Review article: Putting some muscle into sarcopenia-the pathogenesis, assessment and clinical impact of muscle loss in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia, a loss of skeletal muscle mass or function, affects up to 50% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and is associated with poor clinical outcomes including increased hospitalizations, need for surgery and post-operative complications. Despite the high prevalence and clinical significance of sarcopenia in patients with IBD, few patients undergo routine muscle evaluation. AIM: The goal of this study was to review the mechanisms of sarcopenia in patients with IBD and understand novel modalities to assess and treat impaired muscle mass or function. METHODS: Pubmed and Cochrane databases were searched including articles published up to February 2023 utilizing the following keywords: "inflammatory bowel disease", "IBD", "Crohn's disease", "ulcerative colitis", "sarcopenia", "myosteatosis", "muscle health", and "frailty". RESULTS: The pathogenesis of sarcopenia in IBD is not well defined, however, there is evidence supporting the role of malabsorption, reduced protein intake, chronic inflammation, dysbiosis, decreased physical activity, medication effects and hormone signaling from visceral adiposity. Traditional sarcopenia assessment techniques include direct measurements on cross sectional imaging. However, given the time, cost and radiation exposure associated with cross sectional imaging, new bedside tools are now available to estimate muscle mass, including assessment of grip strength, mid upper arm circumference and body composition utilizing bioelectrical impedance analysis. In addition, novel biomarkers for assessing muscle mass and techniques utilizing point of care ultrasound have been proposed to make sarcopenia evaluation more streamlined in the IBD clinic. CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia is associated with poor clinical outcomes independent of IBD activity and therefore muscle health should be assessed in all IBD patients at routine intervals. Future studies to better our understanding of the pathophysiology as well as most effective management of sarcopenia in IBD will help guide clinical care and reduce disease related complications.

The patient generated subjective global assessment short form is a useful screening tool to detect risk for malnutrition in patients with cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Malnutrition is a modifiable risk factor for morbidity and mortality in cirrhosis. Nutrition risk screening is recommended in cirrhosis nutrition guidelines, but is not routinely completed in practice. The patient-generated subjective global assessment short form (PG-SGA SF) is a patient-completed screen that has potential to be a substitute for more time and resource intensive nutrition screens. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare the PG-SGA SF and three other patient-completed screens against the nutrition assessment reference method in cirrhosis, the Royal Free Hospital subjective global assessment (RFH-SGA). We also explored whether being classified "at-risk" on a nutritional screening tool was associated with clinical outcomes of unplanned hospitalization or death. METHODS: Patients completed four nutrition screening tools with or without support from a caregiver. The RFH-SGA was carried out by a blinded registered dietitian. The four screening tools were compared against the RFH-SGA to calculate sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value. RESULTS: A total of 121 patients were included. The PG-SGA SF screened the highest number of patients positive for malnutrition risk (52%), was the most accurate, and had the highest sensitivity. Being at risk for malnutrition on the PG-SGA SF was associated with a higher risk of unplanned hospitalization (unadjusted sHR 2.78 (95% CI 1.3-5.9), p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The PG-SGA SF identifies malnutrition risk at similar or superior rates to other patient-generated screening tools in patients with cirrhosis. Our findings support its potential as a patient completed solution for identifying malnutrition risk in cirrhosis.

