Comparative analysis of different therapeutic approaches in the management of protein-energy malnutrition: Case reports from a clinical setting.

BACKGROUND: Severe protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) presents a significant clinical challenge, often compounded by comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes. This case report aims to elucidate the intricacies of managing severe PEM in conjunction with type 2 diabetes, emphasizing the importance of personalized interventions and multidisciplinary collaboration in achieving optimal outcomes. By addressing the unique challenges this complex clinical scenario poses, this report contributes valuable insights to the medical literature and guides clinicians in effectively managing similar cases. METHODS: The patient, pseudonymously identified as Emma Thompson, underwent a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation to assess her symptoms' severity and underlying causes. This included a thorough physical examination, laboratory testing, imaging studies, and collaboration with specialists to formulate a tailored treatment plan. Interventions were meticulously administered, with dosages, strengths, and durations adjusted based on ongoing assessments and patient response. RESULTS: Implementing multidisciplinary therapeutic interventions significantly improved the patient's nutritional status, glycemic control, and overall well-being. Objective measures such as BMI, serum albumin levels, and physical functioning showed marked improvement throughout treatment. Patient-reported outcomes indicated enhanced quality of life, reduced fatigue, and increased energy levels, underscoring the comprehensive success of the integrated therapeutic approach. CONCLUSION: This case report highlights the efficacy of a holistic, patient-centered approach in managing severe PEM and comorbid type 2 diabetes. Optimal outcomes were achieved by addressing the complex interplay of medical conditions through tailored interventions and multidisciplinary collaboration. The lessons from this case underscore the importance of individualized care, ongoing assessment, and long-term follow-up in enhancing patient well-being and guiding future clinical practice.

[Research Progress in Pathogenesis,Nutrition and Exercise Intervention of Patients With Protein Energy Wasting].

Protein energy wasting(PEW)is common in maintenance hemodialysis(MHD)patients,and it is associated with a variety of adverse clinical outcomes,including weight loss and increased protein catabolism.There are many studies on health interventions for MHD patients through nutrition strategies,exercise patterns and the combination of both.This article reviews the pathogenesis,diagnostic criteria and intervention measures of PEW,aiming to provide a reference for early clinical diagnosis,identification and intervention of PEW.

Nutrition: Malnutrition and Dietary Intake Modification.

The average adult needs 1 to 2 g protein/kg of body weight and 25 to 30 kcal/kg of body weight per day. Caloric needs in adults differ based on height, weight, activity level, and disease state. Malnutrition is defined as an imbalance of nutrition, including lack of adequate calories, protein, and/or other nutrients required for body functioning. Protein-calorie malnutrition is a specific type of malnutrition defined as deficient intake or uptake of protein and energy that leads to physiologic alterations such as inflammation, loss in fat-free mass, and/or decreased response to medical treatment. Worldwide, 20% to 50% of hospitalized patients have malnutrition preadmission, and up to 90% of older adult patients are at increased risk. All patients should be screened for malnutrition within 24 hours of hospital admission. If malnutrition is suspected in the outpatient setting, patients should be screened with assistance from a registered dietitian nutritionist. The treatment strategy for protein and calorie supplementation involves provision of additional calories via oral nutritional supplements, enteral tube feedings, or parenteral nutrition. Oral nutritional supplements are indicated for patients with mild cases of malnutrition who are able to consume food orally. Meal replacement products are a convenient way to modify macronutrient intake, including use as a temporary solution to increase intake in patients with malnutrition and as an intervention for weight loss.

Deconstructing Disease-Related Malnutrition: A New Assessment Framework for Clinical Practice.

Protein-energy wasting (PEW) is a key cause of functional impairment and poor health outcomes in people with chronic kidney disease. While PEW can be mitigated with nutrition therapy, it is a complex myriad of disorders with numerous interacting etiologies and corresponding presentations, which make it difficult to diagnose and manage in practice. A variety of scoring rubrics have been developed to facilitate malnutrition assessment. Although these tools have greatly benefited the recognition and treatment of PEW, the typical format of grading specified PEW indicators has the potential to overlook or overstate highly relevant individual-specific factors. This review presents a simple framework for malnutrition assessment that can be used to complement and evaluate conventional assessment tools. Unlike standard tools, which are designed to identify and rate malnutrition risk and severity, the malnutrition framework is conceptual model that organizes PEW assessment into three distinct, but interacting facets of PEW risk: nutrient balance, nutrition status, and malnutrition risk. The new framework encourages critical thinking about PEW risk that may help clinicians plan and interpret assessments to efficiently and effectively manage this condition.

