Phase angle and cellular health: inflammation and oxidative damage.

Phase angle is a composite measure that combines two raw bioelectrical impedance analysis measures: resistance and reactance. Phase angle has been considered an indicator of cellular health, integrity, and hydration. As inflammation and oxidative stress can damage cellular structures, phase angle has potential utility in early detecting inflammatory and oxidative status. Herein, we aimed to critically review the current understanding on the determinants of phase angle and its relationship with markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. We also discussed the potential role of phase angle in detecting chronic inflammation and related adverse outcomes. Several factors have been identified as predictors of phase angle, including age, sex, extracellular to intracellular water ratio, and fat-free mass. In addition to these factors, body mass index (BMI) also seems to influence phase angle. Available data also show that lower phase angle values are correlated (negligible to high correlation coefficients) with higher c-reactive protein, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10 in studies involving the general and aging populations, as well as patients with chronic conditions. Although fewer studies have evaluated the relationship between phase angle and markers of oxidative stress, available data also suggest that phase angle has potential to be used as an indicator (for screening) of oxidative damage. Future studies including diverse populations and bioelectrical impedance devices are required to confirm the validity and accuracy of phase angle as a marker of inflammation and oxidative stress for clinical use.

Development of a nutritional risk screening tool for cancer patients undergoing outpatient treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Malnutrition is a common reality in many hospitals, especially in cancer patients. In order to avoid its late diagnosis, there are screening instruments that help professionals detect nutritional risk early, thus avoiding further damage to the nutritional status. OBJECTIVE: To develop a nutritional screening tool for cancer patients undergoing outpatient treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional, observational study was carried out in cancer patients assisted at an outpatient clinic for nutritional care. Data were collected from nutritional care records, including bioelectrical and body composition data (by electrical bioimpedance spectroscopy), anthropometry (adductor pollicis muscle thickness, circumferences, and body mass index), routine clinical biochemical tests, and dynamometry. Malnourished patients were identified through screening using the NRS-2002 method, and all participants were classified according to the GLIM criterion as the control group (no risk and no malnutrition) and the malnourished group. The logistic regression method was used to select the variables that were more sensitive to nutritional risk, thus composing the final screening instrument. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 72 patients, 58% male, with a mean age of 63 years (±13.3). The malnourished group had a higher frequency of sarcopenia, worse Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), and lower values for weight, adductor pollicis muscle thickness (APMT), body mass index (BMI), calf circumference (CC), dynamometry (HAND), and fat mass index (FMI) than the control group. After multivariate analyses and analysis of covariance, the final model was devised in the form of an equation containing two variables, which were more associated with malnutrition, the BMI and the KPS. CONCLUSION: The screening instrument developed in this study resulted in an equation for screening nutritional risk, which included the variables KPS and BMI with 84% assertiveness.

Brazilian Nutritional Consensus in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Adults.

The nutritional status of patients submitted to hematopoietic stem cell transplant is considered an independent risk factor, which may influence on quality of life and tolerance to the proposed treatment. The impairment of nutritional status during hematopoietic stem cell transplant occurs mainly due to the adverse effects resulting from conditioning to which the patient is subjected. Therefore, adequate nutritional evaluation and follow-up during hematopoietic stem cell transplant are essential. To emphasize the importance of nutritional status and body composition during treatment, as well as the main characteristics related to the nutritional assessment of the patient, the Brazilian Consensus on Nutrition in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant: Adults was prepared, aiming to standardize and update Nutritional Therapy in this area. Dietitians, nutrition physicians and hematologists from 15 Brazilian centers thar are references in hematopoietic stem cell transplant took part.

Phase angle as a severity indicator for liver diseases.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of phase angle (PhA) as a severity indicator of chronic liver diseases. METHODS: We examined the medical records of 54 patients-27 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 27 with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The patients were ≥18 y of age. Clinical data, such as Child-Pugh and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (HCC), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis (FIB)-4 (NAFLD), nutritional parameters (body mass index [BMI], handgrip strength [HGS], and bioelectrical impedance [BIA] data) were collected. Nutritional Risk Index (NRI) was calculated. Analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney test and analysis of variance. Simple multiple linear regression for predictions (Child-Pugh in HCC, APRI and FIB-4 in NAFLD). Receiver operating characteristic curve was estimated to search a cutoff for PhA. For survival, we used the Kaplan-Meier estimator. To verify whether PhA affected patients' survival, we used the Mantel-Haenszel. RESULTS: The prevalence of cirrhosis was high in HCC (n = 25) and low in the NAFLD (n = 4). No patient was classified as undernourished based on BMI; however, NRI showed that 74.1% of patients with HCC had nutritional risk. Child-Pugh was positively correlated with the edema index (extracellular water/total body water [ECW/TBW]) and negatively correlated with PhA and HGS. Higher Child-Pugh and BCLC scores were associated with worse NRI. APRI and FIB-4 were positively correlated with weight and BMI. A significant difference between groups was found for the median values of R, ECW/TBW, PhA, HGS, and albumin. There was a trend toward lower survival in patients with HCC, according to the cutoff point of 5.1 degrees for PhA. CONCLUSION: PhA was shown to be an independent prognostic indicator for cirrhosis and may be related to survival in these patients.

