ESPEN practical short micronutrient guideline.

BACKGROUND: Trace elements and vitamins, named together micronutrients (MNs), are essential for human metabolism. The importance of MNs in common pathologies is recognized by recent research, with deficiencies significantly impacting the outcome. OBJECTIVE: This short version of the guideline aims to provide practical recommendations for clinical practice. METHODS: An extensive search of the literature was conducted in the databases Medline, PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and CINAHL for the initial guideline. The search focused on physiological data, historical evidence (for papers published before PubMed release in 1996), and observational and/or randomized trials. For each MN, the main functions, optimal analytical methods, impact of inflammation, potential toxicity, and provision during enteral or parenteral nutrition were addressed. The SOP wording was applied for strength of recommendations. RESULTS: The limited number of interventional trials prevented meta-analysis and led to a low level of evidence for most recommendations. The recommendations underwent a consensus process, which resulted in a percentage of agreement (%): strong consensus required of >90 % of votes. Altogether the guideline proposes 3 general recommendations and specific recommendations for the 26 MNs. Monitoring and management strategies are proposed. CONCLUSION: This short version of the MN guideline should facilitate handling of the MNs in at-risk diseases, whilst offering practical advice on MN provision and monitoring during nutritional support.

ESPEN micronutrient guideline.

BACKGROUND: Trace elements and vitamins, named together micronutrients (MNs), are essential for human metabolism. Recent research has shown the importance of MNs in common pathologies, with significant deficiencies impacting the outcome. OBJECTIVE: This guideline aims to provide information for daily clinical nutrition practice regarding assessment of MN status, monitoring, and prescription. It proposes a consensus terminology, since many words are used imprecisely, resulting in confusion. This is particularly true for the words "deficiency", "repletion", "complement", and "supplement". METHODS: The expert group attempted to apply the 2015 standard operating procedures (SOP) for ESPEN which focuses on disease. However, this approach could not be applied due to the multiple diseases requiring clinical nutrition resulting in one text for each MN, rather than for diseases. An extensive search of the literature was conducted in the databases Medline, PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and CINAHL. The search focused on physiological data, historical evidence (published before PubMed release in 1996), and observational and/or randomized trials. For each MN, the main functions, optimal analytical methods, impact of inflammation, potential toxicity, and provision during enteral or parenteral nutrition were addressed. The SOP wording was applied for strength of recommendations. RESULTS: There was a limited number of interventional trials, preventing meta-analysis and leading to a low level of evidence. The recommendations underwent a consensus process, which resulted in a percentage of agreement (%): strong consensus required of >90% of votes. Altogether the guideline proposes sets of recommendations for 26 MNs, resulting in 170 single recommendations. Critical MNs were identified with deficiencies being present in numerous acute and chronic diseases. Monitoring and management strategies are proposed. CONCLUSION: This guideline should enable addressing suboptimal and deficient status of a bundle of MNs in at-risk diseases. In particular, it offers practical advice on MN provision and monitoring during nutritional support.

From hospital unit to intestinal failure center: Twenty years of history.

AIM: Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is one of the most demanding medical therapies as it is the only option for patients for intestinal failure (IF). No unequivocal policy on how to start and progress with HPN has ever been presented. The IF Center at the Stanley Dudrick's Memorial Hospital in Skawina is one of the biggest centers in Poland, celebrating its twentieth birthday last year. It offered the unique chance to present how to create and grow the IF center, increasing the quality of care. The above became the aim of this study. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all medical records of HPN patients from the University Hospital and Stanley Dudrick's Memorial Hospital in Skawina. Patient profile, clinical course and treatment outcomes were assessed. The evolution of all aspects of HPN is presented. A brief historical perspective has been added to better illustrate the center's growth and transformation. RESULTS: 608 patients (363 female, 245 male, mean age 55.55 year) from all over Poland were treated between December 1999 and December 2019. The most frequent indication for HPN was mechanical obstruction (277, 45.7%), followed by short bowel syndrome (SBS, 208, 34.3%) and intestinal fistula (46, 7.59%). The most common primary disease was cancer (n = 267), followed by mesenteric ischemia (n = 104), and surgical complications (n = 62). 314 patients (51.8%) died. 73 (12.04%) were successfully weaned off PN. The catheter infection rate reached 0.39/1000 catheter days. CONCLUSIONS: the founding of the HPN center and its further development is possible provided that there is team of dedicated people, supported by hospital base. The real growth opportunity is guaranteed by the reimbursement. It is necessary to adapt to the changing circumstances.

