[A randomized controlled trial of preoperative oral immunonutrition in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer: hospital stay and health care costs]. / Estudio prospectivo y randomizado sobre inmunonutrición oral preoperatoria en pacientes intervenidos por cáncer colorrectal: estancia hospitalaria y costos sanitarios.

BACKGROUND: The use of enteral formulas with immunonutrients in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies susceptible to surgery can reduce postoperative morbidity, at the expense of reduced infectious complications, with the consequent reduction in hospital stay and health care costs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective randomized study. 84 patients operated on a scheduled basis for resectable colorectal cancer were recruited. In the group YES IN Impact © Oral was administered for 8 days (3 sachets a day), compared with the NOT IN group who did not receive it. RESULTS: 40.5% (17) patients without immunonutrition suffered infectious complications vs. 33.3% (14) of YES IN. In patients with rectal cancer NOT IN, 50% (8) suffered minor infectious complications (p=.028). In each group (YES IN, NOT IN, colon and rectal cancer) when infectious complications were observed, the variables total hospital stay and costs doubled, with significant differences. These variables showed higher values in the group NOT IN compared with those who received immunonutrition, although these differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: NOT IN patients suffered infectious complications more frequently than YES IN, with significant results in the subgroup of patients with rectal cancer. The total hospital stay and costs were slightly higher in the group not supplemented, doubling in each category significantly (YES IN, NOT IN, colon and rectal cancer), when infectious complications were observed.

Current state of the art of medical foods.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is one of the five most prevalent gastrointestinal disease burdens in the US, with an overall health care cost of more than USD 1.7 billion. It commonly requires a lifetime of care, and accounts for more than 700,000 physician visits, 100,000 hospitalizations, and disability in 119,000 patients each year. IBD is a multifactorial disease and comprises genetic susceptibility, uncontrolled immune responses, and environmental factors which play a role in the pathogenesis and course of the disease. IBD patients are lifelong on medication, either for induction or maintenance therapy. Current treatment option (corticosteroids, immune suppressants, biologics), administered in mono- or combination therapy, are still unsatisfactory. Due to the nature of disease, 20-40% of patients relapse within the first 12 months. Although modern treatment algorithms have diminished the risk of surgery, the treatments harbor significant side effects, which impacts patients' quality of life. The role of nutrition in IBD has gathered high interest, especially in pediatric Crohn's disease, where studies have shown that exclusive enteral nutrition can induce remission in mild-to-moderate disease comparable to corticosteroids. Thus, gastroenterologists and patients become increasingly aware that specific nutritional interventions offered in addition to the standard of care are an appealing option for a safe long-term disease management. Such specific nutritional solutions should be based on scientific/clinical evidence and specifically designed to address the patients' distinct nutritional requirements. As per definition, these nutrition products fall under the regulatory framework of a Medical Food (Foods for Special Medical Purposes in Europe).

Long-term medical complications after malabsorptive procedures: effects of a late clinical nutritional intervention.

OBJECTIVE: The growing prevalence of severe obesity, combined with the failure of conservative treatments, has led to a significant spread of bariatric surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to emphasize the need of adequate presurgery patient selection and close follow-up after malabsorptive procedures for bariatric surgery. METHODS: The study retrospectively evaluated 25 (20 F, 5 M; mean age 43 ± 13 y) obese patients (mean weight before intervention 134 ± 30.7 kg, body mass index 50.7 ± 10.1 kg/m(2)) attending our outpatient clinical nutrition unit for severe malabsorption and secondary malnutrition after surgical intervention that had been performed outside the regional area. RESULTS: All patients received personalized dietetic indications; in 12 of 25 (48%) cases integrated by oral protein supplements and in 5 of 25 (20%) by medium chain triglycerides. According to screening exams, patients were prescribed oral/parenteral iron, vitamins A, B group, D, and folate supplementation. In 14 of 25 (56%) patients, parenteral hydration and in 4 of 25 (16%), long-term parenteral nutrition was required. Five patients required hospitalization for severely complicated protein-energy malnutrition. CONCLUSION: Nutritional deficiencies are common after malabsorptive procedures for bariatric surgery; these can be present or latent before surgery, frequently going unrecognized and/or inadequately treated particularly when patients are not strictly followed up by the operating center. Despite the adequate-even intensive-intervention, clinical nutritional status moderately improved in all patients.

