Dynamic assessment of prealbumin for nutrition support effectiveness in critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Serum prealbumin is considered to be a sensitive predictor of clinical outcomes and a quality marker for nutrition support. However, its susceptibility to inflammation restricts its usage in critically ill patients according to current guidelines. We assessed the performance of the initial value of prealbumin and dynamic changes for predicting the ICU mortality and the effectiveness of nutrition support in critically ill patients. METHODS: This monocentric study included patients admitted to the ICU between 2009 and 2016, having at least one initial prealbumin value available. Prospectively recorded data were extracted from the electronic ICU charts. We used both univariable and multivariable logistic regressions to estimate the performance of prealbumin for the prediction of ICU mortality. Additionally, the association between prealbumin dynamic changes and nutrition support was assessed via a multivariable linear mixed-effects model and multivariable linear regression. Performing subgroup analysis assisted in identifying patients for whom prealbumin dynamic assessment holds specific relevance. RESULTS: We included 3136 patients with a total of 4942 prealbumin levels available. Both prealbumin measured at ICU admission (adjusted odds-ratio (aOR) 0.04, confidence interval (CI) 95% 0.01-0.23) and its change over the first week (aOR 0.02, CI 95 0.00-0.19) were negatively associated with ICU mortality. Throughout the entire ICU stay, prealbumin dynamic changes were associated with both cumulative energy (estimate: 33.2, standard error (SE) 0.001, p < 0.01) and protein intakes (1.39, SE 0.001, p < 0.01). During the first week of stay, prealbumin change was independently associated with mean energy (6.03e-04, SE 2.32e-04, p < 0.01) and protein intakes (1.97e-02, SE 5.91e-03, p < 0.01). Notably, the association between prealbumin and energy intake was strongest among older or malnourished patients, those suffering from increased inflammation and those with high disease severity. Finally, prealbumin changes were associated with a positive mean nitrogen balance at day 7 only in patients with SOFA <4 (p = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Prealbumin measured at ICU admission and its change during the first-week serve as an accurate predictor of ICU mortality. Prealbumin dynamic assessment may be a reliable tool to estimate the effectiveness of nutrition support in the ICU, especially among high-risk patients.

[Clinical practice guidelines for nutritional assessment and monitoring of adult ICU patients in China].

The Chinese Society of Critical Care Medicine (CSCCM) has developed the clinical practice guidelines of nutrition assessment and monitoring for patients in adult intensive care unit (ICU) of China. This guideline focuses on nutrition assessment and metabolic monitoring to achieve the optimal and individualized nutrition therapy for critical ill patients. This guideline was made by experts in critical care medicine and evidence-based medicine methodology and was developed after a thorough system review and summary of relevant trials or studies published from 2000 to July 2023. A total of 18 recommendations were formed and consensus was reached through discussions and review by expert groups in critical care medicine, parenteral and enteral nutrition, and surgery. The recommendations are based on the currently available evidence and cover several key fields, including nutrition risk screening and assessment, evaluation and assessment of enteral feeding intolerance, metabolic and nutritional measurement and monitoring during nutrition therapy, and organ function evaluation related to nutrition supply. Each question was analyzed according to the PICO principle. In addition, interpretations were provided for four questions that did not reach a consensus but may have potential clinical and research value. The plan is to update this nutrition assessment and monitoring guideline using the international guideline update method within 3 to 5 years.

Multidisciplinary Assessment and Individualized Nutritional Management of Dysphagia in Older Outpatients.

INTRODUCTION: The evidence on the efficacy of nutrition therapy to prevent complications of dysphagia is based on observational studies that used different tools for nutritional and dysphagia assessment, and different scales for the definition of diet textures, rendering their results incomparable and the knowledge on dysphagia management inconclusive. METHODS: This retrospective observational study was performed in 267 older outpatients who were assessed for dysphagia and nutritional status by a multidisciplinary team at the Clinical Nutrition Unit of IRCCS INRCA geriatric research hospital (Ancona, Italy) from 2018 to 2021. GUSS test and ASHA-NOMS measurement systems were used for dysphagia assessment, GLIM criteria for the assessment of nutritional status, and the IDDSI framework to describe the texture-modified diets. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the characteristics of the subjects evaluated. Sociodemographic, functional and clinical parameters were compared between patients with and without BMI improvement overtime by an unpaired Student's t test, Mann-Whitney U test or Chi square test, as appropriate. RESULTS: Dysphagia was diagnosed in more than 96.0% of subjects; 22.1% (n = 59) of dysphagic subjects were also malnourished. Dysphagia was treated exclusively by nutrition therapy, prevalently by individualized texture-modified diets (77.4%). For the classification of diet texture, the IDDSI framework was used. The follow-up visit was attended by 63.7% (n = 102) of subjects. Aspiration pneumonia was registered only in one patient (less than 1%), and BMI improved in 13 of 19 malnourished subjects (68.4%). The improvement of nutritional status was primarily reached in subjects whose energy intake was increased and texture of solids modified, in younger subjects, and in those taking less drugs and not reporting any weight loss before the first assessment. CONCLUSIONS: The nutritional management of dysphagia must guarantee both an adequate consistency and energy-protein intake. Evaluations and outcomes should be described with universal scales, in order to allow for comparison between studies and contribute to the collection of a critical mass of evidence on the efficacy of texture-modified diets in the management of dysphagia and its complications.