Portal Hypertension in Malnutrition and Sarcopenia in Decompensated Cirrhosis-Pathogenesis, Implications and Therapeutic Opportunities.

Malnutrition and sarcopenia are highly prevalent in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and are associated with poorer clinical outcomes. Their pathophysiology is complex and multifactorial, with protein-calorie malnutrition, systemic inflammation, reduced glycogen stores and hormonal imbalances all well reported. The direct contribution of portal hypertension to these driving factors is however not widely documented in the literature. This review details the specific mechanisms by which portal hypertension directly contributes to the development of malnutrition and sarcopenia in cirrhosis. We summarise the existing literature describing treatment strategies that specifically aim to reduce portal pressures and their impact on nutritional and muscle outcomes, which is particularly relevant to those with end-stage disease awaiting liver transplantation.

Revisiting Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition: How Can We Apply the Evidence in Clinical Practice?

Intradialytic parenteral nutrition (IDPN) remains a controversial nutrition support practice in hemodialysis. Multiple reviews and evidence-based clinical practice guidelines have been published in the past 20 years. Despite essentially looking at the same evidence, conclusions and recommendations vary significantly, leading to widespread uncertainty among clinicians on the value of and indications for IDPN. This paper aims to bring a clinical perspective to the current state of evidence and clinical practice, recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of current evidence and the clinical questions that remain unanswered, as well as providing guidance for using IDPN in clinical practice. IDPN should be considered a strategy to complement spontaneous oral intake in clinically stable patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis or who have or are at risk of malnutrition and who have substantial but not adequate protein and/or energy intake. There is a clear need for robust randomized controlled trials evaluating the impact of IDPN in appropriately selected patients. Additionally, future trials should include patient-centered outcome measures such as appetite, spontaneous oral intake, quality of life, and reliable measures of nutritional status.

Nutritional Management in Elderly CKD Patients in Japan.

The munber of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients is increasing globally because kidney function is affected by aging and lifestyle habits. Malnutrition, muscle weakness, and a decline in activities of daily living (ADL) are often observed in elderly CKD patients and dialysis patients, and are related to their CKD prognosis and life prognoses. Chronic inflammation and atherosclerotic disease are associated with malnutrition. Because malnutrition and its related factors affect patients' prognoses, it is necessary to identify and treat patients with malnutrition at an early stage. The state in which the stored protein and energy sources are reduced in CKD is called protein energy wasting (PEW). PEW is diagnosed on the basis of biochemical test findings such as hypoalbuminemia, unhealthy physique, and decreased muscle mass and dietary intake. For evaluating PEW, a complex nutritional index taking into account the pathophysiology specific to CKD patients is useful. Not only nutritional therapy but also exercise therapy is necessary to stop the vicious cycle associated with PEW and the decline in ADL.

Quality of Life in Patients with Renal Failure Undergoing Hemodialysis.

A good quality of life is one of the many indicators that determine the success of hemodialysis (HD) therapy. Factors that significantly affect the quality of life of patients with renal failure who undergo HD include sociodemographic condition, mental state (depression), severity of kidney disease, accompanying disorders, HD duration, non-adherence towards prescribed medication and nutritional problems. Among said factors, the metabolic and nutritional disorder commonly known as protein energy wasting (PEW), plays an important role in the clinical course of renal failure patients. The aim of nutrition management in patients with renal failure is to slow down the progression of kidney disease, improve quality of life, and reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Severity of protein-energy wasting and obesity are independently related with poor quality of life in peritoneal dialysis patients / La severidad del desgaste energético-proteico y la obesidad se relacionan independientemente con la mala calidad de vida en pacientes de diálisis peritoneal

