[12th "Jesús Culebras" Lesson. Feeding and nutrition in patients with head and neck cancer - A permanent challenge]. / 12.ª Lección Jesús Culebras. La alimentación y la nutrición en los enfermos con cáncer de cabeza y cuello: un reto permanente.

INTRODUCTION: Head and neck cancer patients are a population at permanent nutritional risk. In addition to the presence of the tumour, the reason for this is the tumour's location, which affects all structures involved in the swallowing process. The side effects of the oncological treatments they must receive during the course of their illness-surgery, chemo-radiotherapy, etc.-only further burden an already precarious nutritional status. For all these reasons, it is essential that, from the diagnosis of their disease, a multidisciplinary team including specialists in dietetics and nutrition supervises them.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los enfermos con cáncer de cabeza y cuello son una población en riesgo nutricional permanente. El motivo es, además de la presencia del tumor, la localización del mismo, que afecta a todas las estructuras implicadas en la deglución. Los efectos secundarios de los tratamientos oncológicos que deben recibir en el transcurso de su enfermedad ­cirugía, quimio-radioterapia, etc.­ no hacen sino gravar más aun un estado nutricional ya de por sí precario. Por todo ello es imprescindible que, desde el diagnóstico de su enfermedad, estén supervisados por un equipo multidisciplinar con especialistas en dietética y nutrición.

Evolution of nutritional status and survival in patients with cancer on tyrosine kinase inhibitors treatment. / Evolución nutricional y de la supervivencia en un grupo de pacientes oncológicos en tratamiento con inhibidores de tirosina quinasa.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Treatment with oral antineoplastic agents known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is new and, thus, little is known about their impact on nutritional status (NS), dietary intake, quality of life, and survival. The aim of this study was to provide information on these components in order to guide future nutritional recommendations. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A prospective, observational study in adults who start treatment with TKIs, in whom NS was assessed using the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), anthropometric measures, biochemical parameters, and dietary intake (24-hour dietary recall). The EORTC QLQ-C30 was used to assess quality of life. Nonparametric tests were used in statistical analysis, and survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and log-rank curves. RESULTS: Of the overall sample, 21.7% had moderate malnutrition according to PG-SGA, and 74.2% moderate weight loss at 6 months, but no patient had BMI<18.5kg/m2. Patients with moderate malnutrition had lower survival at four years of diagnosis (log-rank=0.015). Energy intake was lower than recommended by the ESPEN 2017 congress, and no patient covered the protein requirements (1.5g protein/kg weight) during follow-up. A worse score on the global health scale of the EORTC QLQ-C30 was related to worse NS. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with TKIs does not appear to have a significant impact on NS and quality of life after 6 months of follow-up. Malnutrition should be prevented through individualized nutritional advice because it is related to shorter survival.

Clinical and economic impact of the taurolidine lock on home parenteral nutrition.

INTRODUCTION: catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) are one of the most serious concerns in patients on home parenteral nutrition (HPN) which involve high morbidity and cost for the healthcare system. In the last years, taurolidine lock has proven to be beneficial in the prevention of CRBSI; however, the evidence of its efficiency is limited. OBJECTIVE: to determine if taurolidine lock is a cost-effective intervention in patients on HPN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: retrospective study in patients on HPN with taurolidine lock. We compared the CRBSI rate and cost of its complications before and during taurolidine lock. RESULTS: thirteen patients, six (46%) males and seven (54%) females, with a mean age of 61.08 (SD = 14.18) years received taurolidine lock. The total days of catheterization pre and per-taurolidine were 12,186 and 5,293, respectively. The underlying disease was benign in five patients (38.5%) and malignant in eight (61.5%). The CRBSI rate pre vs per-taurolidine was 3.12 vs 0.76 episodes per 1,000 catheter days (p = 0.0058). When the indication was a high CRBSI rate, this was 9.72 vs 0.39 (p < 0.001) in pre and per-taurolidine period respectively. No differences have been observed in the occlusion rates. None of the patients reported any adverse effects. The total cost of CRBSI in the pre-taurolidine period was 151,264.14 euros vs 24,331.19 euros in the per-taurolidine period. CONCLUSIONS: our study shows that taurolidine lock is a cost-effective intervention in patients on HPN with high risk of CRBSI.

