Clinical, Functional, and Nutritional Efficacy of a Glutamine-Enriched Oligomeric Diet in Patients with Rectal Cancer.

AIMS: This work aims to evaluate the efficacy of nutritional supplementation with a glutamine-enriched oligomeric diet (GEOD) compared to a standard polymeric diet (SPD) in terms of oncology treatment-related diarrhea (OTRD) (frequency and consistency of stools), gastrointestinal toxicity, and functional and nutritional progress. METHODS: This prospective cohort study compared two groups of patients with rectal cancer in treatment with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy who were at risk of malnutrition. Patients were randomized to receive either 400 ml of GEOD or of SPD from the start of radiotherapy to 30 days after its completion. RESULTS: Eighty patients were recruited, 40 per arm. The GEOD arm had improved stool consistency and a greater reduction in the number of stools compared to the SPD arm (p < 0.001). The relative risk (RR) of developing diarrhea in the GEOD arm was 0.059 (95% CI 0.015-0.229). There was a reduced risk of developing intestinal mucositis in the GEOD arm compared to the SPD arm [RR 0.202 (95% CI 0.102 - 0.399)]. The GEOD arm had greater improvements in functional and nutritional status (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: GEOD had a protective effect in terms of the development of gastrointestinal toxicity associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment in patients with rectal cancer.

Síndrome infantil de muerte súbita: el riesgo que afrontan los lactantes en Bogotá, D.C., Colombia / Sudden infant death syndrome: The risk of infants in Bogotá, Colombia

Resumen Introducción. El síndrome infantil de muerte súbita (SIMS) tiene factores de riesgo y estrategias de prevención que los profesionales de la salud y la población en general desconocen. Objetivo. Realizar un diagnóstico de los conocimientos sobre SIMS en Bogotá, D.C. a partir de la información obtenida de encuestas aplicadas en el 2010 a padres y cuidadores de menores de un año. Materiales y métodos. Se entrevistaron 1 101 cuidadores de lactantes de diferentes estratos socioeconómicos. Los resultados se compararon por estrato y se realizó un análisis estadístico. Resultados. Se evidenciaron conductas que ponen en riesgo de SIMS a los lactantes en Bogotá, D.C. El 2.1% de las madres confesaron fumar durante el embarazo, encontrándose mayor incidencia en los estratos socioeconómicos bajos (12.53%) que en los altos (3.10%). Del 77% que recibieron recomendaciones sobre la posición al dormir, el 8% reconocieron la importancia de esta para prevenir el SIMS. El 63% de los bebés fueron acostados en una posición de riesgo para este síndrome. Conclusiones. Se demuestra el riesgo al que los bebés están expuestos debido a prácticas erróneas que se asocian con el conocimiento de sus cuidadores y las recomendaciones que estos reciben, incluso, de profesionales de la salud. Asimismo, se concluye que el riesgo aumenta en la población más pobre.

Abstract Introduction: The sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is related to risk factors and prevention strategies that are unknown to health professionals and the general population. Objective: To determine the knowledge on SIDS in Bogotá based on the information obtained through surveys conducted in 2010 to parents and caregivers of infants under one year of age. Materials and methods: 1 101 caregivers of infants from different socioeconomic levels were evaluated through surveys. The results were compared by socioeconomic stratum, and a statistical analysis was performed. Results: This study found some behaviors that increase the risk of SIDS in infants; for example, 2.1% of the interviewed mothers reported tobacco consumption during pregnancy, with greater involvement in lower socioeconomic strata (12.53%) compared to higher strata (3.10%). Out of 77% of participants who were given recommendations on sleeping positions for infants, 8% recognized that this fact is highly relevant to prevent SIDS. It was found that 63% of infants sleep in positions considered as risk factors for SIDS. Conclusions: The results reflect the risk to which infants are exposed because of wrong practices associated with poor knowledge, and recommendations given, in many cases, by health professionals. Likewise, risk is higher among the poorest population.