Malnutrition and nutrition support in COVID-19: The results of a nutrition support protocol.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is characterized by various clinical manifestations, mainly respiratory involvement. Disease-related malnutrition is associated with impaired respiratory function and increased all-cause morbidity and mortality. Patients with COVID-19 infection carry a high nutritional risk. After designing a specific nutritional support protocol for this disease, we carried out a retrospective study on malnutrition and on the use of nutritional support in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study to determine whether nutritional support positively affected hospital stay, clinical complications, and mortality in patients with COVID-19. We compared the results with those of standard nutritional management. Our secondary objectives were to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in patients with COVID-19 and the value of nutritional support in the hospital where the study was performed. RESULTS: At least 60% of patients with COVID-19 experience malnutrition (up to 78.66% presented at least 1 of the parameters studied). The specialized nutritional support protocol was indicated in only 21 patients (28%) and was started early in only 12 patients (16%). Hospital stay was significantly shorter in patients managed with the early protocol (5.09 days, 95% CI, 1.338-8.853, p<0.01). Similarly, in this group, respiratory distress was less severe and less frequent (41% vs 82.5%, p<0.007), and statistically significantly fewer complications were recorded (9/12 vs 91/63; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 is associated with high rates of disease-related malnutrition. Early implementation of a specialized nutritional support plan can improve the prognosis of these patients by reducing hospital stay, the possibility of more severe respiratory distress, and complications in general.

Malnutrition and nutrition support in COVID-19: The results of a nutrition support protocol.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is characterized by various clinical manifestations, mainly respiratory involvement. Disease-related malnutrition is associated with impaired respiratory function and increased all-cause morbidity and mortality. Patients with COVID-19 infection carry a high nutritional risk. After designing a specific nutritional support protocol for this disease, we carried out a retrospective study on malnutrition and on the use of nutritional support in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study to determine whether nutritional support positively affected hospital stay, clinical complications, and mortality in patients with COVID-19. We compared the results with those of standard nutritional management. Our secondary objectives were to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in patients with COVID-19 and the value of nutritional support in the hospital where the study was performed. RESULTS: At least 60% of patients with COVID-19 experience malnutrition (up to 78.66% presented at least 1 of the parameters studied). The specialized nutritional support protocol was indicated in only 21 patients (28%) and was started early in only 12 patients (16%). Hospital stay was significantly shorter in patients managed with the early protocol (5.09 days, 95% CI, 1.338-8.853, p<0.01). Similarly, in this group, respiratory distress was less severe and less frequent (41% vs 82.5%, p<0.007), and statistically significantly fewer complications were recorded (9/12 vs 91/63; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 is associated with high rates of disease-related malnutrition. Early implementation of a specialized nutritional support plan can improve the prognosis of these patients by reducing hospital stay, the possibility of more severe respiratory distress, and complications in general.

Searching for a nutritional screening tool. The value of an analytical method when staff trained in clinical nutrition is not available / Búsqueda de un método de cribado nutricional. Utilidad de un método analítico ante la carencia de personal especializado en nutrición clínica

Introduction: Disease-related malnutrition (DRM) is highly prevalent. Various European resolutions urge to screen and treat DRM. No policy in this regard has yet been developed in Extremadura (Spain). Objectives: To assess the prevalence of DRM (defined as NRS 2002≥3) using an analytical method (FILNUT), and to compare it with the official rate. Results: FILNUT scores≥3 showed values of sensitivity (S) and positive predictive value (PPV) of 82.3% and 72.3% respectively. No statistically significant differences were found between men and women using this tool. FILNUT showed a significantly higher sensitivity for detecting malnutrition in medical - as compared to surgical - diseases when low scores were used. The estimated prevalence of DRM was 21.4%. Prevalence of DRM is much greater than officially reported. Conclusions: FILNUT scores≥3 show high sensitivity and PPV for detecting DRM, and is a good alternative as a nutritional screening tool to detect malnutrition at our center