[DIETARY INTAKE AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN ONCOLOGY PATIENTS WHO START TREATMENT WITH TYROSINE KINASE INHIBITORS]. / INGESTA DIETÉTICA Y ESTADO NUTRICIONAL DE PACIENTES ONCOLÓGICOS QUE INICIAN TRATAMIENTO CON INHIBIDORES TIROSINA QUINASA.

BACKGROUND: in recent years, researching about new oral antineoplastics has progressed while its impact on dietary intake and nutritional status (NS) hasn't developed enough yet. OBJECTIVES: dietary intake and NS assessment in patients who start treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) and evaluate its impact on them. METHODS: an observational, prospective-six-months study, in which were included patients starting treatment with TKI. The intake was evaluated by a 24 h dietary record and a food frequency questionnaire. The NS was evaluated by anthropometric measurements and the patient-generated Global Subjective Assessment (PG-GSA); the results were compared with the Spanish references (SENC-semFYC, 2007 and O. Moreiras, 2013). Friedman test, χ2, Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney were used in the statistical analysis. Significance p < 0.05. RESULTS: 22 patients (54.5% male) were included. At baseline, NS was adequate in 73.9% of patients according PG-GSA. Weight loss was no significant, although a high percentage of the energy and protein requirements hadn't been reached. The caloric intake was positively related with the number of meals. Dietary habits did not change during treatment. CONCLUSION: dietary intake did not reach nutritional requirements at baseline. The TKI don't seem to affect the patient's intake and nutritional status. The research about these parameters before starting treatment could prevent future complications and it would guide the dietary advice.

Introducción: la investigación sobre nuevos antineoplásicos orales sigue avanzando en los últimos años mientras que su repercusión sobre la ingesta dietética y el estado nutricional (EN) no progresa de la misma forma. Objetivos: evaluar la ingesta dietética y EN de pacientes que inician tratamiento con inhibidores tirosina quinasa (ITK) y valorar el impacto que tienen sobre ellos. Métodos: estudio observacional y prospectivo de seis meses en el que se incluyeron pacientes que iniciaban tratamiento con ITK. La ingesta se evaluó con: recuerdo 24 h y cuestionario de frecuencia de consumo. El EN se valoró con: medidas antropométricas y cuestionario de valoración subjetiva global generada por el paciente (VSGGP); los resultados se compararon con las referencias SENC-semFYC, 2007 y Moreiras O., 2013. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizaron: Test de Friedman, 2, Wilcoxon, Kruskall-Wallis y Mann-Whitney. Significación p < 0,05. Resultados: se incluyeron 22 pacientes (54,5% hombres). Al inicio del tratamiento, el 73,9% tenía un EN adecuado según VSG-GP. No se produjeron pérdidas de peso significativas, pese a que un porcentaje elevado no cubrió los requerimientos energéticos y proteicos. El número de comidas se relacionó positivamente con la ingesta calórica. La ingesta y los patrones de frecuencia de consumo por grupos de alimentos tampoco variaron durante el tratamiento. Conclusión: la ingesta dietética al inicio del tratamiento no alcanza los requerimientos nutricionales. Los ITK no parecen afectar la ingesta ni el estado nutricional de los pacientes. El estudio de estos parámetros antes de comenzar el tratamiento evitaría futuras complicaciones y guiaría el consejo dietético.

[Nutritional assessment and quality of life of oncology outpatients initiating treatment with tyrosine­kinase inhibitors]. / Seguimiento del estado nutricional y calidad de vida de pacientes que inician tratamiento con inhibidores tirosin kinasa.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The consumption of oral antineoplastics -and more particularly of tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKI)- has increased in recent years. These therapies show a better tolerance but still, the nutritional alterations related to their daily and chronic clinical use are under investigation. This study assesses the effects of TKI on the intake, nutritional status and micronutrients as well as the patients quality of life. METHODS: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted including adult patients having started some TKI treatment from July 2012 to June 2013, and a 6 month follow-up period was established. Demographic pharmacotherapeutic, nutritional and biochemical variables were collected and also a EORTC-QLQ30 questionnaire at baseline, first, third and sixth month of treatment. RESULTS: 31 patients were included in the study. The percentage of weight loss at treatment baseline was statistically matched to the results on the patient-generated Global Subjective Assessment. Appetite decreased after one month of treatment, and so did the calorie consumption; 62.1% of the patients lost weight, 55.5% on the third month and 70.6% on the sixth month. 6-17% of the patients suffered from malnutrition to some degree during the follow-up period and a decrease of calcium, phosphate and magnesium plasma levels was detected. The emotional scale was the one with a lowest score in EORTC QLQ-30, and fatigue and lack of appetite were the most common symptoms at treatment baseline, progressively increasing those of nausea, vomits and diarrhea. DISCUSSION: Patients treated with TKI did not show a relevant malnutrition. Considering the results, it is important to take into account weight loss at treatment baseline; it is also important to control calcium and phosphate levels during treatment, to advise and counsel the patient on the GI effects (nausea, vomits and diarrhea) and emotionally reinforce the patient.