Protein-energy wasting (PEW) and poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are independently associated with morbi-mortality in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). PEW may reduce HRQoL; however, we hypothesized HRQoL is affected differentially by PEW degrees or by individual criteria of nutritional status.Aim: To evaluate HRQoL according to PEW severity and nutritional status indicators in CAPD.This is a cross-sectional study in 151 patients. Subjective global assessment (SGA) was employed, and nutritional status classified as normal, mild-moderate PEW, and severe PEW. HRQoL was evaluated using Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form™, including physical (PCS), mental (MCS) and kidney disease (KDCS) components, and their subscales. Dietary intake, anthropometric and biochemical variables were measured.Forty-six percent of patients were well-nourished, 44% had mild-moderate PEW, and 10% severe PEW. Compared with well-nourished patients, those with mild-moderate (p=0.06) and severe (p=0.005) PEW had lower HRQoL score [68 (52–75), 55 (45–72), 46 (43–58), respectively]. PCS, MCS, and KDCS and their subscales had lower values as PEW was more severe. Patients with obesity and hypoalbuminemia had significantly lower HRQoL overall and component scores than their counterparts. Dietary intake was not associated with quality of life. In multivariate analysis obesity, PEW (by SGA), hypoalbuminemia, and low educational level predicted poor HRQoL (χ2 58.2, p<0.0001).As conclusion, PEW severity was related with worse HRQoL, either as overall score or in every component or subscale in CAPD patients. Poor HRQoL was predicted independently by PEW severity and obesity; additional predictors were hypoalbuminemia and low education. (AU)

El desgaste proteico-energético (DEP) y la mala calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) se asocian de forma independiente con la morbimortalidad en diálisis peritoneal continua ambulatoria (DPCA). El DEP puede reducir la CVRS; sin embargo, planteamos la hipótesis de que la CVRS se ve afectada de forma independiente por los grados de DEP o por los criterios individuales del estado nutricional. Objetivo : Evaluar la CVRS de acuerdo a la gravedad de la DEP e indicadores del estado nutricional en DPCA.Este es un estudio transversal en 151 pacientes. Se empleó la evaluación global subjetiva (EGS) y el estado nutricional se clasificó como normal, DEP leve-moderada y DEP grave. La CVRS se evaluó mediante el uso del cuestionario Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form™, incluidos los componentes físicos (PCS), mentales (MCS) y de enfermedad renal (KDCS) y sus subescalas. Se midieron la ingesta dietética, las variables antropométricas y bioquímicas.El 46% de los pacientes tenía un estado nutricional normal, el 44% tenía DEP leve-moderada y el 10% DEP grave. En comparación con los pacientes bien nutridos, aquellos con DEP leve-moderada (p=0,06) y grave (p=0,005) tenían una puntuación de CVRS más baja (68 [52-75], 55 [45-72], 46 [43-58], respectivamente). Igualmente, la PCS, MCS y KDCS y sus subescalas tuvieron valores más bajos, conforme la DEP fue más severa. Los pacientes con obesidad e hipoalbuminemia tenían puntuaciones de CVRS general y de sus componentes significativamente más bajas que sus contrapartes. La ingesta dietética no se asoció con la calidad de vida. En el análisis multivariado la obesidad, el DEP (por EGS), la hipoalbuminemia y el bajo nivel educativo predijeron una mala CVRS (χ2 58,2; p<0,0001).En conclusión, la gravedad del DEP se relacionó con una peor CVRS, ya sea como puntuación global o en cada componente o subescala de los pacientes con DPCA. ... (AU)

A Novel Approach for Managing Protein-Energy Wasting in People With Kidney Failure Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis: Rationale and Call for Trials.

Protein-energy wasting (PEW) is a unique presentation of protein-energy malnutrition in people with kidney disease that is characterized by body protein catabolism exceeding anabolism. PEW is especially common in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD) treatment. Dietary guidelines for managing PEW in HD patients primarily focus on protein adequacy and typically promote the intake of animal-based protein foods. Although intake of protein and essential amino acids is important for protein synthesis, the emphasis on protein adequacy largely fails to address-and may actually exacerbate-many of the root causes of PEW. This perspective examines the dietary determinants of PEW in people undergoing HD treatment, with an emphasis on upstream disease-related factors that reduce dietary protein utilization and impair dietary intakes. From this, we present a theoretical diet model for managing PEW that includes etiology-based dietary strategies to address barriers to intake and treat disease-related factors, as well as supportive dietary strategies to promote adequate energy and protein intakes. Given the complexity of diet-disease interactions in the pathogenesis of PEW, and its ongoing burden in HD patients, interventional trials are urgently needed to evaluate alternative diet therapy approaches for PEW in this population.