Introducción: La desnutrición relacionada con la enfermedad (DRE) es una entidad con alta prevalencia. Diversas resoluciones a nivel europeo instan a detectar y tratar la DRE. Aún no se ha desarrollado ninguna política al respecto en Extremadura (España). Objetivos: Determinar la prevalencia de la DRE (definida como NRS 2002≥3) utilizando un método analítico (FILNUT). Comparar dichos resultados con la tasa oficial de pacientes con DRE. Resultados: Una puntuación en FILNUT≥3 mostró unos valores de sensibilidad y valor predictivo positivo del 82,3 y 72,3%, respectivamente. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas al comparar la utilización de esta herramienta por sexos. FILNUT mostró una sensibilidad significativamente mayor para detectar malnutrición en enfermedades médicas cuando se utilizaron valores bajos de la herramienta. La prevalencia estimada de DRE ascendió al 21,4%. La prevalencia de DRE estimada es muy superior a la reportada de forma oficial. Conclusiones: Un valor de FILNUT≥3 puntos presenta alta sensibilidad y VPP para detectar DRE, siendo una buena alternativa para utilizar en nuestro centro como herramienta de cribado nutricional

Searching for a nutritional screening tool. The value of an analytical method when staff trained in clinical nutrition is not available.

INTRODUCTION: Disease-related malnutrition (DRM) is highly prevalent. Various European resolutions urge to screen and treat DRM. No policy in this regard has yet been developed in Extremadura (Spain). OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of DRM (defined as NRS 2002≥3) using an analytical method (FILNUT), and to compare it with the official rate. RESULTS: FILNUT scores≥3 showed values of sensitivity (S) and positive predictive value (PPV) of 82.3% and 72.3% respectively. No statistically significant differences were found between men and women using this tool. FILNUT showed a significantly higher sensitivity for detecting malnutrition in medical - as compared to surgical - diseases when low scores were used. The estimated prevalence of DRM was 21.4%. Prevalence of DRM is much greater than officially reported. CONCLUSIONS: FILNUT scores≥3 show high sensitivity and PPV for detecting DRM, and is a good alternative as a nutritional screening tool to detect malnutrition at our center.

Evaluación del proceso de soporte nutricional en un hospital comarcal / Evaluation of nutritional support in a regional hospital

Introducción: La desnutrición relacionada con la enfermedad (DRE) es una enfermedad con alta prevalencia en el medio hospitalario español (uno de cada 4 pacientes). La alianza «Más Nutridos» ha desarrollado un plan de acción para combatir esta entidad. El Sistema Extremeño de Salud ha incluido el cribado nutricional como único paso para luchar contra la DRE. Se realiza una evaluación de los resultados obtenidos por esta estrategia. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio de concordancia en condiciones de práctica clínica habitual estudiando los siguientes indicadores: tasa de cribado nutricional, tasa de diagnósticos nutricionales codificados, tasa de pacientes con valoración del estado nutricional (VEN), tasa de pacientes con cálculo de requerimientos en función de la situación clínica y el estado nutricional, tasa de pacientes con cumplimiento de requerimientos calóricos y proteicos estimados, tasa de pacientes con peso al ingreso, tasa de pacientes con talla al ingreso, tasa de pacientes con peso al alta, tasa de pacientes derivados a la Unidad de Nutrición Clínica y Dietética (UNCYD). Se comparan con los datos obtenidos por el programa de lucha contra la desnutrición en Holanda, que se utilizaron como estándares. Resultados: La tasa de cribado nutricional ascendió al 20,5% (IC95: 18,00-21,00%). La tasa de codificación y de valoración del estado nutricional al ingreso fue del 13%. El peso se determinó en el 16,5% de los pacientes al ingreso y en el 20% al alta (mismo resultado para talla). En el 30% se realizó un cálculo de requerimientos, que no fue prácticamente monitorizado (4 de 30 pacientes). Solo el 15% de los pacientes fueron derivados a la UNCYD. Todos los indicadores obtuvieron valores significativamente inferiores a los estándares (p<0,05), con valores de Kappa que en todo caso fueron inferiores a 0,2. El análisis ofreció resultados peores tras suprimir los pacientes atendidos por la UNCYD. Conclusiones: Una estrategia integral de detección y tratamiento de desnutrición propuesta por el Sistema Extremeño de Salud basada solamente en un cribado nutricional es ineficiente a todos los efectos en un hospital de las características del HVP

