Awareness and Self-Reported Knowledge and Training on Nutrition in Older People among Primary Care Practitioners.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the awareness and training of primary care physicians on nutrition in older patients. DESIGN: Observational, real-world data survey. SETTING: Primary Care. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred sixty-two physicians, generalists and specialists, working in primary care. MEASUREMENTS: Participants received an online questionnaire with 18 questions concerning the importance of nutrition, degree of knowledge, needs, and training in nutrition. The results were evaluated using univariate descriptive analysis, with a percentage for each chosen answer. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate if answers were related to training in nutrition and professional experience. RESULTS: 43.2% of participants reported that nutrition is very important in individuals over 65 years old, and 90% were aware of the importance of nutrition in healthy aging. Nutritional problems affect 30 to 50% of patients, according to 44.7% of participants. 89.2% agree about the need for nutritional assessment in older patients; however, the professionals believe they should be better prepared. Two out of three respondents consider the training received in nutrition during their undergraduate course or continuing medical education as deficient. Time of professional practice was mainly associated with conceptual facts, while continuing medical education did with practical issues, mainly the use of screening and diagnostic tools [FRAIL (OR: 3.16; 95%IC: 1.55-6.46), MNA-SF (OR: 6.455; 95%IC: 2.980-13.981) and SARC-F (OR: 3.063; 95%IC: 1.284-7.309)]. CONCLUSION: Although primary care professionals are aware of the importance of nutrition in older patients, there are still gaps in daily practice that could be improved by developing educational strategies.

Long-term outcomes in critically ill patients who survived COVID-19: The NUTRICOVID observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Malnutrition and sarcopenia may last beyond hospital discharge, especially in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU), having a negative impact on patient recovery and leading to disability, poor quality of life, and additional morbidity. No prior evidence is available for post-ICU management and follow-up of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and their long-term evolution. This study reports on the one-year-long evolution of a cohort of COVID-19 survivors after ICU discharge, in terms of nutritional and functional status as well as health-related quality of life (HRQoL). METHODS: A multicenter, ambispective, observational cohort study (NUTRICOVID study) was conducted in 16 public hospitals located in the Community of Madrid with COVID-19 survivors who were admitted to ICU during the first outbreak. Retrospective and prospective data were collected from hospital admission to one year after discharge. At hospital discharge and at 3, 6 and 12 months post-discharge, the following outcomes were recorded: weight, risk of malnutrition (MUST) and sarcopenia (SARC-F), medical nutrition therapy (MNT), functional status (Barthel index), and HRQoL (EQ-5D-5L). RESULTS: A total of 199 patients (70.4% male, mean age [SD] of 60.7 [10.1]) were included in the study. At hospital discharge, mean weight loss was 16.4% (8.0%), whereas most patients gained weight after discharge with an increase of 16.5% (14.0%) at 12 months. The proportion of patients at high risk of malnutrition decreased from 83.2% at hospital discharge to 2.1% at 12 months. The proportion at risk of sarcopenia decreased from 86.9% at hospital discharge to 13.4% at 12 months. At hospital discharge, 69 patients received MNT by means of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) while two patients required enteral nutrition (EN). At 12 months, only 12 patients continued taking ONS, with no patients taking EN. Regarding functional status, 72.9% of patients were moderately or severely dependent at hospital discharge, whereas 87.2% showed low dependency or independency after 12 months. The EQ-VAS values increased from hospital discharge (39 [21.2]) to 6 months post-discharge and remained steady up to 12 months (72.7 [19.0]). The mean health value improved from hospital discharge (0.25 [0.41]) to 6 months post-discharge (0.80 [0.24]) and was maintained thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' nutritional and functional impairment at hospital discharge was high, with high dependency status and low HRQoL; however, their situation improved progressively during the 12 months following hospital discharge. Nevertheless, there is a need to define early strategies to optimize the nutritional and functional recovery of COVID-19 patients.

[Is older age a limit factor when considering health resources? The case of home parenteral nutrition]. / ¿Es la edad un factor limitante en la distribución de recursos?: Nutrición parenteral domiciliaria en el paciente anciano.