Nutritional assessment and treatment of patients with liver cirrhosis.

Prevalence of chronic liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis, is increasing worldwide. The nutritional state assessment in these patients is complicated, and besides anthropometry is based on several other tools in order to be more accurate. Specific dietary recommendations are needed in patients with chronic liver diseases in order to help prevent and treat liver decompensation because malnutrition is an independent predictor of mortality. This review focuses on essential aspects in the nutritional assessment of cirrhotic patients and some general recommendations for their treatment.

Evaluación nutricional de los pacientes con cirrosis hepática compensada atendidos en el Centro Hospitalario Regional de Mouila, Gabón, 2009-2010 / Nutritional assessment in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis treated at the Mouila Regional Hospital, Gabon, 2009-2010

Introducción: algunos investigadores consideran que la malnutrición proteico energética es la complicación más frecuente en el paciente cirrótico y que constituye un elemento predictor independiente de supervivencia. Objetivos: determinar el estado nutricional y su relación con la causa, el tiempo de evolución y la ingesta calórica en pacientes con cirrosis hepática compensada. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo de todos los pacientes gaboneses de ambos sexos, entre 15 y 60 años, con este diagnóstico. Se halló predominio de las mujeres y del grupo entre 45 y 54 años, con una edad media de 45 años (± 7,6). Prevalecieron la causa mixta y el grupo A de la clasificación de Child-Pugh-Turcotte. Todos tenían menos de 1 año desde el diagnóstico de la enfermedad y según el índice de masa corporal, la malnutrición proteico-energética se observó en 75 por ciento de los casos, predominó la delgadez moderada. La circunferencia del brazo se afectó con menor frecuencia e intensidad que el índice de masa corporal. En la medida que disminuyó el número de comidas al día aumentó el porcentaje de pacientes con malnutrición proteico-energética. Conclusiones: la frecuencia de malnutrición de la población cirrótica compensada fue elevada, con mayor índice de malnutrición en los casos de causa mixta, además, se comprobó que el estado nutricional del paciente cirrótico no puede ser valorado al margen de factores dietéticos

Introduction: some researchers believe that protein energy malnutrition is the most common complication in cirrhotic patients and it is an independent predictor of survival element. Objectives: to determine the nutritional status and its relationship to the cause, time of evolution and caloric intake in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis. Methods: a descriptive study of all Gabonese patients of both sexes, between the ages 15 and 60 years, with this diagnosis. Women and the group between 45 and 54 years was found predominant (mean age 45 years (± 7.6)). Additionally, mixed cause and group A in Child-Pugh-Turcotte widely existed. All patients had diagnosis of this disease for less than a year and according to their body mass index, protein-energy malnutrition was observed in 75 percent of cases; moderate thinness predominated. The arm circumference was less frequently and intensively affected than the body mass index. To the extent that the number of meals reduced per day, the percentage of patients with protein-energy malnutrition increased. Conclusions: the frequency of malnutrition of compensated cirrhotic population was high, with the highest rate of malnutrition in cases of mixed causes; it also was proved that the nutritional status of cirrhotic patient cannot be valued regardless of dietary factors

Let them eat during dialysis: an overlooked opportunity to improve outcomes in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

In individuals with chronic kidney disease, surrogates of protein-energy wasting, including a relatively low serum albumin and fat or muscle wasting, are by far the strongest death risk factor compared with any other condition. There are data to indicate that hypoalbuminemia responds to nutritional interventions, which may save lives in the long run. Monitored, in-center provision of high-protein meals and/or oral nutritional supplements during hemodialysis is a feasible, inexpensive, and patient-friendly strategy despite concerns such as postprandial hypotension, aspiration risk, infection control and hygiene, dialysis staff burden, diabetes and phosphorus control, and financial constraints. Adjunct pharmacologic therapies can be added, including appetite stimulators (megesterol, ghrelin, and mirtazapine), anabolic hormones (testosterone and growth factors), antimyostatin agents, and antioxidative and anti-inflammatory agents (pentoxiphylline and cytokine modulators), to increase efficiency of intradialytic food and oral supplementation, although adequate evidence is still lacking. If more severe hypoalbuminemia (<3.0 g/dL) not amenable to oral interventions prevails, or if a patient is not capable of enteral interventions (e.g., because of swallowing problems), then parenteral interventions such as intradialytic parenteral nutrition can be considered. Given the fact that meals and supplements during hemodialysis would require only a small fraction of the funds currently used for dialysis patients this is also an economically feasible strategy.

