Prognostic value of bioelectrical impedance analysis in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: a VALOR® study.

Introduction: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) serves as a method to estimate body composition. Parameters such as phase angle (PA), standardized phase angle (SPA), body mass cell (BCM), BCM index (BCMI), and fat-free mass (FFM) might significantly impact the prognosis of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. The present study aimed to investigate whether bioelectrical parameters can be used to predict survival in the HNC population and establish the optimal cutoff points for predictive accuracy. Methods: A multicenter observational study was performed across 12 tertiary hospitals in Andalusia (a region from the south of Spain). A total of 494 patients diagnosed with HNC between 2020 and 2022 at different stages were included in this study, with a minimum follow-up period of 12 months. The BIA assessment was carried out during the first 2 weeks of radical radiotherapy treatment with chemotherapy or other systemic treatments. A multivariate logistic regression analysis of overall survival, complications, hospital admission, and palliative care and its relationship with BIA nutritional assessment was performed. Results: Significant prognostic factors identified in the multivariable analysis encompassed phase angle (PA), standardized phase angle (SPA), body cell mass (BCM), and BCM index (BCMI). Lower PA and BCM values were significantly associated with adverse clinical outcomes. A BCM threshold above 17 kg/m2 was the most significant predictor for predicting survival within the overall HNC population. The PA values of <5.1° in male and <4.8° in female patients showed the best predictive potential for mortality. Increased PA (as a continuous variable) demonstrated a significantly reduced risk for mortality (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.43-0.94; p < 0.05) and a decreased likelihood of hospital admission (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.52-1.07; p < 0.05). Higher BCM correlated with a lower risk of mortality (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.80-0.96; p < 0.01) and a diminished probability of hospital admission (OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.83-0.99; p < 0.05). Conclusion: BIA is a crucial tool in the nutritional assessment of HNC patients. BCM and PA are the main bioelectrical parameters used to predict clinical outcomes in this population. Future studies are needed to validate BIA variables in a large cohort to ensure whether early intensification of nutritional treatment would improve survival.

Association between low bone mineral density and periodontitis in generally healthy perimenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: The association between low bone mineral density (BMD) and periodontitis in perimenopausal women is controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine whether osteoporosis or osteopenia is associated with periodontal disease in a population of adult women. METHODS: A sample of over-45-year-old women with or without low BMD underwent lumbar spine and hip bone densitometry and a complete periodontal examination. The extent/severity or absence of periodontal disease was noted using two different case definitions. Data were gathered on socio-economic status, medication history, systemic co-morbidities, alcohol or tobacco use as well as serum levels of calcium and vitamin D. RESULTS: One hundred seventy three women aged between 45 and 72 years old were recruited with a mean age of 57.8 years. One hundred and three had decreased BMD (61 with osteoporosis and 42 with osteopenia) and 70 were healthy. Moderate or severe periodontitis was present in 52.6% of the women. Multivariate analysis showed a clear association between low BMD and periodontitis, but only in women above 58 years old and independent of tobacco consumption or oral hygiene. CONCLUSION: In this sample of generally healthy perimenopausal women, low BMD was associated with clinical attachment level (CAL). Women over 58 years old with decreased BMD presented with a higher mean percentage of sites with CAL ≥ 4 mm as well as CAL ≥ 6 mm when compared to controls, independent of active smoking status or poor oral hygiene.

[Home and Ambulatory Artificial Nutrition (NADYA) Group Report. Home parenteral nutrition in Spain, 2018]. / Nutrición parenteral domiciliaria en España 2018. Informe del Grupo de Nutrición Artificial Domiciliaria y Ambulatoria NADYA.