UNLABELLED: Some bioethicists consider older age as a limiting factor for receiving special medical care. Older adults comprise the majority of home enteral nutrition patients (neoplams of the head, neck, and upper gastrointestinal tract neuromuscular swallowing disorders, dementia, etc) On the contrary, there are very few data on Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) in the elderly. We report these of a 75 years old man affected from a severe short bowel syndrome due to mesenteric thrombosis. After a hospital stay of two months he was sent home on HPN. His current caregiver was her wife, a 72 year old woman suffering from incipient Parkinson's disease. HPN lasted for 11 years and was stopped because of clinical deterioration. During this time he presented 5 catheter- related infections (1.3 episodes/1,000 days). 5 catheters were used (average length 788 days). He was hospitalized four times because of HPN complications. Functional status was maintained along almost all the length of HPN. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of complications in this patient was similar to other groups of age receiving HPN. The technique was not burdensome for the family. Older age cannot be consider, by itself a limiting factor when receiving long term nutritional support.

Nutritional support and parenteral nutrition in cancer patients: an expert consensus report.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is a frequent medical problem of cancer patients that negatively impacts their quality of life. METHODS: A multidisciplinary group of experts in Medical Oncology, Pharmacy, and Nutrition convened to discuss the management of the nutritional support in cancer patients. RESULTS: Of the 18 questions addressed, 9 focused on nutritional support, 5 were related to parenteral nutrition (PN) and 4 about home PN (HPN). The panel of experts recommends using nutritional screening routinely, at diagnosis and throughout the disease course, for detecting the risk of malnutrition and, if it is positive, to perform a complete nutritional assessment, to diagnose malnutrition. Currently, there are different screening tools and methods that allow us to detect nutritional risk. Based on the evidence and experience, the panel stated that PN is indicated mainly when it is not possible to use the digestive tract and/or oral feeding and/or enteral nutrition is not sufficient or possible. The nutritional needs of the cancer patients, except in those cases where individualized measures are required, should be considered similar to healthy individuals (25-30 kcal/kg/day). The panel considers that the nutritional monitoring of the cancer patient should be multidisciplinary and adapted to the characteristics of each center. Additionally, the objective of the HPN is to improve or maintain the nutritional status of a patient at home. CONCLUSIONS: This document seeks to lay down a set of recommendations and to identify key issues that may be useful for the nutritional management of cancer patients.

[Surveillance on fundamental principles in home artificial nutrition]. / Encuesta sobre aspectos eticos en nutrición artificial domiciliaria.

UNLABELLED: Artificial nutrition has been seen by clinicians as a medical treatment that patients or their surrogates may accept or refuse on the basis of the same considerations that guide other treatment decisions. However, public disagreement has arisen in the last times in relationship with some cases on the media. METHODS: In order to know the position of the members of the Nutrition Support teams in Spain a questionnaire based on two clinical scenarios was developed. A sample was sent by E-mail to all the members of the National Society. Data are presented as percentage. Comparison between groups was done by Chi square. RESULTS: 62 surveys were analyzed (65% physicians, 18% pharmacists; 12% nurses; 5% dietitians). 42% were 45 to 55 years old. Although a majority were working in clinical nutrition > 10 years, they considered themselves with insufficient bioethical background. In the case of Home Parenteral Nutrition--HPN-(45 yo lady with intractable ovarian cancer and intestinal obstruction), 77% agreed on HPN if the patient clinical condition was stable and she had strong family support. 75% answered that the main goal was to keep her at home as longer as possible. 92% considered that a mayor complication or a decrease in functions would contraindicate its use. 91% would review the decision periodically. In the case of Home Enteral Nutrition--HEN--(an old lady with progressive cognitive impairment needing a tube for feedings) 98% would indicate a gastrostomy tube. 77% considered HEN as a basic care, but if the patient had needed mechanical restriction only 41% would pursue in the decision. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the health care workers in the Nutrition Support teams considered that the decision on starting artificial nutrition should be done in an individualized basis, and need a periodical re-evaluation. HEN was mostly considered as a basic care. There were no significant differences if answers were analyzed by profession, gender, working experience or personal value.