Association between oral nutritional supplementation and clinical outcomes among patients with ESRD.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) was provided to ESRD patients with hypoalbuminemia as part of Fresenius Medical Care Health Plan's (FMCHP) disease management. This study evaluated the association between FMCHP's ONS program and clinical outcomes. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Analyses included FMCHP patients with ONS indication (n=470) defined as 2-month mean albumin <3.8 g/dl until reaching a 3-month mean ≥3.8 g/dl from February 1, 2006 to December 31, 2008. Patients did not receive ONS if deemed inappropriate or refused. Patients on ONS were compared with patients who were not, despite meeting ONS indication. Patients with ONS indication regardless of use were compared with Medicare patients with similar serum albumin levels from the 2007 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Clinical Performance Measures Project (CPM). Cox models calculated adjusted hospitalization and mortality risks at 1 year. RESULTS: Among patients with indication for ONS, 276 received supplements and 194 did not. ONS use was associated with 0.058 g/dl higher serum albumin overall (P=0.02); this difference decreased by 0.001 g/dl each month (P=0.05) such that the difference was 0.052 g/dl (P=0.04) in month 6 and the difference was no longer significant in month 12 . In analyses based on ONS use, ONS patients had lower hospitalization at 1 year (68.4%; P<0.01) versus patients without ONS (88.7%), but there was no significant reduction in mortality risk (P=0.29). In analyses based on ONS indication, patients with indication had lower mortality at 1 year (16.2%) compared with CPM patients (23.4%; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that ONS use was associated with significantly lower hospitalization rates but had no significant effect on mortality in a disease management setting.

Effect of a low-cost food on the recovery and death rate of malnourished children.

OBJECTIVES: Nutritional rehabilitation in Africa relies mainly on imported skim milk enriched with a sugar and salt mixture. We evaluated whether milk plus porridge made from local ingredients improves the outcome of childhood nutritional rehabilitation versus milk alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in a nutritional unit in Lacor (Northern Uganda). The porridge, made from cheap locally available ingredients (maize flour, dried fish or meat, peanut butter and oil) supplemented with proteins and fats, provides 1.1 energy units, 4.4 kJ/g. We randomly sampled the files of 100 cases discharged in October, November and December 2001 (preintervention), in 2002 (soon after intervention onset) and in 2003 (more than 1 year after intervention onset). We recorded the average hospital days and average oedema-free weight gain at discharge in the 3 groups. RESULTS: Average oedema-free weight gain increased from 21 g/d (95% confidence interval [CI], 12-29) in 2001 to 35 g/d (95% CI, 25-45) in 2002 and reached 59 g/d (95% CI, 51-65) in 2003. Mortality decreased from 22% to 7.8%, and nutritional failures (insufficient weight gain) decreased by greater than 50%. CONCLUSIONS: The low-cost porridge supplement (2640 euros/yr per 100 children) was effective in treating malnutrition. Widespread use of the porridge, which resulted in better outcomes than milk alone, could produce a savings in the medium- to long-term, thereby releasing resources for other uses. A high-energy porridge that is made from locally available ingredients and does not require imported foods seems to be appropriate for supplementary feeding after mother's milk in this setting.

Implementing clinical guidelines for nutrition in a neurosurgical intensive care unit.

Patients in neurosurgical intensive care have individual needs concerning nutrition because of their conditions. An important therapeutic goal is to prevent the development of malnutrition as it contributes to an increase in mortality and enhances the risk of complications in these patients. The health-care team has a mutual responsibility for this, although it is a complex task and a correct assessment of patients' nutritional needs is vital. Multidisciplinary clinical guidelines focused on nutrition might help the health-care staff in decision-making and allowing individualized treatment for patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the implementation and use of such a guideline. The results show that the guideline is used in varying degrees by the health-care team. Areas that focused on more practical aspects of nutritional support seemed to have a unified approach, whereas areas on nutritional assessment and routine nutrition orders demonstrated both a lack of knowledge and unclear role responsibilities. The results reveal how different professional groups in health care perceive the implementation of a clinical guideline. Some areas need further clarification, there needs to be continuing development of nutritional guidelines, and education of staff is needed in order to enhance the nutritional care of patients.