Adequação calórico proteica da terapia nutricional enteral em pacientes críticos / Caloric-protein adequacy of enteral nutritional therapy in critical patients

A doença crítica promove um estado hipercatabólico associado a uma resposta inflamatória intensa. Admite-se que essas alterações contribuem para o aumento do gasto de energia e para a elevação do catabolismo proteico. Objetivo: analisar a adequação calórico-proteica da terapia de nutrição enteral e o seu impacto no desfecho clínico de pacientes críticos. Método: Trata-se de um estudo longitudinal prospectivo realizado com 36 pacientes internados em unidades de terapia intensiva. A adequação da oferta calórico-proteica foi obtida pela relação percentual a partir do quarto dia de implementação da terapia nutricional. Realizou-se o teste de Shapiro Wilk para averiguar a normalidade dos dados e a partir disso, foi aplicado o teste de Mann-Whitney ou de t-Student não pareado. Foi realizada a análise de regressão logística com estimativa de seu coeficiente. Para a regressão estimou-se o intervalo de confiança de 95% e nível de significância de 5%. Foi utilizado o software STATA® versão 14.0 nesta análise. Resultados: Ao avaliar 36 pacientes verificou-se que a sobrevida foi menor entre os indivíduos que apresentaram o menor percentual de adequação calórica (p=0,010) e proteica (p=<0,001). Observou-se que oferta proteica impactou mais expressivamente os desfechos clínicos, ao aumento de 1% na média de adequação proteica as chances de óbito diminuíram 21%. Conclusão: O menor percentual de adequação calórico-proteica foi associado a menor sobrevida de pacientes críticos. Ainda, observou-se que o percentual de adequação proteica se associou mais expressivamente aos desfechos clínicos nessa amostra

The critical illness promotes a hypercatabolic state associated with an intense inflammatory response. It is recognized that those changes contribute to the rise of consumption of energy expenditure and to protein metabolism rise. Objective: to analyze the adequacy caloric-protein of enteral nutrition therapy and its impact on the clinical outcome of critical patients. Method: This is a prospective longitudinal study conducted with 36 hospitalized patients in intensive care units. The caloric-protein adequacy was acquired by percent ratio from the fourth day of nutritional therapy implementation. The Shapiro Wilk test was performed to check the data normality and based on that the Mann-Whitney test or unpaired Student t test was applied. The logistic regression analysis was performed with an estimate of its coefficient. For regression, it was estimated the confidence interval of 95% and significance level of 5%. In this analysis was utilized the STATA® software version 14.0. Results: In the evaluation of 36 patients, it was found that survival was lower among the individuals who had the lower percentage of caloric adequacy (p=0,010) and protein (p=<0,001). It was observed that the protein supply impacted expressively the clinical outcome with an increase of 1% in the average protein adequacy, the chances of death decreased by 21%. Conclusion: The lower percentage of caloric-protein adequacy was associated with lower mortality of critical patients. In addition, in this sampling, it was observed that the protein adequacy percentual joined expressively in the clinical outcome

Overcoming protein-energy malnutrition in older adults in the residential care setting: A narrative review of causes and interventions.

Malnutrition, in particular protein-energy malnutrition, is a highly prevalent condition in older adults, and is associated with low muscle mass and function, and increased prevalence of physical frailty. Malnutrition is often exacerbated in the residential care setting due to factors including lack of dentition and appetite, and increased prevalence of dementia and dysphagia. This review aims to provide an overview of the available literature in older adults in the residential care setting regarding the following: links between sarcopenia, frailty, and malnutrition (in particular, protein-energy malnutrition (PEM)), recognition and diagnosis of malnutrition, factors contributing to PEM, and the effectiveness of different forms of protein supplementation (in particular, oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) and protein-fortified foods (PFF)) to target PEM. This review found a lack of consensus on effective malnutrition diagnostic tools and lack of universal requirement for malnutrition screening in the residential care setting, making identifying and treating malnutrition in this population a challenge. When assessing the use of protein supplementation in the residential care setting, the two primary forms of supplementation were ONS and PFF. There is evidence that ONS and PFF increase protein and energy intakes in residential care setting, yet compliance with supplementation and their impact on functional status is unclear and conflicting. Further research comparing the use of ONS and PFF is needed to fully determine feasibility and efficacy of protein supplementation in the residential care setting.

Maintenance of Skeletal Muscle to Counteract Sarcopenia in Patients with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease and Especially Those Undergoing Hemodialysis.