[Global therapeutic approach of muscle dysfunction in COPD]. / Enfoque terapéutico global de la disfunción muscular en la EPOC.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive condition characterized by the presence of chronic obstruction and incomplete airflow reversibility. It is a disease with increasing prevalence and high sociosanitary cost. Hyponutrition and muscle dysfunction are two determinant factors of clinical severity and disease prognosis. The close relationship between weight loss or hyponutrition and mortality has been known for several years. Today we know that muscle mass is better predictor than weight of survival in patients with moderate to severe COPD. Several factors are implicated in the development of hyponutrition and deterioration of muscle structure and function. Slowing "muscle wasting" in COPD patients requires designing new integrated therapeutic strategies. Health care programs for COPD patients include multidisciplinary care of the main areas involved in the course of the disease. The main lines address: cigarette smoking cessation, pharmacotherapy, oxygen therapy, rehabilitation, nutritional support, surgery, travels, intercurrent periods, and palliative care. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) should be seen as part of a multidisciplinary program in individualized care of each COPD patient, aiming at optimizing his/her physical and social autonomy. Physical training, psychosocial intervention, patient education, and support groups for patients and relatives and friends, smoking cessation, oxygen therapy, appropriate oral feeding, and nutritional support are part of that therapeutic strategy allowing for an integral approach of muscle dysfunction in COPD patients.

Clinical use of enteral nutrition.

Enteral Nutrition is among the most developed disciplines in modern Medicine. Technological advances, a better knowledge of malnutrition physiopathology and its involvement in the evolution of several clinical entities have made it possible to improve the nutritional attention paid to our patients. The use of EN has expanded as a first choice practice in patients with undernutrition or at risk of undernutrition that have a minimally functional intestine and are unable to cover their total calorie and protein requirements with natural or supplemented diets. Terms like "medical food" or "organ- or system-specific nutrition" or "pathology-specific nutrition" have revolutionized the EN field in the last 20 years with the emergence of specifically defined formulations. EN has been shown to be cost-effective in patients with malnutrition when the indication is established early. Home and Ambulatory Artificial Nutrition techniques are administratively regulated and, as they are widespread in our country, they allow some cost reductions in certain processes. Occasionally, the introduction, use or withdrawal of EN may constitute a situation of ethical dilema that should be avoided by making use of respect, companionship and shared information between the health team, patients and their substitutes.

[Nutrition in AIDS]. / Nutrición y SIDA.

The infection by HIV continues to be the most aggressive pandemic of our century, with a high economical, social, and health care cost. In the last years the development of new, highly effective therapies has made it possible to change the prognosis, the quality of life, and the survival of many patients. However, the associated malnutrition continues to appear, with dramatic consequences. It affects between 50 and 90% of the seropositive patients. Its origin is multi-factorial and its early detection allows positive therapeutic responses to be obtained, with nutritional repletion, if the correct treatment is given. The future of the nutritional therapeutic approach in patients with HIV infection passes through a combined therapy that includes: nutritional education, drugs, and nutritional support.

[Clinical ethics and nutritional support]. / Etica clínica y soporte nutricional.

Artificial nutrition is a modern technique enjoying a great boom of late. Regulations on the use of important clinical and technological advances in connection with nutritional support in certain groups of patients represent one of the ethical problems most often posed in daily medical practice. Terminal patient and those with irreversible neurological damage are population groups at risk of these ethical problems when it comes to the prescription, withdrawal or omission of artificial nourishment and hydration. The establishment of certain guidelines in order to resolve the ethical problems arising seems to be a complex process. So far, no consensus has been reached among doctors, with no clear legal framework and no universally accepted ethical principles. It is necessary to ensure the consideration of all the circumstances and parties coming into conflict in order to find the best solution for all concerned by means of shared decision-making.