Intravenous lipid emulsions and liver function in adult chronic intestinal failure patients: Results after 5 y of home parenteral nutrition.

OBJECTIVES: Intravenous lipid emulsions (ILE) are an essential component of parenteral nutrition (PN); however, pure soybean oil emulsion is considered a risk factor for intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD). Limited data are available on the effect of different ILEs on the liver during long-term PN, and to our knowledge, no study has evaluated outcomes beyond 12 mo. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the influence of mixed ILEs on liver function during long-term PN. METHODS: A randomized, open-label clinical trial was performed at the Intestinal Failure Center in Skawina, Poland. Sixty-seven patients (35 F, 32 M; mean age, 53.2 years) receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN) due to stable chronic intestinal failure (CIF) were randomized to receive one of the following three ILEs: medium/long-chain triacylglycerides (MCT/LCT), olive oil/soybean oil (OO/SO), or a combination of SO/MCT/OO/fish oil (FO) (SMOFlipid). Patients were followed for 5 y. Liver function was assessed clinically and with biochemical parameters (total bilirubin, serum glutamyl oxalate transaminase, serum glutamyl pyruvate transaminase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, and alkaline phosphatase) at baseline and after 24 and 60 mo. RESULTS: The most common etiology for CIF was vascular, followed by Crohn's disease, surgical complications, and radiation enteritis. HPN was effective in improving nutritional status and was associated with low rates of catheter infections and clinical complications. No significant differences were observed between groups in median concentrations serum glutamyl oxalate transaminase, serum glutamyl pyruvate transaminase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, or alkaline phosphatase at 24 or 60 mo. A significant reduction in median bilirubin concentration was observed in the SMOFlipid group at 60 mo compared with baseline (6.8 umol/L; interquartile range, 5.2-8.5 versus 7.7 umol/L; interquartile range, 4.9-12.4; P = 0.0138). CONCLUSIONS: Mixed ILEs are safe and effective for use in patients on long-term HPN. A multicomponent ILE with FO can provide additional benefits in terms of liver function during long-term HPN.

High Dose Intravenous Fish Oil Reduces Inflammation-A Retrospective Tale from Two Centers.

AIM: Patients on parenteral nutrition (PN) are prone to inflammation. This may aggravate an existing proinflammatory state and become a critical factor in the development of liver dysfunction (LD). Intravenous fish oil may attenuate this inflammatory state, but data on its use in adults are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of adding a pure fish oil intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) into short- and long-term PN in patients either at risk of, or with existing, inflammation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 61 patients (32 female, 29 male, mean age 51.5 ± 12.6 years) who received all-in-one PN, including amino acids, glucose, and lipids supplemented with pure fish oil ILE, was performed. Pure fish oil ILE (Omegaven®, Fresenius Kabi, Bad Homburg, Germany) was used along with the standard ILE to reach a fish oil dose of 0.4-0.5 g fish oil/kg/d. Diagnoses were chronic intestinal failure (CIF, n = 20), Crohn's disease (CD, n = 22), and ulcerative colitis (UC, n = 19). The observation period was 12 months for CIF and 21 days for UC and CD. RESULTS: A reduction in inflammation was noticeable in all patients and became statistically significant in CD (hsCRP p < 0.0001, ESR p = 0.0034, procalcitonin p = 0.0014, Il-6 p = 0.001) and UC groups (hsCRP and ESR p < 0.0001, Il-6 p = 0.0001, TNF-α p = 0.0113). In the CIF group, the total bilirubin concentration (p = 0.2157) and aspartate transaminase SGOT (p = 0.1785) did not vary over time. CONCLUSIONS: PN with pure fish oil ILE reduces some inflammatory parameters in IBD and maintains liver function parameters in CIF patients. Fish oil might become a valuable ingredient in both short- and long-term PN in patients at risk of liver dysfunction.

Use of Intravenous Lipid Emulsions With Parenteral Nutrition: Practical Handling Aspects.

A number of topics important to the handling of intravenous lipid emulsions (ILEs) were discussed at the international summit. ILE handling includes the preparation and the administration steps in the typical use of parenteral nutrition (PN). The discussion and consensus statements addressed several issues, including standardization of the PN process, use of commercially available multi-chamber PN or compounded PN bags, the supervision by a pharmacist with expertise, limiting ILE repackaging, and infusion duration.