Predicted estimates of resting energy expenditure have limited clinical utility in patients with cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Malnutrition is associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with cirrhosis. Accurate assessment of energy requirements is needed to optimize dietary intake. Resting energy expenditure (REE), the major component of total energy expenditure, can be measured using indirect calorimetry (mREE) or estimated using prediction equations (pREE). This study assessed the usefulness of predicted estimates of REE in this patient population. METHODS: Individual mREE data were available for 900 patients with cirrhosis (mean [±1 SD] age 55.7±11.6 years-old; 70% men; 52% south-east Asian) and 282 healthy controls (mean age 36.0±12.8 years-old; 52% men; 18% south-east Asian). Metabolic status was classified using thresholds based on the mean ± 1 SD of the mREE in the healthy controls. Comparisons were made between mREE and pREE estimates obtained using the Harris-Benedict, Mifflin, Schofield and Henry equations. Stepwise regression was used to build 3 new prediction models which included sex, ethnicity, body composition measures, and model for end-stage liver disease scores. RESULTS: The mean mREE was significantly higher in patients than controls when referenced to dry body weight (22.4±3.8 cf. 20.8±2.6 kcal/kg/24 hr; p <0.001); there were no significant sex differences. The mean mREE was significantly higher in Caucasian than Asian patients (23.1±4.4 cf. 21.7±2.9 kcal/kg/24 hr; p <0.001). Overall, 37.1% of Caucasian and 25.3% of Asian patients were classified as hypermetabolic. The differences between mREE and pREE were both statistically and clinically relevant; in the total patient population, pREE estimates ranged from 501 kcal/24 hr less to 548 kcal/24 hr more than the mREE. Newly derived prediction equations provided better estimates of mREE but still had limited clinical utility. CONCLUSIONS: Prediction equations do not provide useful estimates of REE in patients with cirrhosis. REE should be directly measured. LAY SUMMARY: People with cirrhosis are often malnourished and this has a detrimental effect on outcome. Provision of an adequate diet is very important and is best achieved by measuring daily energy requirements and adjusting dietary intake accordingly. Prediction equations, which use information on age, sex, weight, and height can be used to estimate energy requirements; however, the results they provide are not accurate enough for clinical use, particularly as they vary according to sex and ethnicity.

Epidemiologic Burden and Treatment of Chronic Symptomatic Functional Bowel Disorders in the United States: A Nationwide Analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Functional bowel disorders (FBDs) are the most common gastrointestinal problems managed by physicians. We aimed to assess the burden of chronic symptomatic FBDs on ambulatory care delivery in the United States and evaluate patterns of treatment. METHODS: Data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey were used to estimate annual rates and associated costs of ambulatory visits for symptomatic irritable bowel syndrome, chronic functional abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea. The weighted proportion of visits associated with pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic (stress/mental health, exercise, diet counseling) interventions were calculated, and predictors of treatment strategy were evaluated in multivariable multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: From 2007-2015, approximately 36.9 million (95% CI, 31.4-42.4) weighted visits in patients of non-federally employed physicians for chronic symptomatic FBDs were sampled. There was an annual weighted average of 2.7 million (95% CI, 2.3-3.2) visits for symptomatic irritable bowel syndrome/chronic abdominal pain, 1.0 million (95% CI, 0.8-1.2) visits for chronic constipation, and 0.7 million (95% CI, 0.5-0.8) visits for chronic diarrhea. Pharmacologic therapies were prescribed in 49.7% (95% CI, 44.7-54.8) of visits compared to nonpharmacologic interventions in 19.8% (95% CI, 16.0-24.2) of visits (P < .001). Combination treatment strategies were more likely to be implemented by primary care physicians and in patients with depression or obesity. The direct annual cost of ambulatory clinic visits alone for chronic symptomatic FBDs is approximately US$358 million (95% CI, 233-482 million). CONCLUSIONS: The management of chronic symptomatic FBDs is associated with considerable health care resource use and cost. There may be an opportunity to improve comprehensive FBD management because fewer than 1 in 5 ambulatory visits include nonpharmacologic treatment strategies.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: Nutritional screening and assessment tools in cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Disease-related malnutrition is common in cirrhosis. Multiple studies have evaluated nutritional screening tools (NSTs, rapid bedside tests targeting who needs assessment) and nutritional assessment tools (NATs, used in diagnosing malnutrition) as predictors of clinical outcome in this population. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of this literature with the aim of summarising the varying definitions of malnutrition across studies, the available evidence for NSTs and the ability of NSTs and NATs to predict clinical outcomes in cirrhosis. METHODS: The primary outcome measures were pre- and post-transplant mortality with a range of secondary outcomes. Inclusion: cirrhosis over age 16. Exclusion: >25% with hepatocellular carcinoma, primarily laboratory test-based NATs or lack of screening, assessment or outcome criteria. RESULTS: Eight thousand eight hundred fifty patients were included across 47 studies. Only 3 studies assessed NSTs. Thirty-two definitions for malnutrition were utilised across studies. NATs predicted pre-transplant mortality in 69% of cases that were assessed with a risk ratio (RR) of 2.38 (95% CI 1.96-2.89). NATs were prognostic for post-transplant mortality only 28% of the times they were assessed, with a RR of 3.04 (95% CI 1.51-6.12). CONCLUSIONS: The cirrhosis literature includes limited data on nutrition screening and multiple definitions for what constitutes malnutrition using NATs. Despite this discordance, it is clear that malnutrition is a valuable predictor of pre-transplant mortality almost regardless of how it is defined. We require clinical and research consensus around the definition of malnutrition and the accepted processes and cut-points for nutrition screening and assessment in cirrhosis.