Introducción y objetivo: El consumo de antineoplásicos orales y concretamente de inhibidores tirosin kinasa (ITK) se ha incrementado en los últimos años. Son terapias mejor toleradas y, sin embargo, las alteraciones nutricionales relativas a su uso clínico diario y crónico están aún en estudio. El presente estudio valora la repercusión de los ITK sobre la ingesta, estado nutricional y micronutrientes y valora la calidad de vida de estos pacientes. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo y longitudinal en el que se incluyeron aquellos pacientes adultos que iniciaron tratamiento con algún ITK de julio 2012 a junio 2013 con un periodo de seguimiento de 6 meses. Se recogieron variables demográficas, farmacoterapéuticas, nutricionales, bioquímicas y el cuestionario EORTC-QLQ30 al inicio, primer, tercer y sexto mes de tratamiento. Resultados: Se incluyeron 31 pacientes. El porcentaje de pérdida de peso al inicio del tratamiento se relacionó estadísticamente con la clasificación de la Valoración Subjetiva Global-generada por el paciente. Tras un mes de tratamiento descendió el apetito, las calorías consumidas y un 62,1% de los pacientes perdió peso, 55,5% al tercer mes y 70,6% al sexto mes. Entre un 6-17% de los pacientes sufría algún grado de desnutrición durante el seguimiento y se detectó una disminución de los niveles plasmáticos de calcio, fosfato y magnesio. En el EORTC QLQ-30, la escala emocional fue la peor puntuada y los síntomas más comunes al inicio de tratamiento fueron la fatiga y pérdida de apetito, aumentando progresivamente las náuseas, vómitos y la diarrea. Discusión: Los pacientes tratados con ITK no presentaron una desnutrición importante. A la vista de los resultados es importante valorar la pérdida de peso al inicio de tratamiento, monitorizar los niveles de calcio y el fosfato durante el tratamiento, aconsejar y prevenir al paciente sobre los efectos gastrointestinales (náuseas, vómitos y diarrea) y reforzar emocionalmente al paciente.

Outcomes of a general hospital-based home parenteral nutrition (HPN) program; report of our experience from a 26-year period.

BACKGROUND: Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) was introduced in Spain in the late 1980s. Our hospital was a pioneering medical centre in this field. AIM: Analyze outcomes of our HPN program. METHODS: Retrospective study of patients receiving HPN between 1986-2012. Study variables are expressed as frequency, mean ± SD (range), median [interquartile range]. Parametrics, non-parametrics test and survival analysis (p < 0.05) were applied. RESULTS: 91 patients (55 females and 36 males, mean age: 50.6 ± 5 yrs.) who received HPN for an accrual period of 55,470 days (median: 211 days [range: 63-573]) were included. The most prevalent underlying condition was cancer (49.5%), with the commonest HPN indication being short bowel syndrome (41.1%). The most frequently used catheter type was the tunneled catheter (70.7%). The complication rate was 3.58/1,000 HPN days (2.68, infection; 0.07, occlusion; 0.07 thrombosis; and 0.59, metabolic complications). Complications were consistently associated with both the underlying condition and HPN length. Infections were most frequent within the first 1,000 days of HPN. Liver disease incidence was related to HPN duration. HPN could be discontinued in 42.3% of patients. Ten-year survival rate was 42%, and varied across the underlying conditions. CONCLUSIONS: In the present series, the commonest reason for HPN was cancer. Our complication rate is in keeping with that reported in the literature. The overall survival rate was 42%, and varied across the underlying conditions.