Increased food intake after the addition of amylase-rich flour to supplementary food for malnourished children in rural communities of Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: In Bangladesh, as in other developing countries, protein-energy malnutrition is mostprevalent among children during weaning. After weaning, children are often fed cereal-based diluted low-calorie porridge, resulting in growth-faltering. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect on food intake of adding amylase-rich flour (ARF) from germinated wheat to supplementary food among children in nine rural Community Nutrition Centers under the Bangladesh Integrated Nutrition Project (BINP). METHODS: A total of 166 malnourished children of either sex, aged 6 to 24 months, received one of three diets randomly allocated to the Community Nutrition Centers. The composition of the diets was the same; however, the consistency and calorie density were altered by adding either ARF or water. Thirty-five children received the standard supplementary food of the BINP (S-SF), 65 received supplementaryfood with added ARF (ARF-SF), and 66 received supplementary food with added water (W-SF). The children were studied for six weeks. Results. The mean +/- SD intake of supplementaryfood from a single meal by children completing six weeks on the diets was higher for children receiving ARF-SF (33.91 +/- 8.25 g) than for those receiving S-SF (25.66 +/- 6.73 g) or W-SF (30.26 +/- 8.39g) (p < .05 for both comparisons). The weight of vomited food was significantly higher for children receiving W-SF than for children in the other two groups. Weight gain and increments in length and weight-for-height were higher for children who received ARF-SF than for children in the other two groups, but the differences were not statistically significant. The acceptability ofARF-SF was higher than that of the two other diets. The additional cost of adding 2 g of ARF to the diet was about Taka 0.25 (U.S. dollar 1 = Taka 48). CONCLUSIONS: Addition of ARF to existing standard supplementary food, as used under the BINP program, is a simple and effective means to increase the intake of food by changing its consistency, thus making it easier for malnourished children to ingest.

Home-made oral supplement as nutritional support of old nursing home residents, who are undernourished or at risk of undernutrition based on the MNA. A pilot trial. Mini Nutritional Assessment.

AIMS: The aim of this pilot study was to examine the effect of a home-made oral supplement on body weight and energy intake of old people residing in a nursing home. METHODS: Sixty-six old (65+ years) nursing home residents were included and divided into three classes according to their Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) scores. Participants who scored 17-23.5 MNA points (at risk of undernutrition) and had a BMI <24 kg/m2 were randomly allocated (block randomization) to two groups: B and C. Participants with <17 MNA-points (undernourished) were allocated to group A. The participants allocated to groups A and B received a home-made oral supplement every evening for two consecutive months. RESULTS: The results after two months showed that compliance with the supplement was good and daily intake from the supplement averaged 1.6 MJ. The total energy intake in group A significantly increased (p<0.001), without suppressing the intake of energy from normal food. Group B experienced a decrease in the intake of normal food and hence no overall change in food intake. Body weight was unchanged in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our limited data suggest that a home-made oral supplement can improve the total energy intake of nursing home residents who are undernourished according to the MNA.

Medicare medical nutrition therapy: legislative process and product.

The new Medicare benefit, medical nutrition therapy (MNT), came into effect January 2002-the product of a lengthy legislative process. Over several years, evidence-based advocacy by groups such as the American Diabetic Association and the National Kidney Foundation led to a legislative product that was introduced and passed by Congress. More recently, the legislation entered an implementation process, including the most recent Coverage Determination phase. The definition of MNT and the scientific evidence supporting it are presented. Evidence-based nutrition now enters a new phase of implementation and additional analysis.

Assessment of nutritional status using biochemical and anthropometric variables in a nutritional intervention study of women with hip fracture.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The aim of this study of women with hip fracture was to describe nutritional status with biochemical markers and anthropometric variables, and to evaluate the effect of nutritional intervention with the intention of increasing protein and energy intake. METHODS: The first consecutive 44 women were included, and used as controls. The next 44 were matched for age, fracture and mental state. Anthropometric variables, IGF-I, hormones and serum albumin were collected 4--6 days (baseline), 1 and 3 months after surgery. Twenty-four women filled out a 7-day food record. RESULTS: At baseline, one fourth had BMI <20 kg/m(2)and subnormal triceps skinfold thickness. Baseline serum albumin, IGF-I and growth hormone levels were low, probably as an acute response to trauma. Women with BMI <20 kg/m(2)had lower IGF-I levels compared to those with higher BMI. At 3 months, one-third of both groups were protein and energy malnourished. The intervention group obtained higher daily energy percentage from fat but none of the groups reached their calculated energy need. CONCLUSIONS: Using biochemical markers in the acute postoperative situation to assess nutritional status is not recommended. The intervention had no impact on anthropometric or biochemical variables.

