Suitability and Allocation of Protein-Containing Foods According to Protein Tolerance in PKU: A 2022 UK National Consensus.

Introduction: There is little practical guidance about suitable food choices for higher natural protein tolerances in patients with phenylketonuria (PKU). This is particularly important to consider with the introduction of adjunct pharmaceutical treatments that may improve protein tolerance. Aim: To develop a set of guidelines for the introduction of higher protein foods into the diets of patients with PKU who tolerate >10 g/day of protein. Methods: In January 2022, a 26-item food group questionnaire, listing a range of foods containing protein from 5 to >20 g/100 g, was sent to all British Inherited Metabolic Disease Group (BIMDG) dietitians (n = 80; 26 Inherited Metabolic Disease [IMD] centres). They were asked to consider within their IMD dietetic team when they would recommend introducing each of the 26 protein-containing food groups into a patient's diet who tolerated >10 g to 60 g/day of protein. The patient protein tolerance for each food group that received the majority vote from IMD dietetic teams was chosen as its tolerance threshold for introduction. A virtual meeting was held using Delphi methodology in March 2022 to discuss and agree final consensus. Results: Responses were received from dietitians from 22/26 IMD centres (85%) (11 paediatric, 11 adult). For patients tolerating protein ≥15 g/day, the following foods were agreed for inclusion: gluten-free pastas, gluten-free flours, regular bread, cheese spreads, soft cheese, and lentils in brine; for protein tolerance ≥20 g/day: nuts, hard cheeses, regular flours, meat/fish, and plant-based alternative products (containing 5−10 g/100 g protein), regular pasta, seeds, eggs, dried legumes, and yeast extract spreads were added; for protein tolerance ≥30 g/day: meat/fish and plant-based alternative products (containing >10−20 g/100 g protein) were added; and for protein tolerance ≥40 g/day: meat/fish and plant-based alternatives (containing >20 g/100 g protein) were added. Conclusion: This UK consensus by IMD dietitians from 22 UK centres describes for the first time the suitability and allocation of higher protein foods according to individual patient protein tolerance. It provides valuable guidance for health professionals to enable them to standardize practice and give rational advice to patients.

UK Dietary Practices for Tyrosinaemias: Time for Change.

In the UK, different dietary systems are used to calculate protein or tyrosine/phenylalanine intake in the dietary management of hereditary tyrosinaemia, HTI, II and III (HT), with no systematic evidence comparing the merits and inadequacies of each. This study aimed to examine the current UK dietary practices in all HTs and, using Delphi methodology, to reach consensus agreement about the best dietary management system. Over 12 months, five meetings were held with UK paediatric and adult dietitians working in inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs) managing HTs. Eleven statements on the dietary system for calculating protein or tyrosine/phenylalanine intake were discussed. Dietitians from 12 of 14 IMD centres caring for HT patients participated, and 7/11 statements were agreed with one Delphi round. Nine centres (three abstentions) supported a 1 g protein exchange system for all foods except fruit and vegetables. The same definitions used in the UK for phenylketonuria (PKU) were adopted to define when to calculate foods as part of a protein exchange system or permit them without measurement. Fruit and vegetables contain a lower amount of tyrosine/phenylalanine per 1 g of protein than animal and cereal foods. The correlation of tyrosine vs. phenylalanine (mg/100 g) for vegetables and fruits was high (r = 0.9). In Delphi round 2, agreement was reached to use the tyrosine/phenylalanine analyses of fruits/vegetables, for their allocation within the HT diet. This allowed larger portion sizes of measured fruits and vegetables and increased the variety of fruit and vegetables that could be eaten without measurement. In HTs, a combined dietary management system will be used: 1 g protein exchanges for cereal and milk protein sources and tyrosine/phenylalanine exchanges for fruit and vegetables. Intensive, systematic communication with IMD dietitians and reappraisal of the evidence has redefined and harmonised HT dietary practice across the UK.

International Recommendations for the Management of Adults Treated With Ketogenic Diet Therapies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate current clinical practices and evidence-based literature to establish preliminary recommendations for the management of adults using ketogenic diet therapies (KDTs). METHODS: A 12-topic survey was distributed to international experts on KDTs in adults consisting of neurologists and dietitians at medical institutions providing KDTs to adults with epilepsy and other neurologic disorders. Panel survey responses were tabulated by the authors to determine the common and disparate practices between institutions and to compare these practices in adults with KDT recommendations in children and the medical literature. Recommendations are based on a combination of clinical evidence and expert opinion regarding management of KDTs. RESULTS: Surveys were obtained from 20 medical institutions with >2,000 adult patients treated with KDTs for epilepsy or other neurologic disorders. Common side effects reported are similar to those observed in children, and recommendations for management are comparable with important distinctions, which are emphasized. Institutions differ with regard to recommended biochemical assessment, screening, monitoring, and concern for long-term side effects, and further investigation is warranted to determine the optimal clinical management. Differences also exist between screening and monitoring practices among adult and pediatric providers. CONCLUSIONS: KDTs may be safe and effective in treating adults with drug-resistant epilepsy, and there is emerging evidence supporting the use in other adult neurologic disorders and general medical conditions as well. Therefore, expert recommendations to guide optimal care are critical as well as further evidence-based investigation.

Biochemical assessment of patients following ketogenic diets for epilepsy: Current practice in the UK and Ireland.

OBJECTIVE: Biochemical assessment is recommended for patients prior to initiating and following a ketogenic diet (KD). There is no published literature regarding current practice in the UK and Ireland. We aimed to explore practice in comparison with international guidelines, determine approximate costs of biochemical testing in KD patients across the UK and Ireland, and promote greater consistency in KD services nationally. METHODS: A survey was designed to determine the biochemical tests requested for patients at baseline, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months + on KD. The survey was circulated to 39 centers across the UK and Ireland. RESULTS: Sixteen centers completed the survey. Full blood count, electrolytes, calcium, liver function tests (LFTs), lipid profile, and vitamin D were requested at all centers at baseline, in keeping with international guidelines. Bicarbonate, total protein, and urinalysis were less consistently requested. Magnesium and zinc were requested by all centers, despite not being specifically recommended for pre-diet evaluation in guidelines. Urea and electrolyte profiles and some LFTs were consistently requested at follow-up, in accordance with guidelines. Other LFTs and renal tests, full blood count, lipid profile, acylcarnitine profile, selenium, vitamin D, and urinalysis were less consistently requested at follow-up. The mean costs of the lowest and highest number of tests requested at baseline in our participating centers were £167.54 and £501.93; the mean costs of the lowest and highest number of tests requested at 3-month follow-up were £19.17 and £450.06. SIGNIFICANCE: Biochemical monitoring of KD patients varies widely across the UK and Ireland and does not fully correspond to international best practice guidelines. With an ongoing drive for cost-effectiveness within health care, further work is needed to streamline practice while ensuring patient safety.

Community mobilization and its application to youth violence prevention.

In addressing health and social issues, there has been a shift since the 1990s to approaches that focus more on making comprehensive community-based changes to affect individual behavior. This article provides an overview of community mobilization to engage community members in the process of addressing social and health issues, discusses current models, and provides a case study. The balance of the article looks at other efforts reported in this supplement, and the ways in which they have used community mobilization as a viable strategy for preventing youth violence.