Home enteral nutrition in Spain; NADYA registry 2011-2012.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the results of the home enteral nutrition (HEN) registry of the NADYA-SENPE group in 2011 and 2012. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrieved the data of the patients recorded from January 1st 2011 to December 31st 2012. RESULTS: There were 3021 patients in the registry during the period from 29 hospitals, which gives 65.39 per million inhabitants. 97.95% were adults, 51.4% male. Mean age was 67.64 ± 19.1, median age was 72 years for adults and 7 months for children. Median duration with HEN was 351 days and for 97.5% was their first event with HEN. Most patients had HEN because of neurological disease (57.8%). Access route was nasogastric tube for 43.5% and gastrostomy for 33.5%. Most patients had limited activity level and, concerning autonomy, 54.8% needed total help. Nutritional formula was supplied from chemist's office to 73.8% of patients and disposables, when necessary, was supplied from hospitals to 53.8% of patients. HEN was finished for 1,031 patients (34.1%) during the period of study, 56.6% due to decease and 22.2% due to recovery of oral intake. CONCLUSIONS: Data from NADYA-SENPE registry must be explained cautiously because it is a non-compulsory registry. In spite of the change in the methodology of the registry in 2010, tendencies regarding HEN have been maintained, other than oral route.

Objetivos: Describir los resultados del registro de nutrición enteral domiciliaria (NED) del grupo NADYASENPE de los años 2011 y 12. Material y métodos: Se recopilaron los datos introducidos en el registro desde el 1 de enero de 2011 al 31 de diciembre de 2012. Resultados: Hubo 3021 pacientes en el registro durante el periodo, procedentes de 29 hospitales, lo que da una prevalencia de 65,39 casos por millón de habitantes. 97.95% fueron adultos, 51,4% varones. La edad media fue 67,64 ± 19,1 años y la mediana 72 años para los adultos y 7 meses para los niños. La duración media de la NED fue 351 días y para el 97,5% fue el primer episodio con NED. La mayoría de pacientes tenían NED por una enfermedad neurológica (57,8%). La vía de acceso fue sonda nasogástrica para el 43,5% y gastrostomía para el 33,5%. La mayoría de pacientes tuvieron un nivel de actividad física limitado y, respecto a la autonomía, 54,8% necesitaba ayuda total. La fórmula de nutrición se suministró desde las oficinas de farmacia para el 73,8% y los fungibles, cuando fueron necesarios, desde los hospitales para el 53,8%. La NED se suspendió en 1.031 pacientes (34,1%) durante el periodo de estudio, 56,6% debido a fallecimiento y 22,2% debido a recuperación de la vía oral. Conclusiones: Los datos del registro NADYA-SENPE deben ser interpretados con precaución ya que se trata de un registro voluntario. A pesar del cambio de metodología del registro en 2010, las tendencias en NED se han mantenido, salvo la importancia cuantitativa de la vía oral.

Prevalence and costs of malnutrition in hospitalized patients; the PREDyCES Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The main objective of the PREDyCES study was twofold. First, to analyse the prevalence of hospital malnutrition in Spain, both at admission and at discharge, and second, to estimate the hospital costs associated with disease-related malnutrition. METHODS: The study was a nationwide, cross-sectional, observational, multicentre study in routine clinical practice, which assessed the prevalence of hospital malnutrition both at patient admission and discharge using NRS-2002. A study extension analysed the incidence of complications associated with malnutrition, excess hospital stay and healthcare costs associated with hospital malnutrition. RESULTS: Malnutrition was observed in 23.7% of patients according to NRS-2002. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, gender, presence of malignant disease, diabetes mellitus, dysphagia and polymedication were the main factors associated with the presence of malnutrition. Malnutrition was associated with an increase in length of hospital stay, especially in patients admitted without malnutrition but who presented malnutrition at discharge (15.2 vs. 8.0 days, p < 0.001), with an associated additional cost of €5,829 per patient. CONCLUSION: In Spanish hospitals, almost one in four patients is malnourished. This condition is associated with increased length of hospital stay and associated costs, especially in patients developing malnutrition during hospitalization. Systematic screening for malnutrition should be generalised in order to implement nutritional interventions with well-known effectiveness.