Optimizing the nutrition support care model: Analysis of survey data.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is underrecognized and underdiagnosed, despite high prevalence rates and associated poor clinical outcomes. The involvement of clinical nutrition experts, especially physicians, in the care of high-risk patients with malnutrition remains low despite evidence demonstrating lower complication rates with nutrition support team (NST) management. To facilitate solutions, a survey was designed to elucidate the nature of NSTs and physician involvement and identify needs for novel nutrition support care models. METHODS: This survey assessed demographics of NSTs, factors contributing to the success of NSTs, elements of nutrition education, and other barriers to professional growth. RESULTS: Of 255 respondents, 235 complete surveys were analyzed. The geographic distribution of respondents correlated with population concentrations of the United States (r = 90.8%, p < .0001). Most responding physicians (46/57; 80.7%) reported being a member of NSTs, compared with 56.5% (88/156) of dietitians. Of those not practicing in NSTs (N = 81/235, 34.4%), 12.3% (10/81) reported an NST was previously present at their institution but had been disbanded. Regarding NSTs, financial concerns were common (115/235; 48.9%), followed by leadership (72/235; 30.6%), and healthcare professional (HCP) interest (55/235; 23.4%). A majority (173/235; 73.6%) of all respondents wanted additional training in nutrition but reported insufficient protected time, ability to travel, or support from administrators or other HCPs. CONCLUSION: Core actions resulting from this survey focused on formalizing physician roles, increasing interdisciplinary nutrition support expertise, utilizing cost-effective screening for malnutrition, and implementing intervention protocols. Additional actions included increasing funding for clinical practice, education, and research, all within an expanded portfolio of pragmatic nutrition support care models.

Uso de la fórmula extensamente hidrolizada de proteína con 30% o más de triglicéridos de cadena media en el manejo nutricional de niños menores de cinco años, con cirrosis hepática colestásica, candidatos a trasplante hepático y postrasplantados hasta los seis meses / Use of extensively hydrolyzed protein formula with 30% or more of medium chain triglycerides in the nutritional management of children under five years of age, with cholestatic liver cirrhosis, liver transplant candidates and post-transplant patients up to six months

INTRODUCCIÓN: El presente dictamen expone la evaluación de la eficacia y seguridad de la fórmula extensamente hidrolizada de proteína con 30 % o más de triglicéridos de cadena media (TCM), en comparación con la mejor terapia de soporte nutricional, para preservar y/o mejorar el estado nutricional de niños menores de cinco años, con cirrosis hepática, con colestasis y candidatos a trasplante y postrasplantados hasta los seis meses. La cirrosis hepática es una condición producida por daño hepático crónico que conduce a falla hepática y reemplazo del parénquima hepático por tejido cicatricial. En recién nacidos, se describe una incidencia de aproximadamente 0.8 casos por cada 10,000 y en el Perú no se dispone de estudios epidemiológicos sobre esta patología. El trasplante hepático incrementa la sobrevida y calidad de vida de los pacientes pediátricos con enfermedad hepática crónica. La colestasis, una condición que suele presentarse en estos pacientes, limita la absorción de grasas a nivel intestinal; por tal

Relevance of nutritional assessment and treatment to counteract cardiac cachexia and sarcopenia in chronic heart failure.