[Optimization of nutritional intake in malnourished patients on periodic hemodialysis therapy--pharmacoeconomic aspects]. / Optimizirane na kharnitelniia vnos pri bolni s malnutritsiia na periodichno khemodializno lechenie--farmakoikonomicheski aspekti.

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is an often exhibited complication in patients on periodical hemodialysis treatment (PHDT). Oral intake of nutritional supplements broadens the possibilities to treat PEM. A group of 24 patients with signs of malnutrition on hemodialysis, was investigated. In order the protein intake to be increased to the prescribed norm of 1.2 g/kg B.W./day, the nutritional supplement "Nutridial" was added to the usual daily ration of the patients. With a prize of 12 BGL per kilogram "Nutridial" the average cost of the treatment per patient/month is approximately 10,20 BGL (10,16), which is significantly cheaper compared to same treatment with foreign analogues.

Suporte nutricional no paciente idoso: definiçäo, diagnóstico, avaliaçäo e intervençäo / Nutritional support in geriatrics patients: definition, diagnosis, assessment and therapeutic

Atualmente, vem ocorrendo um aumento importante no número de pacientes idosos submetidos a internaçäo hospitalar, mantidos em casas de repouso ou atendidos em regime ambulatorial, cujo estado nutricional pode ser considerado crítico. Assim, é fundamental que as alteraçöes próprias do envelhecimento sejam o mais precocemente possível diferenciadas dos sinais clínicos de desnutriçäo. Um alto grau de suspeita clínica de pacientes idosos desnutridos, e que, conseqüentemente necessitam de terapêutica nutricional, pode ser obtido por meio da história clínica, exame físico e dados laboratoriais apropriados. A má nutriçäo que ocorre no idoso pode ser devida às alteraçöes fisiológicas do envelhecimento, às condiçöes sócio-econômicas, às doenças e à interaçäo entre nutrientes e medicamentos. Assim sendo, as principais causas de má nutriçäo, podem ser catalogadas, como secundárias ao envelhecimento, menor rendimento econômico, isolamento, a morte de entes queridos, doenças e outros fatores relacionados. Como resultado, o idoso apresenta sério comprometimento do estado geral e uma maior morbidade e mortalidade em geral. A intervençäo nutricional utiliza nutrientes, como fármacos, visando o tratamento de doenças. Por fim, as recomendaçöes tem por objetivo indicar a quantidade mínima de nutrientes que seria adequada para a maioria das pessoas em seu ambiente usual, sem traumas ou doenças. No entanto, as recomendaçöes para o idoso säo transpostas das recomendaçöes obtidas para crianças e adultos jovens, nem sempre próprias para o idoso.

[Malnutrition in hemodialysis patients. Self-assessment, medical evaluation and "verifiable" parameters]. / Malnutrition bei Hämodialysepatienten. Selbsteinschätzung, ärztliche Beurteilung und "objektivierbare" Parameter.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition in hemodialysis patient is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Inventions to treat malnutrition are often ineffective. Underestimation by the patients of the importance of dietary interventions might negatively influence any therapeutic outcome. We examined the correlation between nutritional assessment by the patient himself and clinical assessment by the physician. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Subjective global assessment (SGA) was performed in 68 chronic hemodialysis patients Serum concentrations of albumin, prealbumin, transferrin and cholesterin were measured Protein intake was estimated by protein catabolic rate (nPCR). In form of a questionnaire patients were asked to assess then own nutrition. RESULTS: According to SGA-criteria, moderate to severe malnutrition was found in 34% of our patients. In this unauthorized group serum albumin was < 4.0 g/dl in 45% of patients and correlated best with clinical nutritional assessment. Specificity was lower for prealbumin, transferrin, cholesterin, and nPCR. The questionnaire was completed by 85% of patients. Self-assessment of their own nutrition was discrepant to clinical assessment in 84% of malnourished patients. A similar percentage (79%) of malnourished patients considered their own body weight to be adequate, while only 21% indicated desire to gain weight. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that a significant percentage of malnourished hemodialysis patients shows a tendency to overestimate their own nutrition. This may negatively influence patient compliance and should be considered in dietary counseling of malnourished chronic hemodialysis patients.