[Analysis of the relevance and feasibility of quality indicators in nutrition support]. / Análisis de la relevancia y factibilidad de indicadores de calidad en las unidades de nutrición.

INTRODUCTION: The quality assessment in health activities requires the choice of indicators in line with the results we want to measure. Of all possible, we should prioritize those that allow us to obtain the most relevant information without overloading the regular work of our units. OBJECTIVE: To determine the opinion of the members of SENPE regarding the relevance and feasibility of using a selection of quality indicators designed for use in clinical nutrition. METHODS: E-mail survey sent to members of SENPE asking them their views on 12 quality indicators, evaluating each in terms of their relevance and feasibility of implementation in their environment. RESULTS: 40 respondents answered from 40 centers in 12 different regions. In general, the indicators were considered more relevant than feasible. The indicators best rated were: "identification in artificial nutrition bags, "semi-recumbent position in patient with nasogastric tube feeding" and "basic clinical protocols". Considering the type of indicator: "patient identification in the bags of artificial nutrition (structure)," a semi-incorporated "and" basic clinical protocols (process), and "fulfillment of the caloric goal" (result). CONCLUSION: The results of the survey can make a selection of indicators that could be considered for first-line introduction in a Nutrition Unit.

Multidisciplinary consensus on the approach to hospital malnutrition in Spain.

RATIONALE: Disease-related malnutrition constitutes a highly prevalent healthcare problem with high costs associated. In Spain, the prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized patients has been reported from 30% to 50%. OBJECTIVES: Main purposes of this consensus document were to establish recommendations that facilitate decision-making and action to prevent and early-diagnose disease-related hospital malnutrition, on the management of nutritional support methods and actions to evaluate nutritional treatment compliance and efficacy. METHODS: A systematic bibliographical search of authors was performed, complemented by updated bibliography by author references up to 2010. From this review, some recommendations were defined, modified and critically evaluated by the representatives of scientific societies in a consensus conference (Dec 2010) following a structured brainstorming technique: the Metaplan(®) technique. A double validation process was undertaken until final recommendations were obtained. RESULTS: 30 consensus recommendations for the prevention and management of hospital malnutrition are presented in this document. Recommendations cover all clinical care settings as well as prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of disease-related malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional screening is strongly recommended at all clinical settings when nutritional risk factors are identified or there is clinical suspicion of malnutrition. Nutritional assessment should be designed and performed according to centers' resources, but clearly identified protocols should be available.

[Glossary of bioethics terms frequently used in nutrition support]. / Glosario de términos y expresiones frecuentes de Bioética en la práctica de la Nutrición Clínica.

Bioethical decisions are present in every clinical decision. Nutrition support participates the same situation. Feeding critically ill patients, etriminal patients or in permanent vegetative status is almost always involved in bioethical dilemmas. A common problem is the confusion in concepts regarding bioethics. This lack of uniformity does not help in the deliberation process. From the Working Group in Bioethics of the Spanish Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Support (SENPE) it has been considered to gather the commonest terms used in our academic area. Each term is accompanied by a definition, a description or a commentary related to its main application.

The burden of hospital malnutrition in Spain: methods and development of the PREDyCES® study.

It is well known that hospital malnutrition is a highly prevalent condition associated to increase morbidity and mortality as well as related healthcare costs. Although previous studies have already measured the prevalence and/or costs of hospital nutrition in our country, their local focus (at regional or even hospital level) make that the true prevalence and economic impact of hospital malnutrition for the National Health System remain unknown in Spain. The PREDyCES® (Prevalence of hospital malnutrition and associated costs in Spain) study was aimed to assess the prevalence of hospital malnutrition in Spain and to estimate related costs. Some aspects made this study unique: a) It was the first study in a representative sample of hospitals of Spain; b) different measures to assess hospital malnutrition (NRS2002, MNA as well as anthropometric and biochemical markers) where used both at admission and discharge and, c) the economic consequences of malnutrition where estimated using the perspective of the Spanish National Health System.