Evaluation of Y-site compatibility of home total parenteral nutrition and intravenous loop diuretics.

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), the design of the parenteral nutrition (PN) regimen becomes more challenging where only individualized PN is appropriate, coupled with the increased risk of unintended interactions with diuretic therapy. In an effort to ensure safe therapy in the home, we assessed the physical stability of bespoke PN formulations intended for use in CKD in the simultaneous presence of Y-site compatibility of furosemide and torasemide. The patient's daily needs were determined based on both metabolic demands as well as the demand for fluids.Complete admixtures were subjected to physical stability analysis consisting of visual inspection, a validated light microscope method, pH measurement, zeta potential measurement, and characterization of oily globule size distribution. Y-site compatibility of furosemide and torasemide with the formulated admixtures was also performed.The total parenteral admixture was stable over 7 days at +4°C and 24 h at +25°C and compatible via the Y-line together with furosemide and torasemide over 12 h at +25°C.The stability assessment guarantees the safety and efficiency of home PN with loop diuretics therapy in CKD patients. This means that these patients do not need long hospitalization and they can be safely treated at home. Furthermore, this study proved that torasemide is the same safety diuretic as furosemide, which has a great impact on clinical practice.

Intravenous lipid emulsions and liver function in adult chronic intestinal failure patients: results from a randomized clinical trial.

AIM: Intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) can become a risk factor for intestinal failure associated liver disease (IFALD). Many ILEs are commercially available, however, a direct comparison of their impact on liver has, to our knowledge, never been performed. The aim of the study was to analyse that clinical problem during long term parenteral nutrition (PN). METHODS: A randomized, controlled clinical trial was performed at the Intestinal Failure Center in Skawina, Poland. Sixty-seven patients (37 F, 30 M, mean age 53.9 years) enrolled in home parenteral nutrition (HPN) due to stable chronic intestinal failure (CIF) were randomized to receive one the following for 12 months: long-chain triglycerides (LCT), medium/long-chain triglycerides, olive oil/LCT (OO/LCT) and a mix of LCT/MCT/OO/fish oil. Clinical evaluation and biochemical tests (total bilirubin, SGOT, SGTP, GGPT, alkaline phosphatase) were performed at enrolment and after 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: the most common reason for intestinal failure (IF) was short bowel due to mesenteric ischaemia, followed by Crohn's disease, surgical complications and radiation enteritis. PN stabilized liver parameters in all patients. No essential fatty acids deficiency was diagnosed. All four ILEs demonstrated comparable influence on liver in all study periods. The only exception was the decrease in total bilirubin concentration after 12 months (28.1 ± 25.3vs 11.1 ± 4.5, p = 0.0023) and GGTP (222.5 ± 205.8vs 146.6 ± 197.7, p = 0.0079) when OO/LCT was in use. CONCLUSIONS: All four ILEs tested may be safe even during long-term parenteral nutrition. OO/LCT may be more effective than the others, but more studies in the field are needed.

Nutritional Support Teams: the cooperation among physicians and pharmacists helps improve cost-effectiveness of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) / Equipos de asistencia nutricional: la cooperación entre médicos y farmacéuticos ayuda a mejorar la rentabilidad de la nutrición parenteral domiciliaria (NPD)

Introduction: Modern home parenteral nutrition (HPN) requires the preparation of tailored admixtures. The physicians’ demands for their composition are often at the variance with pharmaceutical principles, which causes the necessity of either the preparation of ex tempore admixtures or stability testing ensuring long shelf life. Both approaches are not cost-effective. The aim of the study was to use the cooperation among physicians and pharmacists to assure both: cost-effectiveness and patient-tailored HPN admixtures. Methods: The first part of the study consisted of the thorough analysis of prescriptions for the most demanding 47 HPN patients (27 females and 20 males, mean age 53.1 year) treated at one HPN center to create few as possible long-shelf life admixtures. The second part of the study consisted of stability testing and modifications. Results: The analysis showed over 137 variations needed to cover all macro- and micronutrients requirements. Their cost as ex-tempore solutions was extremely high (over 110 000 EURO/month) due to logistics and similarly high if stability test for variation were to be performed (68 500 EURO). Therefore prescription was prepared de novo within team of physicians and pharmacists and four base models were designed. Water and electrolytes, particularly magnesium and calcium showed to be the major issues. Stability tests failed in one admixture due to high electrolytes concentration. It was corrected, and the new formula passes the test. Five basic models were then used for creation of new bags. Cost of such an activity were 3 700 EURO (p<0.01) Conclusions: The cooperation within the members of nutritional support team could improve the cost-effectiveness and quality of HPN (AU)

