Effect of cholecalciferol on vitamin D-regulatory proteins in monocytes and on inflammatory markers in dialysis patients: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hypovitaminosis D and inflammation are highly prevalent among patients undergoing dialysis, and the association of both conditions with worse survival has been well recognized. Although a potential role for vitamin D in the immune system has been suggested, the effect of the treatment of hypovitaminosis D on the modulation of the inflammatory response remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the restoration of the vitamin D status on the expression of vitamin D-regulatory proteins in monocytes and on circulating inflammatory markers in dialysis patients. METHODS: In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled 12-week trial, 38 patients on dialysis with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] <20 ng/mL were randomized either to the cholecalciferol group (n = 20; 50,000 IU of cholecalciferol twice weekly) or to the control group (n = 18; 50 drops of a placebo solution twice weekly). The expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR), CYP27B1, CYP24A1 and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in monocytes was determined by flow cytometry. Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT01974245. RESULTS: After 12 weeks, the serum 25(OH)D increased from 14.3 ± 4.7 ng/mL to 43.1 ± 11.0 ng/mL (p < 0.05) in the cholecalciferol group and did not change in the control group (13.9 ± 4.2 ng/mL to 13.5 ± 4.3 ng/mL; p = 0.56). In monocytes, while CYP27B1 expression and VDR expression increased in the cholecalciferol group (p < 0.05), CYP27B1 expression did not change, and VDR expression decreased in the control group (p < 0.05). There were no changes in IL-6 and CYP24A1 expression in both groups. Serum concentration of IL-6 and CRP decreased from 8.1 ± 6.6 pg/mL to 4.6 ± 4.1 pg/mL (p < 0.05) and from 0.50 (0.10-1.27) mg/dL to 0.28 (0.09-0.62) mg/dL (p < 0.05), respectively only in the cholecalciferol group. Assessed overtime, the treatment group differences in 25(OH) D, PTH, CRP and IL-6, CYP27B1 and VDR remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: Restoration of vitamin D status of patients undergoing dialysis promoted upregulation of CYP27B1 and VDR expression in monocytes and a decrease in circulating inflammatory markers.

Impacto da sessão de hemodiálise na força de preensão manual / Impact of hemodialysis session on handgrip strength

Resumo Introdução: A força de preensão manual (FPM) é um método simples, confiável e com bom valor preditivo para avaliar a função muscular de pacientes submetidos à hemodiálise (HD). Porém, ainda não existe um consenso a respeito do momento mais apropriado para a aferição da medida, já que o desempenho da FPM pode ser influenciado pelas flutuações hidroeletrolíticas e de pressão arterial que acometem esses pacientes. Objetivo: Investigar o impacto da sessão de diálise sobre a FPM em pacientes submetidos à HD. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal com 156 pacientes [57,7% homens, idade mediana de 56,5 (42-67) anos, 28,8% diabéticos, IMC médio de 24,75 ± 4,5 kg/m2 e tempo em HD de 38 (19,25-72,75) meses]. Foram realizadas aferições da FPM com um dinamômetro nos minutos iniciais e ao término da sessão de HD. Os valores obtidos foram comparados com um padrão de referência nacional. Dados clínicos, demográficos e laboratoriais foram coletados do prontuário médico. Resultados: Foi observada uma redução significante da FPM após a sessão de HD (28,6 ± 11,4 kg para 27,7 ± 11,7 kg; p < 0,01). A prevalência de pacientes com FPM abaixo do percentil 30 aumentou de 44,9% para 55,1% (p < 0,01). A redução da pressão arterial durante a diálise foi o único fator que se associou com a redução da FPM. Conclusão: Os achados mostram que o processo de HD influencia negativamente a FPM.

Abstract Introduction: Handgrip strength (HGS) is a simple and reliable method with a good predictive clinical value for assessing muscle function of patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). However, there is no consensus regarding the appropriate moment for performing the HGS measurement since the performance of the HGS can be influenced by fluid, electrolyte and blood pressure changes that affect patients on HD. Objective: To investigate the impact of the dialysis session on the HGS in patients undergoing HD. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with 156 patients [57.7% male, median age of 56.5 (42-67) years old, 28.8% diabetes, mean BMI of 24.75 ± 4.5 kg/m2 and HD vintage of 38 (19.25 to 72.75) months]. Measures of HGS were performed with a dynamometer during the initial minutes of the HD session and at the end of the session. The values obtained were compared with a national standard reference. Clinical, demographic and laboratory data were collected from medical records. Results: A significant reduction of HGS was observed after the HD session (28.6 ± 11.4 kg to 27.7 ± 11.7 kg; p < 0.01). The prevalence of patients with HGS below the 30th percentile increased from 44.9% to 55.1% (p < 0.01). The decrease in blood pressure during dialysis was the only factor associated with the reduction of HGS. Conclusion: These findings show that the HD procedure affects negatively the HGS.

Subjective global assessment for the diagnosis of protein-energy wasting in nondialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease patients.