Recognition of taste in patients during antineoplastic therapy with platinum drugs.

Taste changes caused by the use of platinum drugs have been described. However, few studies qualify the impaired tastes and whether these changes are derived exclusively from chemotherapy (QTx). AIMS: Evaluation of changes in sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami tastes in patients receiving QTx with platinum drugs was the aim of this study. METHODS: A total of 43 subjects, 21 from the study group and 22 from the control, were studied in two time periods, one before the start of QTx (T0) and another after two cycles of QTx (T1). The usual dietary intake, body mass index (BMI), handgrip strength and fatigue (through the fatigue pictogram) were evaluated to characterize the group studied. Taste Strips tests were performed for all 4 tastes and umami was studied by comparing Likert's scale using monosodium glutamate (GMS) food. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures (ANOVA), mixed model, with significance level p≤0.05. RESULTS: Salty and sour were the most affected tastes in the study group (p = 0.001 and 0.05); as well as the ionotropic receptors (p = 0.02) responsible for identifying these tastes. There was a difference between the times for BMI, dynamometry and impact in daily activities, by the fatigue pictogram (p = 0.008, 0.009 and 0.006 respectively). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest an important role in altering taste recognition, mainly in salty and sour tastes, identified by ionotropic receptors, which seems to be related to dietary changes. QTx has demonstrated a contribution to impairment of functionality and fatigue.

[Anthropometric evolution and gastrointestinal complaints in oral nutritional supplementation and enteral nutritional therapy]. / Evolução antropométrica e sintomas gastrointestinais em pacientes que receberam suplementos nutricionais ou nutrição enteral.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the evolution of anthropometric variables and the occurrence of adverse effects related to the ingestion of nutritional food supplements and enteral diet administration in hospitalized patients. METHODS: The study was performed in the Clinical Medicine wards of the Hospital of the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, USP, with 10 patients receiving nutrition supplements, and 20 patients under enteral nutrition therapy, paired by gender, age (50 +/- 21 vs 49 +/- 23 years) and basic afflictions. All were volunteers submitted to anthropometric evaluation at the beginning and end of nutritional therapy, utilizing standard techniques. A semi-structured questionnaire was applied daily referring to gastrointestinal complaints. Statistical differences between onset and final results (t-test for dependent samples) and between-group differences (t-test for independent samples) were estimated. RESULTS: Arm muscle circumference increased in patients receiving enteral nutrition therapy (80 +/- 15 vs 85 +/- 15% adequacy, p = 0.009) and decreased in those receiving nutritional supplements (96 +/- 14 vs 92 +/- 14% adequacy, p = 0.04). Nausea and vomiting were more frequent in the latter (60 vs 10%, p = 0.01); complaints about taste of the products were reported by 30% of the cases. CONCLUSION: Patients who received oral nutrition supplements reported gastrointestinal complaints and had a less favorable anthropometric evolution. Study data did not disclose the benefit of routine nutrition supplements for hospitalized patients.

Evolução antropométrica e sintomas gastrointestinais em pacientes que receberam suplementos nutricionais ou nutrição enteral / Anthropometric evolution and gastrointestinal complaints in oral nutritional supplementation and enteral nutritional therapy