Introduction: Disease-related malnutrition (DRM) is highly prevalent in Spanish hospitals (occurring in 1 out of every 4 patients). The 'Más Nutridos' Alliance has developed an action plan to detect and treat DRM. In Extremadura (Spain), the public health system has included nutritional screening as the only mechanism to fight malnutrition. The results of this strategy are evaluated here. Patients and methods: An agreement study was conducted in standard clinical practice. Variables collected included the following rates: nutritional screening at entry, coded nutritional diagnoses, nutritional status assessment, nutritional requirements, successful nutritional therapy, weight and height at entry and discharge, referral to a nutritional support unit (NSU). Standards to comparison based on the results of the Netherland Program to Fight Malnutrition. Results: Nutritional screening rate at entry was 20.5% (95% CI: 18.00-21.00). Coding and nutritional status assessment rate at entry was 13%. Weight and height were both measured in 16.5% of patients at entry and 20% at discharge. Nutritional requirements were estimated in 30% and were poorly monitored (13.3%). Only 15% of patients were referred to a NSU. Significantly lower values were found for all indicators as compared to standards, with kappa values lower than 0.2 in all cases. Data analysis showed poorer results when patients referred to the NSU were excluded. Conclusions: A strategy to fight malnutrition based on nutritional screening alone is highly inefficient in hospitals such as HVP

Evaluation of nutritional support in a regional hospital. / Evaluación del proceso de soporte nutricional en un hospital comarcal.

INTRODUCTION: Disease-related malnutrition (DRM) is highly prevalent in Spanish hospitals (occurring in 1 out of every 4 patients). The 'Más Nutridos' Alliance has developed an action plan to detect and treat DRM. In Extremadura (Spain), the public health system has included nutritional screening as the only mechanism to fight malnutrition. The results of this strategy are evaluated here. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An agreement study was conducted in standard clinical practice. Variables collected included the following rates: nutritional screening at entry, coded nutritional diagnoses, nutritional status assessment, nutritional requirements, successful nutritional therapy, weight and height at entry and discharge, referral to a nutritional support unit (NSU). Standards to comparison based on the results of the Netherland Program to Fight Malnutrition. RESULTS: Nutritional screening rate at entry was 20.5% (95% CI: 18.00-21.00). Coding and nutritional status assessment rate at entry was 13%. Weight and height were both measured in 16.5% of patients at entry and 20% at discharge. Nutritional requirements were estimated in 30% and were poorly monitored (13.3%). Only 15% of patients were referred to a NSU. Significantly lower values were found for all indicators as compared to standards, with kappa values lower than 0.2 in all cases. Data analysis showed poorer results when patients referred to the NSU were excluded. CONCLUSIONS: A strategy to fight malnutrition based on nutritional screening alone is highly inefficient in hospitals such as HVP.

Impacto económico de la desnutrición relacionada con la enfermedad en el hospital San Pedro de Alcántara. Estimación del ahorro asociado a una atención nutricional especializada de calidad / Financial impact of disease-related malnutrition at the San Pedro de Alcántara hospital. Estimated cost savings associated to a specialized nutritional survey