OBJECTIVES: Subjective global assessment (SGA) has been demonstrated to be a reliable method for protein-energy wasting (PEW) evaluation in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on dialysis. Few data are available on PEW evaluation in nondialysis stages of CKD, and the validity of SGA has been scarcely investigated in this population. Herein, we aimed to evaluate in nondialysis-dependent CKD patients (NDD-CKD): (1) the prevalence of PEW by SGA; (2) the most common abnormalities of the SGA components; and (3) the agreement of SGA with the traditional anthropometric parameters. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study including 922 NDD-CKD patients referred to the renal dietitians in the period of 2001 to 2012. Nutritional status was assessed by 7-point SGA. Body mass index (BMI), midarm circumference, midarm muscle circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness were available from 494 patients. RESULTS: From the 922 patients, 58.6% were men, mean age was 63.8 ± 13.6 years, BMI was 27.7 ± 5.3 kg/m(2). The majority of the patients were in CKD Stages 3 (48.9%) or 4 (40.3%). PEW (SGA ≤5) was present in 11% of the patients and 32% had signs of PEW (SGA 6). In the logistic regression analysis, the presence of comorbidities and worse renal function were independently associated with PEW. Among the SGA components, the most frequent abnormality in patients with PEW was muscle and fat wasting (88.6%). BMI, midarm circumference, midarm muscle circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness were lower across the worse SGA scores, and a moderate to good level of agreement was found between the anthropometric parameters and presence of PEW evaluated by SGA. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of PEW was 11% in our unselected cohort of NDD-CKD patients. The physical examination component (muscle/fat wasting) was the most frequent alteration found in those patients. When compared with anthropometric parameters, 7-point SGA has shown to be a valid tool to assess PEW in NDD-CKD population.

Relationship between hand grip strength and nutritional assessment methods used of hospitalized patients / Relação entre a força do aperto da mão e métodos de avaliação nutricional em hospitalizados

OBJECTIVE: This study verified the association between hand grip strength and body mass index, subjective global assessment and nutritional risk screening 2002. METHODS: This cross-sectional study calculated the body mass index, measured hand grip strength and administered the subjective global assessment and nutritional risk screening 2002 to 118 patients hospitalized at the University Hospital of the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil. Hand grip strength was compared with the reference values for the Brazilian population according to gender and age. The statistical analyses included the Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney test and multiple linear regression. The results were considered significant when p<0.05. RESULTS: The prevalences of nutritional risk or malnutrition according to body mass index, global subjective assessment, nutritional risk screening 2002 and hand grip strength were 3.5%, 50.9%, 33.9% and 35.6%, respectively. Malnourished individuals according to body mass index had, on average, 11.0kg less hand grip strength than the nourished individuals (p=0.008). There was no association between hand grip strength and the subjective global assessment (malnourished individuals had -2.8kg; p=0.078) and nutritional risk screening 2002 (malnourished individuals had -1.5kg; p=0.352). CONCLUSION: Hand grip strength was associated with body mass index but not with the subjective global assessment or nutritional risk screening 2002.

OBJETIVO: Verificar a associação da força do aperto da mão com o índice de massa corporal, a avaliação subjetiva global e o rastreamento de risco nutricional 2002. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 118 pacientes internados no Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brasil. Foi calculado o índice de massa corporal e foram aplicados a avaliação subjetiva global, o rastreamento de risco nutricional 2002 e a força do aperto da mão. Esta última foi comparada aos valores de referência da população brasileira, segundo sexo e idade. Para análise estatística, foi utilizado o teste t Student ou Mann-Whitney e regressão linear múltipla, considerando uma significância estatística de p<0,05. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de risco nutricional ou desnutrição pelo índice de massa corporal, avaliação subjetiva global, rastreamento de risco nutricional 2002 e força do aperto da mão foi de 3,5%, 50,9%, 33,9% e 35,6%, respectivamente. Os indivíduos, identificados como desnutridos pelo índice de massa corporal, tiveram, em média, 11,0kg a menos na força do aperto da mão do que os nutridos (p=0,008). Não houve associação da força do aperto da mão com a avaliação subjetiva global (desnutridos tiveram -2,8kg; p=0,078) e com o rastreamento de risco nutricional 2002 (desnutridos tiveram -1,5kg; p=0,352). CONCLUSÃO: A força do aperto da mão foi associada com o índice de massa corporal, mas não com avaliação subjetiva global ou com o rastreamento de risco nutricional 2002.

Comparison between nutritional risk tools and parameters derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis with subjective global assessment.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional risk and malnutrition are highly prevalent among hospitalized patients. As a result, several methods have been developed to produce an adequate nutritional diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the relationship between nutritional risk tools and parameters derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis with a Subjective Global Assessment (SGA). DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to September 2010. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: The study included 124 patients admitted to the Surgical Clinic I, University Hospital, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil, to undergo elective surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We utilized SGA and Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002), Nutritional Risk Index (NRI), Fat-Free Mass Index (FFMI), Fat Mass Index (FMI), body cell mass as a percentage of the total weight (%BCM), and standardized phase angle (SPA). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS PERFORMED: The agreement was tested by κ coefficient, while bivariate associations were tested by Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Prevalence of nutritional risk by NRS 2002 and NRI or malnutrition by SGA, FFMI, FMI, %BCM, and SPA was 19.3%, 69.5%, 35.5%, 12.9%, 8.1%, 46.8%, and 4.8%, respectively. The best agreement was between SGA and NRS 2002 (κ=.490), possibly because they constitute similar instruments. Patients identified as malnourished by SGA (B+C) showed considerably lower values of FFMI, FMI, BCM, and SPA. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the NRS 2002 and parameters derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis identify patients with impaired nutritional status.