve months) or intensive nutrition intervention (eight visits with a renal dietitian over the first six months, four visits over the second six months, and three visits over the first six months with an exercise physiologist). In the intensive intervention group, nutrition counselling will be provided using motivational interviewing techniques to encourage quality engagement. Collaborative goal setting will be used to develop personalised nutrition care plans. Individualised advice regarding physical activity will be provided by an exercise physiologist. The primary outcome of the study is weight at six months after transplant, adjusted for baseline (one month post-transplant) weight, obesity and gender. Secondary outcomes will include changes in weight and other anthropometric measures over 12 months, body composition (in vivo neutron activation analysis, total body potassium, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and bioelectrical impedance), biochemistry (fasting glucose, lipids, haemoglobin A1c and insulin), dietary intake and nutritional status, quality of life, and physical function. DISCUSSION: There are currently few randomised clinical trials of nutrition interventions after kidney transplantation. The INTENT trial will thus provide important data on the effect of intensive nutrition interventions on weight gain after transplant and the associated metabolic consequences. Additionally, by assessing changes in glucose metabolism, the study will also provide data on the feasibility of undertaking larger multi-centre trials of nutrition interventions to reduce the incidence or severity of diabetes after transplantation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Number: ACTRN12614000155695.

Epidermolysis bullosa with late-onset muscular dystrophy and plectin deficiency.

Epidermolysis bullosa associated with muscular dystrophy is a rare, autosomal recessive form of epidermolysis bullosa simplex caused by mutations in the plectin gene, PLEC1. We describe a phenotypically mild case due to compound heterozygous mutations in PLEC1 (2677_2685del and the novel mutation Q1644X). Clinical features included mild skin blistering since birth, slowly progressive and late-onset upper limb-predominant weakness, facial weakness, ptosis, incomplete ophthalmoplegia, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.