INTRODUCTION: Aim: to communicate home parenteral nutrition (HPN) data obtained from the HPN registry of the NADYA-SENPE group (www.nadya-senpe.com) for the year 2018 Material and methods: descriptive analysis of the data collected from adult and pediatric patients with HPN in the NADYA-SENPE group registry from January 1st, 2018 to December 31st, 2018. Results: there were 278 patients from 45 Spanish hospitals (54.7% women), 23 children and 255 adults, which represent a prevalence rate of 5.95 patients/million inhabitants/year 2018. The most frequent diagnosis in adults was "palliative cancer" (22.0%), followed by "others". In children it was Hirschsprung's disease together with necrotizing enterocolitis, with four cases (17.4%). The first indication was short bowel syndrome in both children (60.9%) and adults (35.7%). The most frequently used type of catheter was tunneled in both children (81.0%) and adults (41.1%). Ending 75 episodes, the most frequent cause was death (52.0%) and change to oral feeding (33.3%). Conclusions: the number of centers and collaborating professionals in the registry of patients receiving HPN remains stable, as well as the main indications and reasons for termination of HPN.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Objetivo: comunicar los datos de nutrición parenteral domiciliaria (NPD) obtenidos del registro del grupo NADYA-SENPE (www.nadya-senpe.com) del año 2018. Material y métodos: análisis descriptivo de los datos recogidos de pacientes adultos y pediátricos con NPD en el registro NADYA-SENPE del 1 de enero al 31 de diciembre de 2018. Resultados: se registraron 278 pacientes (54,7% mujeres), 23 niños y 255 adultos, procedentes de 45 hospitales españoles, lo que representa una tasa de prevalencia de 5,95 pacientes/millón de habitantes/año 2018. El diagnóstico más frecuente en adultos fue "oncológico paliativo" (22,0%), seguido de "otros". En niños fue la enfermedad de Hirschsprung junto con la enterocolitis necrotizante, con cuatro casos (17,4%). El primer motivo de indicación fue síndrome de intestino corto tanto en niños (60,9%) como en adultos (35,7%). El tipo de catéter más utilizado fue el tunelizado tanto en niños (81,0%) como en adultos (41,1%). Finalizaron 75 episodios, la causa más frecuente fue el fallecimiento (52,0%) y el paso a vía oral (33,3%). Conclusiones: el número de centros y profesionales colaboradores en el registro de pacientes que reciben NPD se mantiene estable, así como las principales indicaciones y los motivos de finalización de la NPD.

25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in the early healing of osteoporotic hip fracture and their relationship with clinical outcome.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: vitamin D is involved in recovery after an osteoporotic hip fracture (OHF). Previous studies have reported decreased serum vitamin D levels during fracture healing. Objectives: our aim was to evaluate: a) serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) levels in patients with OHF at hospital admission and 8 days post-admission, and b) the relationship between 25OHD levels and clinical outcomes. Methods: a prospective study including 66 patients aged over 65 years hospitalized for OHF. We gathered data on baseline demographic characteristics, medical history, Mini Mental State (MMS) assessment, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) results, nutritional assessment, and type of fracture and surgery. Laboratory results were collected on bone biomarkers, albumin, 25OHD3, and IL6. Clinical outcomes included length of stay, complications, and mortality. In the statistical analysis, a t-test was used for continuous variables and a chi-square test for qualitative variables. Linear regression models were used for the multivariate analysis, adjusted for covariates. Results: our study population had low serum vitamin D levels at admission, with a mean [(standard error of the mean (SEM)] of 12.04 (1.03) ng/mL. Both 25OHD3 and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels significantly declined (p < 0.001) during the early post-fracture phase. A greater decline in 25OHD3 levels was significantly associated with longer hospital stay (p = 0.042, multivariate analysis). Serum 25OHD3 levels were also associated with cognitive status as assessed using the MMS exam. Conclusions: 25OHD3 levels were reduced in OHF patients at admission, and significantly decreased during the first 8 days post-admission. 25OHD3 levels were associated with MMS-assessed cognitive status. A greater decline in serum 25OHD3 was associated with a longer hospital stay.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: la vitamina D se ha relacionado con la recuperación tras la fractura osteoporótica de cadera (FOC). Estudios previos muestran un descenso de los niveles de vitamina D en la fase precoz tras la fractura. Objetivos: evaluar: a) los niveles séricos de 25-hidroxivitamina D3 (25OHD3) al ingreso y a los 8 días del ingreso en hospitalizados por FOC; b) la relación de los niveles de 25OHD3 con los resultados clínicos, así como con el nivel cognitivo y funcional. Métodos: estudio prospectivo de 66 pacientes (> 65 años) ingresados por FOC. Se estudiaron las características demográficas, los antecedentes personales, la valoración nutricional, el test Mini Mental State (MMS), el cuestionario Activities of Daily Living (ADL), el tipo de fractura y de cirugía, y parámetros bioquímicos del metabolismo óseo, la 25OHD3, la albúmina y la interleuquina 6. Como resultados clínicos se analizaron: estancia hospitalaria, complicaciones y mortalidad durante el ingreso. El análisis estadístico consistió en: a) prueba de la t para las variables continuas y χ2 para las cualitativas; b) análisis multivariable utilizando modelos de regresión lineal ajustados según el análisis de la covarianza. Resultados: la población estudiada muestra niveles bajos de 25OHD3 al ingreso: media [± error estándar de la media (EEM)] = 12,04 (1,03) ng/mL. Durante el ingreso, 25OHD3 e interleuquina 6 decrecen significativamente (p < 0,001). El descenso de 25OHD3 se asocia con la estancia hospitalaria (p = 0,042 en análisis multivariable). Los valores disminuidos de 25OHD3 se asocian a un bajo nivel cognitivo (p = 0,042). Conclusiones: los pacientes ingresados por fractura osteoporótica de cadera tienen niveles bajos de 25OHD3 que decrecen significativamente tras 8 días de ingreso. El descenso de 25OHD3 se asocia significativamente a la estancia hospitalaria. Los niveles disminuidos de 25OHD3 se asocian a un peor estado cognitivo evaluado mediante el MMS.