Introducción: La nutrición parenteral domiciliaria (NPD) moderna requiere la elaboración de preparados a medida. Las peticiones de los médicos en cuanto a la composición de estos preparados muchas veces difieren de los principios farmacéuticos, lo que suscita la necesidad de elaboración de preparados ex-tempore o unas pruebas de estabilidad que garanticen la almacenamiento a largo plazo. Estas estrategias no resultan rentables. El objetivo del estudio consistió en utilizar la cooperación entre médicos y farmacéuticos para asegurar tanto la rentabilidad, como la elaboración a medida de los preparados NPD. Métodos: La primera parte del estudio consistió en el análisis pormenorizado de las prescripciones para los 47 pacientes con una NPD más exigente (27 mujeres y 20 hombres, edad media 53,1 años) tratados en un centro NPD para crear el menor número posible de preparados de larga duración. La segunda parte del estudio consistió en pruebas de estabilidad y modificaciones. Resultados: El análisis demostró que eran necesarias más de 137 variaciones para cubrir todas las exigencias de macro y micronutrientes. Su costo como soluciones ex-tempore resultó extremadamente elevado (más de 110.000 EUROS/mes) debido a la logística, e igualmente alto en caso de requerirse una prueba de estabilidad (68.500 EUROS). Así, la prescripción fue preparada de novo por el equipo de médicos y farmacéuticos y se diseñaron cuatro modelos básicos. Las dificultades principales fueron el agua y los electrolitos, en particular magnesio y calcio. Las pruebas de estabilidad fracasaron en uno de los preparados debido a la alta concentración de electrolitos. Esto fue corregido, y la nueva fórmula supero la prueba. A partir de ahí se emplearon cinco modelos básicos para la creación de nuevas bolsas. El costo de esta actividad supuso 3.700 EUROS (p<0.01) Conclusiones: La cooperación entre los miembros del equipo de asistencia nutricional puede mejorar la rentabilidad y la calidad de la NPD (AU)

Nutritional support teams: the cooperation among physicians and pharmacists helps improve cost-effectiveness of home parenteral nutrition (HPN).

INTRODUCTION: Modern home parenteral nutrition (HPN) requires the preparation of tailored admixtures. The physicians' demands for their composition are often at the variance with pharmaceutical principles, which causes the necessity of either the preparation of ex tempore admixtures or stability testing ensuring long shelf life. Both approaches are not cost-effective. The aim of the study was to use the cooperation among physicians and pharmacists to assure both: cost-effectiveness and patient-tailored HPN admixtures. METHODS: The first part of the study consisted of the thorough analysis of prescriptions for the most demanding 47 HPN patients (27 females and 20 males, mean age 53.1 year) treated at one HPN center to create few as possible long-shelf life admixtures. The second part of the study consisted of stability testing and modifications. RESULTS: The analysis showed over 137 variations needed to cover all macro- and micronutrients requirements. Their cost as ex-tempore solutions was extremely high (over 110 000 EURO/month) due to logistics and similarly high if stability test for variation were to be performed (68 500 EURO). Therefore prescription was prepared de novo within team of physicians and pharmacists and four base models were designed. Water and electrolytes, particularly magnesium and calcium showed to be the major issues. Stability tests failed in one admixture due to high electrolytes concentration. It was corrected, and the new formula passes the test. Five basic models were then used for creation of new bags. Cost of such an activity were 3 700 EURO (p<0.01) CONCLUSIONS: The cooperation within the members of nutritional support team could improve the cost-effectiveness and quality of HPN.