Effect of tempe-yellow maize porridge and milk-yellow maize porridge on growth rate, diarrhoea and duration of rehabilitation of malnourished children.

The diet for 117 protein-energy-malnourished children admitted into the Mbooni Family Life Training Centre between November 1992 and March 1993, was supplemented with either tempe-yellow maize porridge (TYMP) or milk-yellow maize porridge (MYMP). Fifty-six malnourished children had their diet supplemented with TYMP. Another group of 61 children had theirs supplemented with MYMP. The growth rate (weight gain), duration of diarrhoeal episodes and rehabilitation period for each child was recorded and a comparison made between the two dietary groups. The TYMP group achieved a significantly (p < 0.05) higher growth rate (5.2 gm/kg body weight/day) compared to the MYMP whose growth rate was 2.2 gm/kg body weight/day. The mean daily protein and caloric consumption (per kg body weight) by the children in both groups (at 3.4 gm of proteins and 83 calories for the MYMP group and 3.9 gm of protein and 101 calories for the TYMP group) were not significantly different. The duration of diarrhoeal episodes for the MYMP group was significantly (P < 0.05) longer (4.6 diarrhoea days) than that of the TYMP group whose diarrhoeal episodes lasted 0.7 diarrhoea days. The rehabilitation period for the TYMP group (15 days) was significantly (p > 0.05) lower than that for the MYMP group which was 20 days. Furthermore, the cost of supplementing the diet for each child with the tempe-yellow maize porridge (KSh. 1625) was approximately 25% lower than that of supplementing it with milk-yellow maize porridge which was KSh. 2060. These results suggest that it may be more beneficial in terms of duration of both diarrhoeal episodes and rehabilitation period and overall institutional cost if malnourished children's diets are supplemented with tempe-yellow maize porridge.

Controlled trial of three approaches to the treatment of severe malnutrition.

Domiciliary treatment of severely malnourished children could have economic and practical advantages over other methods. We compared three approaches in a controlled trial. 437 children in Dhaka (< 60% weight-for-height, and/or oedema) aged 12-60 months were sequentially allocated to treatment as inpatients, to day-care, or to care at home after one week of day-care. Institutional and parental costs incurred to reach 80% weight-for-height were compared. Costs for inpatient, day-care, and at-home groups averaged 6363, 2517, and 1552 taka (60 taka = UK pound 1). Mortality was low (< 5%) in all three groups. Day-care treatment approached inpatient care for speed of recovery at less than half the cost, but it was unpopular with parents. The at-home group took significantly longer to attain 80% weight-for-height than the other groups, but did so at the lowest average cost. Parental costs were highest for the at-home group as no food supplements were provided; nevertheless this was the most popular option. We conclude that at-home management of severely malnourished children after 1 week of inpatient care is a cost-effective strategy.

Avaliaçäo nutricional de pacientes tuberculosos em tratamento ambulatorial / Nutritional assessment of outpatients in the treatment of tuberculosis

Com o objetivo de avaliar o estado nutricional de pacientes matriculados no CSE-EPM em 1989 para tratamento de tuberculose, foram estudados 43 pacientes com idade entre 19 e 75 anos. Os parâmetros antropométricos utilizados foram peso e estatura e para a avaliaçäo nutricional empregou-se o índice de massa corpórea (IMC). Os resultados mostraram que 15 pacientes eram desnutridos, quatro eram obesos e 24 eram eutróficos, na primeira consulta. Foram acompanhados 12 pacientes com tuberculose pulmonar até o final do sexto mês de tratamento. Verificou-se que 85// do ganho de peso total desses pacientes ocorreu entre o terceiro e o quarto mês de tratamento. Concluindo, a amostra estudada apresentou uma freqüência elevada de desnutriçäo entre os pacientes com tuberculose pulmonar. Esta situaçäo tendeu a melhorar ao longo do tratamento. A maioria dos pacientes apresentou um ganho de peso significante, sendo que o maior incremento ponderal ocorreu nos primeiros meses de tratamento