Dietary Patterns and Components in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): What Key Messages Can Health Care Providers Offer?

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a rising epidemic worldwide and will be the leading cause of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver transplant within the next decade. NAFLD is considered as the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Behaviors, such as a sedentary lifestyle and consuming a Western diet, have led to substantial challenges in managing NAFLD patients. With no curative pharmaceutical therapies, lifestyle modifications, including dietary changes and exercise, that ultimately lead to weight loss remain the only effective therapy for NAFLD. Multiple diets, including low-carbohydrate, low-fat, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), and Mediterranean (MD) diets, have been evaluated. NAFLD patients have shown better outcomes with a modified diet, such as the MD diet, where patients are encouraged to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and olive oil. It is increasingly clear that a personalized approach to managing NAFLD patients, based on their preferences and needs, should be implemented. In our review, we cover NAFLD management, with a specific focus on dietary patterns and their components. We emphasize the successful approaches highlighted in recent studies to provide recommendations that health care providers could apply in managing their NAFLD patients.

Systematic review of nutrition screening and assessment in inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is prevalent in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Multiple nutrition screening (NST) and assessment tools (NAT) have been developed for general populations, but the evidence in patients with IBD remains unclear. AIM: To systematically review the prevalence of abnormalities on NSTs and NATs, whether NSTs are associated with NATs, and whether they predict clinical outcomes in patients with IBD. METHODS: Comprehensive searches performed in Medline, CINAHL Plus and PubMed. Included: English language studies correlating NSTs with NATs or NSTs/NATs with clinical outcomes in IBD. Excluded: Review articles/case studies; use of body mass index/laboratory values as sole NST/NAT; age < 16. RESULTS: Of 16 studies and 1618 patients were included, 72% Crohn's disease and 28% ulcerative colitis. Four NSTs (the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, Malnutrition Inflammation Risk Tool (MIRT), Saskatchewan Inflammatory Bowel Disease Nutrition Risk Tool (SaskIBD-NRT) and Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) were significantly associated with nutritional assessment measures of sarcopenia and the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA). Three NSTs (MIRT, NRS-2002 and Nutritional Risk Index) were associated with clinical outcomes including hospitalizations, need for surgery, disease flares, and length of stay (LOS). Sarcopenia was the most commonly evaluated NAT associated with outcomes including the need for surgery and post-operative complications. The SGA was not associated with clinical outcomes aside from LOS. CONCLUSION: There is limited evidence correlating NSTs, NATs and clinical outcomes in IBD. Although studies support the association of NSTs/NATs with relevant outcomes, the heterogeneity calls for further studies before an optimal tool can be recommended. The NRS-2002, measures of sarcopenia and developments of novel NSTs/NATs, such as the MIRT, represent key, clinically-relevant areas for future exploration.

Are Predictive Energy Expenditure Equations Accurate in Cirrhosis?

Malnutrition is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in cirrhosis. An accurate nutrition prescription is an essential component of care, often estimated using time-efficient predictive equations. Our aim was to compare resting energy expenditure (REE) estimated using predictive equations (predicted REE, pREE) versus REE measured using gold-standard, indirect calorimetry (IC) (measured REE, mREE). We included full-text English language studies in adults with cirrhosis comparing pREE versus mREE. The mean differences across studies were pooled with RevMan 5.3 software. A total of 17 studies (1883 patients) were analyzed. The pooled cohort was comprised of 65% men with a mean age of 53 ± 7 years. Only 45% of predictive equations estimated energy requirements to within 90⁻110% of mREE using IC. Eighty-three percent of predictive equations underestimated and 28% overestimated energy needs by ±10%. When pooled, the mean difference between the mREE and pREE was lowest for the Harris⁻Benedict equation, with an underestimation of 54 (95% CI: 30⁻137) kcal/d. The pooled analysis was associated with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 94%). In conclusion, predictive equations calculating REE have limited accuracy in patients with cirrhosis, most commonly underestimating energy requirements and are associated with wide variations in individual comparative data.