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is frequently associated with the involuntary loss of body weight and muscle wasting, which can determine the course of the disease and its prognosis. While there is no gold standard malnutrition screening tool for their detection in the CHF population, several bioelectrical and imaging methods have been used to assess body composition in these patients (such as Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry and muscle ultrasound, among other techniques). In addition, numerous nutritional biomarkers have been found to be useful in the determination of the nutritional status. Nutritional considerations include the slow and progressive supply of nutrients, avoiding high volumes, which could ultimately lead to refeeding syndrome and worsen the clinical picture. If oral feeding is insufficient, hypercaloric and hyperproteic supplementation should be considered. ß-Hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid administration prove to be beneficial in certain patients with CHF, and several interventional studies with micronutrient supplementation have also described their possible role in these subjects. Taking into account that CHF is sometimes associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction, parenteral nutritional support may be required in selected cases. In addition, potential therapeutic options regarding nutritional state and muscle wasting have also been tested in clinical studies. This review summarises the scientific evidence that demonstrates the necessity to carry out a careful nutritional evaluation and nutritional treatment to prevent or improve cardiac cachexia and sarcopenia in CHF, as well as improve its course.

A Novel Substrate-Inspired Fluorescence-Based Albumin Detection Improves Assessment of Clinical Outcomes in Hemodialysis Patients Receiving a Nursing Nutrition Intervention.

BACKGROUND Albumin level does not precisely reflect nutritional status. We aimed to investigate the impact of a nutrition intervention on hemodialysis patients by use of fluorescence-based plasma albumin (FPA) detection. MATERIAL AND METHODS Eighty patients underwent maintenance hemodialysis for more than half a year and had a mean albumin <3.5 g/dL for over 3 months. The subjects were randomly divided into either a Control Group (CG) or an Intervention Group (IG). The IG received nutritional supplementation, and the CG group received routine nutritional support for 12 months. FPA and plasma albumin (PA) concentrations were measured. The fluorescence probe 1,3-Dichloro-7-hydroxy-9,9-dimethyl-2(9H)-acridone methyl biphenyl benzoate was used in FPA detection. Quality of life was estimated using WHOQOL-BREF (Quality of Life Scale developed through the World Health Organization), the 36-Item Short-Form Survey (SF-36), and the 6-minute walking test (6MWT). RESULTS After a 6-month and a 12-month intervention, PA and FPA concentrations increased, and the increase in FPA concentration was higher than that of PA in the IG group (P<0.05). Comparatively, the parameters of quality of life and 6MWT were improved in the IG group (P<0.05) but there were only minor changes in the CG group (P>0.05). There is an obvious association between the changes in FPA concentration and the parameters of quality of life and 6MWT but not PA. CONCLUSIONS Use of the fluorescence probe improves the detection sensitivity of plasma albumin and provides a potential method to assess clinical outcomes in hemodialysis patients.

Bridging Policy and Service Performance of Hospital-Based Nutrition Support by Healthcare Information Technology.

Although the healthcare policy was implemented to incentivize the multidisciplinary services of hospital-based nutrition support team (NST) in South Korea, timely completion of the services has been challenging in the hospitals. We enhanced NST healthcare information technology (NST-HIT) to bridge the gap between policy implementation and seamless execution of the policy in the hospital system. A 48 month pre-test-post-test study was performed, including a 12 month pre-intervention period, a six month intervention period, and a 30 month post-intervention period. The enhanced NST-HIT provided sufficient patient data and streamlined communication processes among end-users. A Student's t-test showed that the timely completion rate of NST consultations, the reimbursement rate of NST consultations, average response times of NST physicians and nurses, and length of hospital stay significantly improved during the post-intervention period. A segmented regression analysis of interrupted time series showed that the average response times of NST physicians had sustained after the interventions. We believe that well-structured, multi-pronged initiatives with leadership support from the hospital improved service performance of hospital NST in response to national-level healthcare policy changes.

Ending malnutrition in all its forms requires scaling up proven nutrition interventions and much more: a 129-country analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2.2 calls for an end to all forms of malnutrition, with 2025 targets of a 40% reduction in stunting (relative to 2012), for wasting to occur in less than 5% of children, and for a 50% reduction in anaemia in women (15-49 years). We assessed the likelihood of countries reaching these targets by scaling up proven interventions and identified priority interventions, based on cost-effectiveness. METHODS: For 129 countries, the Optima Nutrition model was used to compare 2019-2030 nutrition outcomes between a status quo (maintained intervention coverage) scenario and a scenario where outcome-specific interventions were scaled up to 95% coverage over 5 years. The average cost-effectiveness of each intervention was calculated as it was added to an expanding package of interventions. RESULTS: Of the 129 countries modelled, 46 (36%), 66 (51%) and 0 (0%) were on track to achieve the stunting, wasting and anaemia targets respectively. Scaling up 18 nutrition interventions increased the number of countries reaching the SDG 2.2 targets to 50 (39%), 83 (64%) and 7 (5%) respectively. Intermittent preventative treatment of malaria during pregnancy (IPTp), infant and young child feeding education, vitamin A supplementation and lipid-based nutrition supplements for children produced 88% of the total impact on stunting, with average costs per case averted of US$103, US$267, US$556 and US$1795 when interventions were consecutively scaled up, respectively. Vitamin A supplementation and cash transfers produced 100% of the total global impact on prevention of wasting, with average costs per case averted of US$1989 and US$19,427, respectively. IPTp, iron and folic acid supplementation for non-pregnant women, and multiple micronutrient supplementation for pregnant women produced 85% of the total impact on anaemia prevalence, with average costs per case averted of US$9, US$35 and US$47, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Prioritising nutrition investment to the most cost-effective interventions within the country context can maximise the impact of funding. A greater focus on complementing nutrition-specific interventions with nutrition-sensitive ones that address the social determinants of health is critical to reach the SDG targets.