Introducción y objetivos: La DRE es una entidad con alta prevalencia en nuestro medio hospitalario y conlleva un aumento de los costes sanitarios. Siguiendo la metodología del estudio PREDyCES se estimó el coste asociado a DRE. El ahorro potencial asociado al tratamiento especializado de la DRE se calculó extrapolando los datos de la estrategia SNAQ. Resultados: La mediana del coste por proceso en pacientes con DRE ascendió a 9.679,85 euros/proceso, lo que supuso un coste final de 28.700.775,2 euros. Cada paciente con DRE consumió 2,63 veces más recursos económicos que los pacientes sin DRE. El ahorro potencial asociado al tratamiento especializado de la DRE se estimó en 1.682.317,28 euros (5,86% del gasto asociado a la DRE). Conclusiones: Los pacientes con DRE presentaron un consumo de recursos muy superior al de pacientes normonutridos. Un tratamiento nutricional especializado supondría un ahorro potencial significativo (AU)

Introduction and objectives: DRM is a highly prevalent condition in Spanish hospitals and is associated to increased healthcare costs. Costs associated to DRM were calculated using the methods of the PREDyCES study. The potential savings derived from specialized nutritional treatment were calculated by extrapolating the results of the SNAQ strategy. Results: Median cost per procedure in patients with DRM was euros9,679.85, with a final cost of euros28,700,775.2. The cost of each patient with DRM was 2.63 times higher than the cost of patients with no DRM. The potential cost saving associated to specialized nutritional treatment was estimated at euros1,682,317.28 (5.86% of total cost associated to DRM). Conclusions: Patients with DRM showed a higher consumption of financial resources as compared to well-nourished patients. Specialized nutritional treatment is a potential cost-saving procedure (AU)

Financial impact of disease-related malnutrition at the San Pedro de Alcántara hospital. Estimated cost savings associated to a specialized nutritional survey. / Impacto económico de la desnutrición relacionada con la enfermedad en el hospital San Pedro de Alcántara. Estimación del ahorro asociado a una atención nutricional especializada de calidad.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: DRM is a highly prevalent condition in Spanish hospitals and is associated to increased healthcare costs. Costs associated to DRM were calculated using the methods of the PREDyCES study. The potential savings derived from specialized nutritional treatment were calculated by extrapolating the results of the SNAQ strategy. RESULTS: Median cost per procedure in patients with DRM was €9,679.85, with a final cost of €28,700,775.2. The cost of each patient with DRM was 2.63 times higher than the cost of patients with no DRM. The potential cost saving associated to specialized nutritional treatment was estimated at €1,682,317.28 (5.86% of total cost associated to DRM). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with DRM showed a higher consumption of financial resources as compared to well-nourished patients. Specialized nutritional treatment is a potential cost-saving procedure.

Respuesta: Desnutrición relacionada con la enfermedad: un área de mejora transversal / Reply: Disease-related malnutrition: A transversal improvement area

No disponible

Beneficios del soporte nutricional especializado precoz en pacientes con criterios de desnutrición / Benefits of early specialized nutritional support in malnourished patients

Introducción y objetivo. La desnutrición relacionada con la enfermedad (DRE) presenta una prevalencia del 23% en el medio hospitalario español y se asocia a complicaciones clínicas. El soporte nutricional especializado (SNE) puede reducir estas complicaciones. Material y métodos. Estudio prospectivo en condiciones de práctica clínica habitual que compara la reducción de la estancia y las complicaciones en pacientes con NRS-2002≥3 puntos que recibieron SNE durante los 5 primeros días de ingreso (precoz) o posteriormente. Resultados. El grupo con SNE precoz presentó una estancia media 8,83 días inferior al grupo con introducción tardía (IC 95% 3,55-14,10), si bien este grupo mostró un predominio de pacientes varones y con enfermedad oncológica que pudo influir en los resultados. Se describió una tendencia no estadísticamente significativa a la reducción de la mortalidad y las complicaciones totales. Conclusión. La introducción precoz (primeros 5 días) del SNE en DRE se asoció a una reducción del 32,4% de la estancia (AU)