Life extension in modern society has introduced new concepts regarding such disorders as frailty and sarcopenia, which has been recognized in various studies. At the same time, cutting-edge technology methods, e.g., renal replacement therapy for conditions such as hemodialysis (HD), have made it possible to protect patients from advanced lethal chronic kidney disease (CKD). Loss of muscle and fat mass, termed protein energy wasting (PEW), has been recognized as prognostic factor and, along with the increasing rate of HD introduction in elderly individuals in Japan, appropriate countermeasures are necessary. Although their origins differ, frailty, sarcopenia, and PEW share common components, among which skeletal muscle plays a central role in their etiologies. The nearest concept may be sarcopenia, for which diagnosis techniques have recently been reported. The focus of this review is on maintenance of skeletal muscle against aging and CKD/HD, based on muscle physiology and pathology. Clinically relevant and topical factors related to muscle wasting including sarcopenia, such as vitamin D, myostatin, insulin (related to diabetes), insulin-like growth factor I, mitochondria, and physical inactivity, are discussed. Findings presented thus far indicate that in addition to modulation of the aforementioned factors, exercise combined with nutritional supplementation may be a useful approach to overcome muscle wasting and sarcopenia in elderly patients undergoing HD treatments.

Vitamin D in dysphagic patients who have undergone endoscopic gastrostomy for long-term enteral feeding.

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D plays a major role in biological processes. Its deficiency is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Patients who have undergone endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) present with protein-energy malnutrition, and may be at risk for Vitamin D deficiency, due to their age, less sunlight exposure and lower dietary intake. We aimed to determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in PEG-patients, its change under PEG-feeding, and its relationship with serum proteins and risk factors for Vitamin D deficiency. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study, over 4 weeks, after gastrostomy. Data were collected at the initial PEG procedure (T0), and after 4 weeks (T1). Initial evaluation included age, gender, underlying disorder, NRS-2002, BMI, serum albumin, transferrin and Vitamin D. At T1 we assessed Vit. D, albumin, and transferrin. Vitamin D was performed with Electrochemiluminescence through Elecsys 2010 assay. Patients were fed with blended homemade meals. RESULTS: 200 patients (118 males), 22-92 years of age, were studied. There were initial low values for Vit. D (181), albumin (96), transferrin (121), and BMI (124). A correlation was found between Vit. D and serum albumin (r=0.49, p=0.005) but not with transferrin (r=0.26, p=0.195). At T1 the subgroup who had Vit. D levels assessed (n=48) was part of the initial study group maintained low levels of Vitamin D despite nutritional intervention. CONCLUSION: We recommend systematic Vitamin D supplementation of PEG fed patients using homemade meals or at least screening for hypovitaminosis D as a routine part of their care.

[Staged approach in the treatment of patients with enterocutaneous fistulae]. / Etapnyi podkhod v lechenii bol'nykh s nesformirovannymi kishechnymi svishchami.

OBJECTIVE: To determine an optimal approach in the treatment of patients with intestinal fistulae. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have used the above-mentioned algorithm in the treatment of 46 patients. The majority of patients (n=44, 96%) were transferred under supervision of our multidisciplinary team with severe water-electrolyte disturbances and signs of secondary protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) that required complex combined nutritional support. A two-stage approach was applied in all cases. The first one was conservative and included correction and prevention of infectious complications, nutritional and metabolic therapy, local wound treatment, and anatomical assessment of the fistula. The second stage was reconstructive and implied various reconstructive interventions not earlier than 3 months after formation of the fistula. RESULTS: Conservative approach was followed by fistula healing in 6 patients, surgery was required in 25 patients. Complications with subsequent redo surgery occurred in 4 cases. In all cases, favorable outcome was noted. All 25 patients were discharged. Three patients refused reconstructive surgery after development of fistula, they were also discharged. Mortality rate was 26% (n=12). CONCLUSION: A multidisciplinary two-stage approach can significantly improve treatment outcomes in patients with intestinal fistulae.

Nutritional Status in Peritoneal Dialysis: Nutritional Guidelines, Adequacy and the Management of Malnutrition.

The positive impact of nutritional status on the health and treatment adequacy of peritoneal dialyzed patients has been well established. Protein intake is an important factor used to stratify malnutrition, with inadequate intake leading to protein-energy wasting during the course of therapy. In this review, we discuss the recommendations made by nephrological societies regarding nutrition in this population of dialysis patients. Special attention is given to the intake of protein, and recommendations on the intake of micronutrients are also discussed. Furthermore, factors that may impair nutritional intake and balance are discussed, with mention of the innovative strategies utilized to combat them. In light of inconsistent recommendations that vary between each respective society, as well as a general lack of concise information, it is our intention to call for further research regarding nutritional recommendations in peritoneal dialysis (PD), as well as to advocate for clear and accessible information for patients.