Modern Challenges to Gastrointestinal Nutrition Physicians and the Nutrition Support Team: Cautionary Tales and Call to Action.

The current climate of healthcare economics in the United States has imposed unprecedented market stressors on health institutions traditionally providing tertiary care to those with the most challenging healthcare needs. In such a stressed financial atmosphere, administrators look to streamline costs and cut margins as tightly as possible. This often results in restructuring, consolidating, or closing service lines that are perceived as unprofitable or unsupportable. Nutrition support often falls into this category because of few sources of direct revenue-generating activities and poor reimbursement from third-party payers. This article discusses the challenges to modern nutrition support teams, particularly those with gastroenterologists as physician leaders, and delineates market forces that need shifting to continue to make this a viable part of the healthcare system.

Economic value of nutritional support methods in gastrointestinal cancer: A quantitative meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Multiple studies of the relative economic value of different nutritional support methods for patients with gastrointestinal cancer have provided inconsistent results. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: The PUBMED and EMBASE databases were systematically searched through September 30, 2018to identify latent studies of the benefits of parenteral nutrition (PN), enteral nutrition (EN) or conventional intervention (CI) in gastrointestinal cancer patients. A fixed-effects model or random-effects model was applied depending on the heterogeneity of the studies. Statistical analysis was conducted using R software. A total of 728 studies were reviewed, and 21 studies published from 1998 to 2018 were included in the final analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that the hospitalization expenditure of the EN group was 3938 RMB less than that of the PN group. Similarly, the EN group had a shorter length of hospitalization than the PN and CI groups. The infection rate was lower in the EN group (12%) than in the PN group (16%) and CI group (20%). Subgroup analysis showed that gastrointestinal cancer patients who received oral nutritional supplements had the lowest infection rate (11%) after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: EN, especially oral nutritional supplements, has a positive economic impact on patients with gastrointestinal cancer, based on reductions in the post-operative infection rate, length of hospitalization, and hospitalization expenditure.

Nutritional concerns of survivors of childhood cancer: A "First World" perspective.

Childhood cancer survivor (CCS) numbers are increasing as a result of advances in both treatment and supportive care. This positive outcome is tempered by the recognition of a high burden of chronic health conditions. Here, we review the nutritional concerns of CCS, including dietary habits after treatment and the factors during treatment that may contribute to chronic health conditions. Dietary interventions that have been conducted in CCS will be summarized along with focused goals of these interventions. We will also address the need to leverage these interventions to reduce the risk of chronic disease in CCS.

Energy expenditure and caloric targets during continuous renal replacement therapy under regional citrate anticoagulation. A viewpoint.

BACKGROUND: Indirect calorimetry (IC) is the gold standard for measuring energy expenditure in critically ill patients However, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is a formal contraindication for IC use. AIMS: To discuss specific issues that hamper or preclude an IC-based assessment of energy expenditure and correct caloric prescription in CRRT-treated patients. METHODS: Narrative review of current literature. RESULTS: Several relevant pitfalls for validation of IC during CRRT were identified. First, IC measures CO2 production (VCO2) and O2 consumption to calculate resting energy expenditure (REE) with the Weir equation. VCO2 measurements are influenced by CRRT because CO2 is exchanged during the blood purification process. CO2 exchange also depends on type of pre- and/or postdilution fluid(s). CO2 dissolves in different forms with dynamic but unpredictable impact on VCO2. Second, the effect of immunologic activation and heat loss on REE caused by extracorporeal circulation during CRRT is poorly documented. Third, caloric prescription should be adapted to CRRT-induced in- and efflux of different nutrients. Finally, citrate, which is the preferred anticoagulant for CRRT, is a caloric source that may influence IC measurements and REE. CONCLUSION: Better understanding of CRRT-related processes is needed to assess REE and provide individualized nutritional therapy in this condition.