OBJETIVO: Em pacientes hospitalizados, comparar a evolução de variáveis antropométricas e a ocorrência de efeitos adversos relacionados ao consumo de suplementos nutricionais e infusão de nutrição enteral. MÉTODOS: 10 pacientes que recebiam suplementos nutricionais (Grupo SN) e 20 em nutrição enteral (Grupo NE), pareados para o gênero, idade (50 ± 21 vs 49 ± 23 anos) e afecções de base foram submetidos à avaliação antropométrica ao início e término da terapêutica. Diariamente, foi aplicado um questionário semi-estruturado referente às queixas gastrointestinais. Determinaram-se as diferenças estatísticas obtidas entre o início e o final da terapêutica (teste t para amostras dependentes) e entre os grupos de estudo (teste t para amostras independentes). RESULTADOS: A circunferência muscular do braço aumentou nos pacientes do Grupo NE (80 ± 15 vs 85 ± 15 por cento de adequação, p = 0,009) e diminuiu no Grupo SN (96 ± 14 vs 92 ± 14 por cento de adequação, p = 0,04). Náuseas e vômitos foram mais frequentes no Grupo SN (60 vs 10 por cento, p = 0,01) e as queixas relacionadas ao sabor dos produtos ocorreram em 30 por cento dos casos. CONCLUSÃO: Os pacientes que receberam suplementos nutricionais apresentaram maior ocorrência de queixas gastrointestinais e evolução desfavorável dos parâmetros antropométricos. Os dados obtidos no estudo não evidenciam o benefício da suplementação nutricional de rotina em pacientes hospitalizados.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the evolution of anthropometric variables and the occurrence of adverse effects related to the ingestion of nutritional food supplements and enteral diet administration in hospitalized patients. METHODS: The study was performed in the Clinical Medicine wards of the Hospital of the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, USP, with 10 patients receiving nutrition supplements, and 20 patients under enteral nutrition therapy, paired by gender, age (50 ± 21 vs 49 ± 23 years) and basic afflictions. All were volunteers submitted to anthropometric evaluation at the beginning and end of nutritional therapy, utilizing standard techniques. A semi-structured questionnaire was applied daily referring to gastrointestinal complaints. Statistical differences between onset and final results (t-test for dependent samples) and between-group differences (t-test for independent samples) were estimated. RESULTS: Arm muscle circumference increased in patients receiving enteral nutrition therapy (80 ± 15 vs 85 ± 15 percent adequacy, p = 0.009) and decreased in those receiving nutritional supplements (96 ± 14 vs 92 ± 14 percent adequacy, p = 0.04). Nausea and vomiting were more frequent in the latter (60 vs 10 percent, p = 0.01); complaints about taste of the products were reported by 30 percent of the cases. CONCLUSION: Patients who received oral nutrition supplements reported gastrointestinal complaints and had a less favorable anthropometric evolution. Study data did not disclose the benefit of routine nutrition supplements for hospitalized patients.

Avaliação nutricional de portadores de transtornos alimentares: resultados após a alta hospitalar / Evaluación nutricional de portadores de transtornos alimentarios: resultados tras alta hospitalaria / Nutritional evaluation of patients with eating disorders: results after hospital release

Os transtornos alimentares são doenças graves que podem cursar com comorbidades importantes se não tratados com abordagens múltiplas dos pontos de vista clínico, nutricional, psicológico e psiquiátrico. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o estado nutricional e o padrão alimentar de indivíduos que foram tratados e receberam alta do GRATA (Grupo de Assistência em Transtornos Alimentares) do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto – USP. Empregou-se como metodologia revisão de prontuário médico e entrevista com avaliação antropométrica e anamnese alimentar. Os resultados mostram que a eutrofia foi a condição nutricional predominante em 9 dos 10 sujeitos analisados. A ingestão energética e protéica se mostrou mais próxima às recomendações diárias (RDA) em relação ao início do tratamento, e a alimentação desses indivíduos permanece sem comportamento purgativo, o que denota uma satisfatória condição pós-alta.

Eating disorders are severe diseases that can have important co-morbidities if not treated in an interdisciplinary approach, including clinical, nutritional, psychological and psychiatric views. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status and the eating patterns of individuals who have been treated and released by GRATA (Grupo de Assistência em Transtornos Alimentares) of Hospital das Clínicas, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto – USP. Methodology: review of medical records and interview using anthropometry and eating anamnesis. The results showed that normal nutritional status was the predominant condition among 9 of the 10 subjects studied. The energy and protein intake was closer to the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) hen compared to the beginning of the treatment, and these individuals continued to present non purgative eating behavior, which denotes a satisfactory condition after hospital release.