Introducción: La nutrición parenteral domiciliaria (NPD) se introdujo en España a finales de 1980. Nuestro hospital fue pionero en este campo. Objetivo: Analizar los resultados de nuestro programa de NPD. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de los pacientes que recibieron NPD entre 1986-2012. Las variables se expresan como frecuencias, media ± DE (rango), mediana [intervalo intercuartílico]. Se aplicaron pruebas paramétricas, no paramétricas y análisis de la supervivencia (p < 0,05). Resultados: 91 pacientes (55 mujeres, edad media: 50,6 ± 5 años). La duración total del tratamiento con NPD fue de 55.470 días (mediana: 211 días [rango: 63-573]). El diagnóstico principal y la indicación de NPD más frecuentes fueron el cáncer (49,5%) y el síndrome del intestino corto (41,1%). El tipo de catéter más utilizado fue el tunelizado (70,7%). La tasa de complicaciones totales fue de 3,58/1.000 días HPN (2,68 para infecciones; 0,07, oclusiones; 0,07 trombosis, y 0,59, complicaciones metabólicas) y se asoció al diagnóstico principal y la duración de la NPD. Las infecciones fueron más frecuentes en los primeros 1.000 días de NPD. La incidencia de hepatopatía se relacionó con la duración de este tratamiento. En el 42,3% de los pacientes se pudo suspender la NPD. La tasa de supervivencia global a los diez años fue del 42% con diferencias entre los diagnósticos principales. Conclusiones: En nuestra serie, la razón más común para la NPD fue el cáncer. Nuestra tasa de complicaciones esta acorde con la literatura. La tasa de supervivencia global fue del 42%.

[Home parenteral nutrition; satisfaction of patients and their caregivers with nutrition unit and pharmacy service]. / Nutrición parenteral domiciliaria: satisfacción de los pacientes y sus cuidadores con la unidad de nutrición clínica y el servicio de farmacia.

INTRODUCTION: Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) is a practice in continually growing by the significant advantages involved for the patient and the healthcare system. Today, in the investigation of health outcomes is essential to assess the patient s opinion. Among the measures focused on patients with HPN, several studies about quality of life have been done, but the degree of satisfaction with this treatment modality has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the degree of satisfacion of patients and their caregivers receiving HPN with doctors, pharmacists and nurses in a hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An anonymous survey was distributed, which consisted of 48 closed questions to patients and their caregivers receiving HPN who voluntarily answered. With survey responses a database in SPSS with the following variables was created: personal, sociocultural, clinical and related to HPN data and valoration of health personnel involved (nutrition area of the Pharmacy Service and Nursing and Medical Nutrition Units) and hospital facilities related to HPN. Also a section of open response suggestions was included. RESULTS: 24 surveys were distributed, 12 to patients and 12 to caregivers. Response rate was 91.7% in the case of patients and 58.3% in the caregivers. 63.6% of patients and 42.9% of caregivers were women. Mean age was, respectively, 46.1 years (SD: 13.7) and 47.0 years (SD: 3.6). Most of patients (55.6%) and caregivers (60.0%) had secondary studies and were pensoniers (72.7% and 71.4%, respectively). Underlying diseases of patients were: radiation enteritis (27.3%), intestinal obstruction (18.2%), intestinal carcinomatosis (45.5%) and Chron s disease (9.1%). With respect to items assessing satisfaction with physicians, nurses and pharmacists, in general both patients and caregivers were satisfied. Suggestions made were: greater amplitude of delivery schedule of HPN and inclusion of audiovisual information. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of satisfaction of patients receiving HPN and their caregivers with the care given by doctors, pharmacists and nurses is appropriate, but it s possible to make improvements to optimize the quality of the whole process.