Introducción: La nutrición parenteral domiciliaria (NPD) moderna requiere la elaboración de preparados a medida. Las peticiones de los médicos en cuanto a la composición de estos preparados muchas veces difieren de los principios farmacéuticos, lo que suscita la necesidad de elaboración de preparados ex-tempore o unas pruebas de estabilidad que garanticen la almacenamiento a largo plazo. Estas estrategias no resultan rentables. El objetivo del estudio consistió en utilizar la cooperación entre médicos y farmacéuticos para asegurar tanto la rentabilidad, como la elaboración a medida de los preparados NPD. Métodos: La primera parte del estudio consistió en el análisis pormenorizado de las prescripciones para los 47 pacientes con una NPD más exigente (27 mujeres y 20 hombres, edad media 53,1 años) tratados en un centro NPD para crear el menor número posible de preparados de larga duración. La segunda parte del estudio consistió en pruebas de estabilidad y modificaciones. Resultados: El análisis demostró que eran necesarias más de 137 variaciones para cubrir todas las exigencias de macro y micronutrientes. Su costo como soluciones ex-tempore resultó extremadamente elevado (más de 110.000 EUROS/mes) debido a la logística, e igualmente alto en caso de requerirse una prueba de estabilidad (68.500 EUROS). Así, la prescripción fue preparada de novo por el equipo de médicos y farmacéuticos y se diseñaron cuatro modelos básicos. Las dificultades principales fueron el agua y los electrolitos, en particular magnesio y calcio. Las pruebas de estabilidad fracasaron en uno de los preparados debido a la alta concentración de electrolitos. Esto fue corregido, y la nueva fórmula supero la prueba. A partir de ahí se emplearon cinco modelos básicos para la creación de nuevas bolsas. El costo de esta actividad supuso 3.700 EUROS (p.

High frequency ultrasound diagnostics of right lower quadrant abdominal pain in children.

In our study we tried to assess the usefulness of high frequency ultrasound examinations in the diagnostics of right lower quadrant abdominal pain, focusing on the differential diagnosis of appendicitis. Ultrasound examinations were performed on 152 patients aged 1 to 19 with abdominal pain. All the children underwent standard abdominal ultrasound examination with B mode of abdominal parenchymal organs as well as the evaluation of the intestines with the linear transducer of changeable frequency with the possibility of creating sector format. The tissue harmoning imaging (THI), Power and Colour Doppler modes were also applied in the examinations. As a result, 21 (13.8%) of 152 examined patients did not demonstrate any abnormalities in ultrasound examination. In the group the appendix was not visible. In the other 131 (86.2%) patients we observed a number of pathologies such as following: in 96 (73.3%) patients visible appendix, in 8 (6.1%) enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, in 6 (4.6%) pathological broadening of the distal ileum wall, in 6 (3.2%) pathological broadening of the caecum wall and others. All these symptoms might be treated as indirect symptoms of appendicitis. In conclusion, we would like to state that high frequency ultrasound examination is very useful in the diagnostics of appendicitis.

Solid tumours of perimeningeal region in children--diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties.

Thirteen patients, aged 2-17 years, were treated because of primary solid tumours of head and neck location at the Department of Children Hematology and Oncology in Lublin. The authors analyzed clinical symptoms before diagnosis and the duration of these symptoms as well as the kind of tumours. In all cases the tumour was diagnosed on histopathological examination: soft tissue sarcomas--9 children, lymphoepithelioma--4 ones. The prognosis and treatment were estimated.

The application of ultrasound contrast, 3D imaging and tissue harmonic imaging in the differential diagnosis of lymph nodes enlargement in children.

The application of Power Doppler mode examination introduced the assessment of vascularisation and measurement of blood flow parameters in lymph node's vessels as a differentiating criterion of benign and malignant lymphadenopathy. However, those criteria appeared insufficient in evaluation of the malignancy grade of enlarged lymph nodes, especially in the cases of lymph nodes with invisible or scantly visible vascularisation in Power Doppler mode. Introducing contrast media in ultrasonographic examinations enabling intensification of the Doppler signal even by 20 dB creates the hope of increasing diagnostic efficacy of ultrasonography in evaluation of vascularisation in lymph nodes enlargement. The purpose of the study was to define the usefulness of ultrasonographic contrast media (Levovist), 3D presentation and harmonic imaging in differential diagnosis of lymph nodes enlargement in children. 32 children with cervical lymph nodes enlargement underwent examination with ultrasonography. In the examinations, Levovist by Schering was used in concentration 300, the amount depending on patient's body mass. The analysis of results obtained in the study revealed that application of contrast media enables better visualisation of lymph node vascularisation. Localisation of the vessels which were not shown in conventional Doppler mode enables visualisation of the vessel architecture in the lymph node and better defining of vascularisation pattern. Application of the new methods of THI and 3D imaging and contrast media in Power Doppler examinations increases the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasonography in differentiating lymph nodes alternations.