Los trastornos alimentarios son enfermedades graves que pueden estar acompañadas de comorbidez importante si no son tratadas con abordajes múltiples desde el punto de vista clínico, nutricional, psicológico y psiquiátrico. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el estado nutricional y el patrón alimenticio de individuos que fueron tratados y recibieron alta del GRATA (Grupo de Assistência em Trastornos Alimentares) del Hospital de las Clínicas de la Facultad de Medicina de Riberão Preto – USP. Metodología: revisión das historias clínicas y entrevista con antropometría y anamnesia alimentaría. Los resultados muestran que la eutrofia fue la condición nutricional predominante en 9 de los 10 sujetos analizados. La ingestión energética y proteica se mostró más próxima a las recomendaciones diarias (RDA) con relación al comienzo del tratamiento y la alimentación de estos individuos permanece sin comportamiento purgativo, lo que denota una condición satisfactoria después del alta.

Transtornos alimentares - quadro clínico / Eating disorders - clinical picture

A anorexia e bulimia nervosas são distúrbios da conduta alimentar caracterizados por abstenção voluntária de alimentos e pela ingestão compulsiva, seguida de métodos purgativos, respectivamente. Essas duas patologias estão intimamente relacionadas por apresentarem sintomas em comum: uma idéia prevalente envolvendo a preocupação excessiva com o peso, distorção da imagem corporal e um medo patológico de engordar. Geralmente, o perfil dos pacientes portadores de transtornos alimentares é: adolescentes do sexo feminino, raça branca, e alto nível sócio econômico cultural. Porém, o que se tem observado, é que esse grupo é cada vez mais heterogêneo, sendo realizado diagnóstico em adolescentes do sexo masculino, raça negra, pré adolescentes e pacientes com nível sócio econômico cultural baixo. Quanto à etiopatogenia, não há uma única etiologia responsável pela anorexia nervosa. Acredita-se no modelo multifatorial, com contribuição de fatores biológicos, genéticos, psicológicos, socioculturais e familiares. Neste trabalho apresentamos como se inicia o quadro de transtorno alimentar, critérios diagnósticos, diferenças clínicas entre anorexia e bulimia, complicaçães clínicas inerentes, diagnóstico diferencial, comorbidades psiquiátricas associadas e acompanhamento e evolução desses transtornos. Considerando a elevada prevalência dessas síndromes associada à alta morbidade, preconiza-se o melhor conhecimento de suas manifestaçães clínicas, bem como complicaçães associadas para que o diagnóstico possa ser realizado mais precocemente evitando assim que essas pacientes cheguem para o tratamento apenas quando seu estado já esteja grave

Anorexia and bulimia nervosa are eating disorders characterized by voluntaryabstention and compulsive ingestion of food, followed by purgative methods, respectively. Both pathologies are related, once they present symptoms in common: a prevalent idea involvingexcessive preoccupation about weight, a distortion of body image, and a pathological fear of gaining weight. Generally, the profile of patients with eating disorders is: white female adolescents who have a high social, cultural and economic status. However, increasingly, such conditionshave been involving other classes, including male Afro adolescents; pre-teens and patients who have lower social, cultural and economic status. As for the etiopathogeny of anorexia nervosa, there is not only one etiology behind it. A multifactor model is believed to exist, including family, social, cultural, psychological, economic, genetic, and biological factors. In this study we showhow such conditions start, criteria for diagnoses, clinical differences between bulimia and anorexia, underling clinical complications, diagnoses differentials, related psychiatric comorbidities,progress, and follow up of such disorders. Considering the high prevalence and morbidity of suchsyndromes a better understanding of their manifestations and related complications is mandatoryto reach early diagnoses. This way, patients will not seek treatment only when they already exhibit severe conditions

Manejo nutricional nos transtornos alimentares / The nutricional therapy in eating disorders

Os portadores de transtornos alimentares caracterizam-se por apresentarem quadros graves, desafiadores e sempre exigem muita dedicação do profissional de saúde. O objetivo desse relato foi explorar o manejo de portadores de distúrbios da conduta alimentar, salientando as dificuldades em se reabilitar esse paciente para se alimentar de forma equilibrada. Há muito que se progredir nas abordagens de doenças psiquiátricas como essas que envolvem complicaçães nutricionais de ampla complexidade, porém o trabalho interdisciplinar desenvolvido por equipe é a melhor alternativa para se tratar esses doentes e suas famílias, que demandam tantos cuidados da equipe.

Patients with eating disorders present severe and challenging conditions andalways require a lot of nutritional care. The objective of this study aims to explore ways to handle patients with eating disorders, enhancing the difficulties in rehabilitating such patients in order for them to adopt balanced eating habits. The methodology used was a description procedure and approaches when assisting these patients. In conclusion there is still a lot to be done in terms of approaches in cases involving patients with eating disorders, so the only alternative to address such cases is a team work involving several health professionals so as to support these patients and their families