Introducción: La Nutrición Parenteral Domiciliaria (NPD) es una práctica en continuo crecimiento por las importantes ventajas que presenta para el paciente y el sistema sanitario. En la investigación de los resultados en salud resulta hoy en día fundamental evaluar el punto de vista del paciente. Dentro de las medidas centradas en el paciente con NPD se han realizado varios estudios sobre la calidad de vida, pero no se ha evaluado el grado de satisfacción con esta modalidad de tratamiento. Objetivos: Evaluar el grado de satisfacción de los pacientes que reciben NPD y sus cuidadores con los médicos, farmacéuticos y enfermeros de hospital. Métodos: Se repartió una encuesta anónima y que constaba de 48 preguntas cerradas a los pacientes que recibían NPD y a sus cuidadores, los cuales contestaron de forma voluntaria. Con las respuestas recogidas se creó una base de datos en el programa SPSS con las siguientes variables: datos personales, socioculturales, clínicos y relacionados con la NPD y valoración del personal sanitario implicado (área de nutrición del Servicio de Farmacia y Unidades Médica y de Enfermería de Nutrición) y de las instalaciones del hospital relacionadas con la NPD. También se incluyó un apartado de sugerencias con respuesta abierta. Resultados: Se repartieron 24 encuestas, 12 a pacientes y 12 a cuidadores. La tasa de respuesta fue un 91,7% en el caso de los pacientes y un 58,3% en los cuidadores. El 63,6% de los pacientes y el 42,9% de los cuidadores eran mujeres. La media de edad fue, respectivamente, 46,1 años (DE: 13,7) y 47,0 años (DE: 3,6). La mayoría de los pacientes (54,5%) y de los cuidadores (42,9%) tenían estudios secundarios y eran pensionistas (72,7% y 71,4%, respectivamente). Las enfermedades de base de los pacientes fueron: enteritis rádica (27,3%), obstrucción intestinal (18,2%), carcinomatosis intestinal (45,5%) y enfermedad de Crohn (9,1%). Con respecto a los ítems que evaluaban la satisfacción con médicos, enfermeros y farmacéuticos, en general tanto pacientes como cuidadores estuvieron satisfechos. Las sugerencias recogidas fueron: mayor amplitud del horario de entrega de la NPD e inclusión de información audiovisual. Conclusiones: El grado de satisfacción de los pacientes que reciben NPD y sus cuidadores con el servicio dado por médicos, enfermeros y farmacéuticos es adecuado, aunque se pueden introducir mejoras para optimizar la calidad de todo el proceso.

Tratamiento de las complicaciones infecciosas de la nutrición parenteral domiciliaria / Infectious complications of home parenteral nutrition

Las complicaciones infecciosas relacionadas con el catéter son las más frecuentes en los pacientes con nutrición parenteral domiciliaria (0.5-2 infecciones/1 000 días o 0.3-0.5 infecciones/paciente/año). Suelen originarse por diseminación de los microorganismos por vía intraluminal o extraluminal hacia la punta del catéter. La mayoría de estas infecciones están producidas por microorganismos de la flora saprofita de la piel (especialmente Staphylococcus coagulasa negativo). El tipo de infección más frecuente es la bacteriemia asociada al catéter/sepsis de catéter, cuyo diagnóstico se realiza mediante el crecimiento del mismo microorganismo en la sangre del paciente y en un cultivo del catéter. La realización de hemocultivos extraídos a través del catéter y de vía periférica son muy útiles en el diagnóstico ya que mostrarán un crecimiento mayor y más rápido de los microorganismos en los cultivos extraídos de la vía central. En los pacientes con nutrición parenteral domiciliaria es importante tratar las infecciones sin retirar el catéter. El tratamiento antibiótico se administrará a través del catéter durante al menos 2 semanas. En los últimos años se ha popularizado la técnica del sellado del catéter con antimicrobianos, que parece mejorar las tasas de salvamento del catéter y disminuir las recaídas tras el tratamiento, principalmente en la infecciones originadas por Staphylococcus coagulasa negativo.

N-3 fatty acids, cancer and cachexia: a systematic review of the literature.

Use of n-3 fatty acids (FA) has been reported to be beneficial for cancer patients. We performed a systematic review of the literature in order to issue recommendations on the clinical use of n-3 FA in the cancer setting. A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane and Healthstar databases. We selected clinical trials or prospective observational studies including patients with cancer and life expectancy >2 months, in which enteral supplements with n-3 FA were administered. Parameters evaluated individually were clinical (nutritional status, tolerance, survival and hospital stays), biochemical (inflammatory mediators), and functional (functional status, appetite and quality of life (QoL)). Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria; eight were of high quality. The panel of experts established the following evidence: (1) oral supplements with n-3 FA benefit patients with advanced cancer and weight loss, and are indicated in tumours of the upper digestive tract and pancreas; (2) the advantages observed were: increased weight and appetite, improved QoL, and reduced post-surgical morbidity; (3) there is no defined pattern for combining different n-3 FA, and it is recommended to administer > 1.5 g/day; and (4) better tolerance is obtained administering low-fat formulas for a period of at least 8 weeks. All the evidences were grade B but for 'length of treatment' and 'advantage of survival' it was grade C. Our findings suggest that administration of n-3 FA (EPA and DHA) in doses of at least 1.5 g/day for a prolonged period of time to patients with advanced cancer is associated with an improvement in clinical, biological and QoL parameters.

Chronic radiation enteritis after ovarian cancer: from home parenteral nutrition to oral diet.