Nutritional status and the performance of multiple bedside tools for nutrition assessment among patients waiting for liver transplantation: A Canadian experience.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is an important predictor of morbidity and mortality among cirrhotic patients. Our objectives were to assess protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) in cirrhotic pre-liver transplant patients and to study the correlation between subjective global assessment (SGA) and other objective measures of malnutrition. METHODS: We recruited pre-liver transplant adult patients at our center between October 2012 and Oct 2015. Nutrition status was assessed via SGA. PCM was assessed by comparing recommended to actual protein and calorie intake. SGA was correlated with body mass index (BMI), dry BMI, handgrip strength by calibrated dynometer (HGS), and mid-arm circumference (MAC). We used non-parametric statistical methods in our analysis. RESULTS: Seventy patients were included in this study. Majority were males (n = 46, 66%) with a median age of 58 years (IQR: 50-61). Moderate to severe malnutrition was prevalent in our cohort (SGA-A: n = 15 (21.4%), SGA-B: n = 30 (42.9%) and SGA-C: n = 25 (35.7%). There was a significant difference in the recommended calories consumed between SGA groups (A 98.5% vs. C 79.2%, P = 0.03). A similar trend was observed for the recommended protein consumed (A 85.4%, C 62.5%; P = 0.09). SGA correlated with BMI (A = 26.4, C = 22.4; P<0.01), Dry BMI (A = 25.9, C = 20.4; P<0.01), HGS (A = 67.0, C = 47.0 PSI; P = 0.03), and MAC (A = 29.5 cm, C = 22.0 cm; P<0.01). HGS and MAC were strongly correlated (Spearman correlation 0.49, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Cirrhotic patients have significant protein-calorie malnutrition. Multiple malnutrition tools including BMI, dry BMI, HGS and MAC were precisely able to assess malnutrition.

A practical approach to nutritional screening and assessment in cirrhosis.

Malnutrition is one of the most common complications of cirrhosis, associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. As a potentially modifiable condition, it is of particular importance to identify malnourished patients so that nutritional therapy can be instituted. Nutrition screening and assessment are infrequently performed in patients with cirrhosis. The reasons for this are multifactorial, including the absence of a validated "rapid" screening tool, multiple definitions of what constitutes malnutrition, and challenges with interpreting body composition and laboratory results in the setting of volume overload and liver dysfunction. This article summarizes the clinically relevant evidence and presents key issues, tools, and clinical options that are applicable to patients with cirrhosis. The definition, etiology, and clinically relevant outcomes associated with malnutrition are reviewed. Rapid nutritional screening is differentiated from more detailed nutritional assessment. Nutritional assessment in special populations, including women and the obese, and the role of inflammation are discussed. Multicenter studies using a common nutritional screening/assessment strategy are the next steps to fast-track adoption and implementation of nutrition-related evaluations into routine clinical practice. (Hepatology 2017;65:1044-1057).

Prevalence and mechanisms of malnutrition in patients with advanced liver disease, and nutrition management strategies.

Malnutrition is prevalent among cirrhotic patients and is an important prognostic factor. Etiologic factors include hypermetabolism, malabsorption, altered nutrient metabolism, and anorexia. It is a challenge to manage nutrition in cirrhotic patients because of alterations to metabolic and storage functions of the liver; use of traditional assessment tools, such as anthropometric and biometric measures, is difficult because of complications such as ascites and inflammation. In addition to meeting macro- and micronutrient requirements, the composition and timing of supplements have been proposed to affect efficacy of nutrition support. Studies have indicated that branched chain aromatic acid can be given as therapeutic nutrients, and that probiotics and nocturnal feeding improve patient outcomes.

How much do gastroenterology fellows know about nutrition?