Effects of Probiotics on Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials.

The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate whether the use of probiotics has any effect on the components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) before patients develop type 2 diabetes. A qualitative systematic review, following the Cochrane methodology, and a comprehensive literature search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted in PubMed and Scopus from inception until 4 July 2019. According to our inclusion criteria, nine clinical studies were finally analyzed, corresponding to six RCTs. Probiotics intake in patients with MetS resulted in improvements in body mass index, blood pressure, glucose metabolism, and lipid profile in some studies. Regarding inflammatory biomarkers, probiotics also positively affected the soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1), interleukine-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and thrombomodulin. Despite the diversity of the published studies, the intake of probiotics for patients with MetS may offer a discrete improvement in some of the clinical characteristics of the MetS and a decrease in inflammatory biomarkers. Nevertheless, these beneficial effects seem to be marginal compared to drug therapy and a healthy lifestyle and clinically non-relevant.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 and Glucagon-like peptide 2 in relation to osteoporosis in non-diabetic postmenopausal women.

Osteoporosis results from an imbalance in bone remodeling, which is known to follow a circadian rhythm determined by a functional relationship between intestine and bone tissue. Specific intestinal peptides have been identified as mediators. Glucagon-like peptide 1 and glucagon-like peptide 2, have been associated with bone health. Our main objective was to determine whether postprandial plasma levels of glucagon-like peptide 1, glucagon-like peptide 2 and dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 activity, are associated with osteoporosis in non-diabetic postmenopausal women. We studied non-diabetic postmenopausal women with osteoporosis diagnosed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (cases, n = 43) and age-matched (±1 yr) controls without osteoporosis or a history of osteoporotic fracture (n = 43). We measured postprandial plasma levels of glucagon-like peptide 1, glucagon-like peptide 2, and dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 activity, bone mineral density, and baseline levels of bone remodeling markers and analyzed the food intake using a food-frequency questionnaire. Postprandial glucagon-like peptide 1 values were lower (p < 0.001) in cases, µ (SEM) = 116.25 (2.68), than in controls, µ (SEM) = 126.79 (2.68). Glucagon-like peptide 1 was associated with reduced osteoporosis risk in the crude logistic regression analysis [OR (95% CI) = 0.724 (0.53-0.97), p = 0.031] and adjusted analysis [OR = 0.603 (0.38-0.94), p = 0.027]. We found no association of glucagon-like peptide 2, or dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 activity with osteoporosis. Postprandial glucagon-like peptide 1 levels are related to osteoporosis and osteoporosis risk in non-diabetic postmenopausal women. Further studies are required to verify these findings.

[Home and Ambulatory Artificial Nutrition (NADYA) Group Report - Home parenteral nutrition in Spain, 2016]. / Nutrición parenteral domiciliaria en España 2016; informe del Grupo de Nutrición Artificial Domiciliaria y Ambulatoria NADYA.

OBJECTIVE: To communicate HPN data obtained from the HPN registry of the NADYA-SENPE group (www.nadya-senpe.com) for the year 2016. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive analysis of the data collected from adult and pediatric patients with HPN in the NADYA-SENPE group registry from January 1st, 2016 to December 31st, 2016. RESULTS: There were 286 patients from 42 Spanish hospitals (54.2% women), 34 children and 252 adults, with 294 episodes, which represent a prevalence rate of 6.16 patients / million inhabitants / year 2016. The most frequent diagnosis in adults was "palliative cancer" (25.8%), followed by "others". In children it was "motility alterations" with 6 cases (17.6%), Hirschsprung's disease and necrotising enterocolitis, both with 5 children (14.7%). The first indication was short bowel syndrome in both children (64.7%) and adults (37.3%), followed by intestinal obstruction in 28.6% adults and 14.7% in children. The most frequently used type of catheter was tunnelled in both children (70.6%) and adults (37.9%). The most frequent complication in adults was infection related to the catheter, which presented a rate of 0.48 infections / 1,000 days of NPD. During this period, 71 episodes ended in adults and the main cause was death (57.7%) followed by resuming the oral route (31%). CONCLUSIONS: There is a progressive increase of centers and professional collaborators in the registry who report patients receiving parenteral nutrition at home. The main indications of HPN and the motive for ending have remained stable.