INTRODUCTION: External beam radiation of abdominal and pelvic cavities is a current therapy for gynaecological cancer that often produces radiation-induced bowel injury and malnutrition. CASE REPORT: A 72-year old patient underwent surgery and external beam radiation therapy for an ovarian carcinoma. Two years later she was found to have intestinal pseudoobstruction related to chronic radiation enteritis and protein-energy malnutrition. Home parenteral nutrition was prescribed due to poor oral intake, but it was discontinued after 6 catheter-related sepsis and upper cava vein thrombosis. Parenteral nutrition could be reintroduced after an angioplasty of that vein, and the patient was operated on with the finding of an incarcerated ileum eventration. Nowadays she maintains a normal nutritional status with oral diet. DISCUSSION: Radiation enteritis can lead to perforation, fistulae or strictures of the bowel. Malnutrition is common and parenteral nutrition may be necessary. Surgery can solve these complications, achieves good survival rates and can allow stopping parenteral nutrition.

Prospective study of resting energy expenditure changes in head and neck cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy measured by indirect calorimetry.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of malnutrition is high in patients with head and neck cancer due to tumor location and coadjuvant treatment. We studied changes in resting energy expenditure (REE) during treatment with chemoradiotherapy and compared the measured REE by indirect calorimetry (IC) with the value estimated by the Harris-Benedict (HB) formula. METHODS: Eighteen patients with head and neck cancer (15 men and 3 women, mean age 57 +/- 10.7 y, age range 30-71 y) entered the study. All patients were treated with radiotherapy (70.8 +/- 1 Gy, range 70-72) and received 37.4 +/- 3.5 fractions (range 32-42) and concurrent chemotherapy with cisplatinum (absolute doses of 400 to 1000 mg). Nutrition assessment included anthropometry (body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, subscapular skinfold thickness, midarm circumference, and midarm muscle circumference) and tetrapolar bioimpedance (Holtain BC). The IC (kcal/24 h; Deltatrac II MBM-200) was performed after an overnight fast. Measurements were done before treatment, at weeks 2, 4, and 6 of treatment, at the end of treatment, and 2 wk after treatment. RESULTS: Body mass index decreased during treatment from 24.7 +/- 4.4 kg/m(2) (range 16.9-31.4) to 22.3 +/- 4.2 kg/m(2) (range 15.1-29.6). REE (kcal/24 h) changed significantly during treatment (IC P < 0.05, HB formula P < 0.001). REE measured by IC appeared as a U-shaped curve, but REE estimated by the HB formula decreased during treatment. The HB underestimated REE measurements compared with IC. These differences were statistically significant before treatment, at the end of treatment, and 2 wk after treatment (P < 0.05) and showed a limited clinical agreement with the Bland-Altman method. CONCLUSIONS: REE measured by IC significantly changed during chemoradiotherapy. It was higher before treatment, at the end of treatment, and 2 wk after treatment. The HB formula underestimated REE in these patients. IC is a suitable method for measuring REE in this cohort of patients.

Glycemic and lipid control in hospitalized type 2 diabetic patients: evaluation of 2 enteral nutrition formulas (low carbohydrate-high monounsaturated fat vs high carbohydrate).

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetic patients may need enteral nutrition support as part of their treatment. The objective was to compare glycemic and lipid control in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes requiring feeding via nasogastric tube using enteral feedings with either a highcarbohydrate or a high-monounsaturated-fat content. METHODS: This trial included type 2 diabetes patients admitted to the hospital for neurologic disorders or head and neck cancer surgery who received either a low-carbohydrate-high-mono-unsaturated-fat (Glucerna) or a high-carbohydrate diet (Precitene Diabet). Glycemic and lipid control was determined weekly. Safety and gastrointestinal tolerance were also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients were randomized and 63 were evaluable according to preestablished protocol criteria. Median duration of therapy was 13 days in both groups. Mean glucose was significantly increased at 7 days of treatment (p = .006) in the Precitene arm, with no significant variations in the Glucerna arm. Mean weekly blood triglycerides levels in the Precitene arm were increased without reaching statistical significance, whereas patients in the Glucerna arm showed a stable trend. Patients in the Precitene arm showed a significantly higher incidence of diarrhea than patients in Glucerna arm (p = .008), whereas the incidence of nausea was smaller in the Precitene arm than in the Glucerna arm (p = .03). CONCLUSIONS: An enteral formula with lower carbohydrate and higher monounsaturated fat (Glucerna) has a neutral effect on glycemic control and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic patients compared with a high-carbohydrate and a lower-fat formula (Precitene Diabet).