In Vivo Implications of Potential Probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri LR6 on the Gut and Immunological Parameters as an Adjuvant Against Protein Energy Malnutrition.

The present study investigated the impact of probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri LR6 on the gut and systemic immunity using protein energy malnourished (PEM) murine model. Thirty male Swiss albino mice were divided into five groups: control (C), malnourished (M), probiotic fermented milk (PFM), skim milk (SM), and bacterial suspension (BS) with six mice per group. Group C was fed with conventional diet throughout the study while the other groups were fed with protein calorie restricted diet until the development of malnutrition. After development of malnutrition, group M was continued with the restricted diet while other groups were fed with re-nourished diet supplemented with PFM, SM, and BS for 1 week, respectively. Thereafter, mice were sacrificed and different histological, microbiological, and immunological parameters were studied. Probiotics feeding in PEM model as fermented product or bacterial suspension improved the intestinal health in terms of intact morphology of colonic crypts, normal goblet cells, and intact lamina propria with no inflammation in large intestine, absence of fibrosis, and no inflammation in spleen. The number of secretory IgA+ cells was significantly higher in group PFM and BS. Also, increase in the phagocytic percentage of the macrophages and bone marrow derived dendritic cells (DCs) were observed in the PFM and BS group in comparison to the group M. In comparison to the group M and SM, lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, and Firmicutes counts were significantly higher in the group PFM and BS. This study concludes that probiotic supplementation to re-nutrition diet could emerge as wonder therapeutics against PEM.

Malnutrition and Perioperative Nutritional Support in Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Patients: Results from a Prospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcomas (RPSs) are mesenchymal neoplasms. The prevalence of protein energetic malnutrition (PEM) and its impact in RPS patients who were candidates for surgery is unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective feasibility study enrolled 35 patients with primary RPS who were candidates for extended multivisceral resection. PEM was screened at enrollment. Preoperative high protein ß-hydroxy-ß-methyl butyrate oral nutritional support (ONS) was provided according to the degree of PEM. After surgery, nutritional support followed standard practice, targeting at least 1 g/kg/day protein and 20 kcal/kg/day caloric intake within the third postoperative day (POD). PEM was re-evaluated before surgery on POD 10, and at 4 and 12 months after surgery. Primary outcomes were the patient's compliance to preoperative ONS and the physician's compliance to postoperative nutritional targets. RESULTS: PEM was documented in 46% of patients at baseline; ONS met a 91% adherence (overall well tolerated). After ONS, PEM reduced to 38% (p = 0.45). The postoperative caloric target was reached on day 4.1 (standard error ± 2.7), with a protocol adherence rate of 52%. On POD 10, 91% of patients experienced PEM, the worsening of which was greater after resection of four or more organs (p = 0.06). At 4 and 12 months after surgery, almost all patients had fully recovered. A significant correlation between PEM at surgery and postoperative complications was found (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Relevant PEM prevalence in RPS is documented for the first time. PEM correlates with greater morbidity. In this setting, preoperative ONS was feasible and well-tolerated. Disease-related factors for PEM and the ideal perioperative caloric target in the context of extended multivisceral resection need to be further investigated. Nutritional support should be included in enhanced recovery after surgery programs for RPS. TRIAL REGISTRY: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03877588.

Recurrent Hyperammonemia During Enteral Tube Feeding for Severe Protein Malnutrition After Bariatric Surgery.

A 28-year-old female was admitted 2 years after gastric bypass limb distalization because of severe weight loss, fatigue, chronic diarrhea, massive edema, and a serum albumin of 10 g/L without proteinuria. A diagnosis of severe energy and protein malnutrition was made, and enteral tube feeding was started in combination with pancreatic enzyme supplementation every 3 h. Within 24 h after the start of tube feeding, she developed severe hyperammonemia. Tube feeding was stopped immediately, and this led to a normalization of serum ammonia levels within 8 h. When tube feeding was resumed, albeit at a lower rate and with preventive measures taken, hyperammonemia occurred again. The underlying causes and treatments of hyperammonemia during tube feeding are discussed.