BACKGROUND: Many people are afflicted with chronic diseases, in which nutrition plays a key role. The need for greater nutrition training among physicians, particularly gastroenterologists, is becoming increasingly evident. OBJECTIVES: To determine the nutritional knowledge and perceived nutrition knowledge of gastroenterology fellows. METHODS: Thirty-two gastrointestinal (GI) fellows currently enrolled in a GI fellowship program completed a needs assessment evaluating perceived nutrition knowledge and interest in the areas of nutrition support, assessment, obesity, micro/macronutrients, and nutrition in GI diseases. Additionally, an examination evaluating nutrition knowledge specific to gastroenterology fellows was administered. RESULTS: Thirty-two GI fellows completed the needs assessment. Cronbach alpha of the needs assessment instrument was 0.72, indicating satisfactory internal consistency reliability. GI fellows perceived themselves to have the least knowledge in obesity and micro/macronutrients. They indicated a perceived greater knowledge base in nutrition assessment. The mean total test score was 50.04% (SD=7.84%). Fellows had the highest score in the subscale of nutrition assessment (80.64%; SD=19.05%), which was significantly higher than scores obtained in nutrition support (49.45%; SD=11.98%; P<0.05), micro/macronutrients (37.84%; SD=16.94%; P<0.05), obesity (40.11%; SD=20.00%; P<0.05), and nutrition in GI diseases (65.05%; SD=22.09%; P<0.05). A backward linear regression including hours of nutrition education received during GI fellowship, hours of nutrition education received during medical school, and year of GI fellowship accounted for 22.7% of the variance in test performance (multiple R=0.477). CONCLUSIONS: Gastroenterology fellows think their knowledge of nutrition is suboptimal; objective evaluation of nutrition knowledge in this cohort confirmed this belief. A formal component of nutrition education could be developed in the context of GI fellowship education and continuing medical education as necessary.

Gastroenterology fellowship training: approaches to curriculum assessment and evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Medical education requires ongoing curriculum development and evaluation to incorporate new knowledge and competencies. The Kern model of curricular development is a generic model to guide curriculum design, whereas the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) has a specific model for curriculum development through its accreditation structure. OBJECTIVE: To apply the Kern model to an assessment of a residency program in gastroenterology. METHODS: A case study was used, which is a method of qualitative research designed to help researchers understand people and the societal contexts in which they live. RESULTS: The six steps involved in the Kern model of curricular development include problem identification; needs assessment; establishing objectives; establishing educational strategies; implementation; and evaluation. The steps of the RCPSC model of curriculum development include establishing an administrative structure for the program; objectives; structure and organization of the program; resources; clinical, academic and scholarly content of the program; and evaluation. Two differences between the models for curriculum development include the ability of the Kern model to conduct problem identification and learner needs assessment. Identifying problems that exist suggests a need for an educational program, such as the long wait times for gastroenterology referrals. Assessing learner needs allows for the development of a tailored curriculum for the trainee. CONCLUSIONS: The Kern model and RCPSC model for curriculum development are complementary. Consideration by the RCPSC should be provided to add the missing elements of curriculum design to the accreditation structure for completeness.

Nutritional assessment and hepatic fatty acid composition in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Low hepatic n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) may contribute to steatosis and steatohepatitis and can be affected by diet and oxidative stress. METHODS: Seventy-three patients referred for elevated liver enzymes and suspected NAFLD were assessed. Nutritional assessment, hepatic FA composition and oxidative stress were compared between these groups: simple steatosis (SS, n=18), steatohepatitis (NASH, n=38) and minimal findings on liver biopsy (MF, n=17). RESULTS: Patients with NASH had higher: BMI, central obesity, body fat, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and lower physical activity compared to the other groups. They also had relatively lower hepatic n-3 and n-6 PUFA, a decrease in the ratio of metabolites to essential FA precursors for both n-6 and n-3 FA (eicosapentaenoic+docosahexaenoic/linolenic and arachidonic/linoleic acid ratios) and higher liver lipid peroxides with lower antioxidant power, when compared to MF. Overall, there was no significant difference between SS and NASH in FA composition. Self-reported dietary intake and red blood cell FA composition were similar among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: NASH patients have more metabolic abnormalities. This is associated with higher oxidative stress and lower n-3 and n-6 PUFA in the liver in the absence of any differences in dietary FA composition.