Nutrition Risk in Hospitalized Pediatric Patients: Higher Complication Rate and Higher Costs Related to Malnutrition.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalized children present higher rates of undernutrition. Malnutrition can lead to a more complex hospitalization process with an increased length of stay and higher costs. Our aim was to analyze nutrition risk in hospitalized children and its relationship with clinical outcomes in a tertiary level hospital. METHODS: This is a single institution prospective observational study. The research involved 282 consecutive children admitted along 3 months. Anthropometric measurements and nutrition risk by means of the Screening Tool for Risk on Nutritional Status and Growth (STRONGkids) tool were performed at admission. The incidence of infectious complications, length of hospital stay, weight loss, hospital expenses, and need of nutrition support were recorded. RESULTS: The percentage of children with high, moderate, and low nutrition risk was 12.8%, 45%, and 42%, respectively. The prevalence of acute and chronic malnutrition was 13.7% and 7.4%. STRONGkids score correlated with clinical outcomes: longer stay, higher hospital expenses, and need of nutrition support were observed in children with high nutrition risk scores compared with the other groups (P < 0.001). The overall incidence of infectious complications was low (3.5%); a higher STRONGkids score did not predict a higher rate. CONCLUSION: Hospitalized children exposed to high nutrition risk have poorer clinical outcomes: longer stay, higher hospital expenses, and need of nutrition support. More studies are required to assess if applying STRONGkids and starting a nutrition intervention would result in lower costs and a shorter length of stay.

Optimizing the Use of Human Milk Cream Supplement in Very Preterm Infants: Growth and Cost Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: An exclusive human milk-based diet has been shown to decrease necrotizing enterocolitis and improve outcomes for infants ≤1250 g birth weight. Studies have shown that infants who received an exclusive human milk diet with a donor-human milk-derived cream supplement (cream) had improved weight and length velocity when the cream was added to mother's own milk or donor-human milk when energy was <20 kcal/oz using a human milk analyzer. Our objective was to compare growth and cost outcomes of infants ≤1250 g birth weight fed with an exclusive human milk diet, with and without human milk cream, without the use of a human milk analyzer. METHODS: Two cohorts of human milk-fed premature infants were compared from birth to 34 weeks postmenstrual age. Group 1 (2010-2011) received a donor-human milk fortifier, whereas Group 2 (2015-2016) received donor-human milk fortifier plus the commercial cream supplement, if weight gain was <15 g/kg/d. RESULTS: There was no difference in growth between the 2 groups for weight (P = 0.32) or head circumference (P = 0.90). Length velocity was greater for Group 1 (P = 0.03). The mean dose of donor-human milk fortifier was lower in Group 2 (P < 0.001). Group 2 saved an average of $2318 per patient on the cost of human milk products (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Infants receiving a human milk diet with cream supplementation for growth faltering achieve appropriate growth in a cost-effective feeding strategy.

Cost-effectiveness of an exercise and nutritional intervention versus usual nutritional care during adjuvant treatment for localized breast cancer: the PASAPAS randomized controlled trial.

We undertook a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) to compare an exercise and nutritional program with the usual nutritional care concomitant to adjuvant chemotherapy in localized breast cancer patients. The CEA was designed as part of the interventional, controlled, randomized, single-center, open-label PASAPAS study. Breast cancer patients receiving first-line adjuvant chemotherapy at a French Comprehensive Cancer Center were randomized 2:1 to a 6-month exercise program of supervised indoor and outdoor group sessions in addition to usual nutritional care (exercise arm) or a usual nutritional care group receiving dietary and physical activity counseling (control arm). Costs were assessed from the French national insurance perspective (in Euros, 2012). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated for four criteria: body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage, and estimated aerobic capacity. Uncertainty around the ICERs was captured by a probabilistic analysis using a non-parametric bootstrap method. The analysis was based on 60 patients enrolled between 2011 and 2013. Average intervention costs per participant were €412 in the exercise arm (n = 41) and €117 (n = 19) in the control arm. Total mean costs were €17,344 (standard deviation 9,928) and €20,615 (standard deviation 14,904), respectively, did not differ significantly (p = 0.51). The 6-month exercise program was deemed to be cost-effective compared with usual care for the estimated aerobic capacity. Multicenter randomized studies with long-term costs and outcomes should be done to provide additional evidence. Clinical trial: The PASAPAS study is registered under ClinicalTrials.gov. Trial registration ID: NCT01331772.