Introduction and objective. Disease related malnutrition (DRM) is highly prevalent in Spain, affecting 23% of in-hospital patients, and is associated with clinical complications. Specialized nutritional support (SNS) can reduce these complications. Material and methods. Prospective study carried out in standard clinical practice conditions to test if SNS during the first 5 days of hospitalization, or subsequently, was associated to a lower length of stay or reduced complications in patients with a NRS-2002 score≥3 points. Results. In the group of patients who initiated early SNS, the length of stay was 8.83 days shorter than in the group with a later introduction (95% CI 3.55-14.10); nevertheless, the higher prevalence of male and oncological patients in this group could have impacted the results. A tendency towards a statistically significant lower mortality rate and a reduced amount of total complications was described. Conclusion. The early introduction of SNS (within the first 5 days of hospitalization) in patients with DRM was associated with a 32.4% reduction in the length of stay (AU)

Benefits of early specialized nutritional support in malnourished patients. / Beneficios del soporte nutricional especializado precoz en pacientes con criterios de desnutrición.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Disease related malnutrition (DRM) is highly prevalent in Spain, affecting 23% of in-hospital patients, and is associated with clinical complications. Specialized nutritional support (SNS) can reduce these complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study carried out in standard clinical practice conditions to test if SNS during the first 5 days of hospitalization, or subsequently, was associated to a lower length of stay or reduced complications in patients with a NRS-2002 score≥3 points. RESULTS: In the group of patients who initiated early SNS, the length of stay was 8.83 days shorter than in the group with a later introduction (95% CI 3.55-14.10); nevertheless, the higher prevalence of male and oncological patients in this group could have impacted the results. A tendency towards a statistically significant lower mortality rate and a reduced amount of total complications was described. CONCLUSION: The early introduction of SNS (within the first 5 days of hospitalization) in patients with DRM was associated with a 32.4% reduction in the length of stay.

[Not Available]. / Impacto de la adecuada codificación de la desnutrición y procesos asociados sobre el índice case-mix en patologías médicas y quirúrgicas.

Introducción: la clasificación por procesos según el sistema de los grupos relacionados con el diagnóstico permite clasificar los diferentes procesos acorde a un consumo de recursos equivalentes. La complejidad de los procesos según el índice case-mix permite solicitar un mayor o menor presupuesto para la atención de los pacientes. La desnutrición tiene capacidad para aumentar el índice case-mix si bien en muchos casos este diagnóstico y el de los procesos nutricionales no se realizan de forma adecuada. Objetivo: determinar si la adecuada codificación de la desnutrición es capaz de aumentar el índice case-mix y si este aumento es dependiente de la documentación del mismo por un médico especialista, el tipo de proceso o el servicio de ingreso. Resultados: en una serie aleatorizada de 100 pacientes, la documentación de desnutrición y procesos asociados por parte de un médico especialista en Endocrinología y Nutrición produjo un aumento de 0,68 puntos en el índice case-mix (IC95: 0,48-0,88). El impacto fue mayor en procesos médicos que en quirúrgicos (0,42 puntos [IC95: 0,03-0,81]). Por servicios, el impacto fue positivo en Medicina Interna y Cirugía General. El tamaño muestral para el cálculo del resto de servicios no alcanzó tamaño muestral suficiente. Conclusión: el aumento de recursos humanos (médicos especialistas en Endocrinología y Nutrición) es viable en términos de gestión por el aumento del índice case-mix dependiente de su presencia en un contexto de práctica clínica habitual, no de investigación.

Impacto de la adecuada codificación de la desnutrición y procesos asociados sobre el índice case-mix en patologías médicas y quirúrgicas / Impact of adequate coding of undernutrition and nutritional procedures on case-mix index in medical and surgical pathologies

Introducción: la clasificación por procesos según el sistema de los grupos relacionados con el diagnóstico permite clasificar los diferentes procesos acorde a un consumo de recursos equivalentes. La complejidad de los procesos según el índice case-mix permite solicitar un mayor o menor presupuesto para la atención de los pacientes. La desnutrición tiene capacidad para aumentar el índice case-mix si bien en muchos casos este diagnóstico y el de los procesos nutricionales no se realizan de forma adecuada. Objetivo: determinar si la adecuada codificación de la desnutrición es capaz de aumentar el índice case-mix y si este aumento es dependiente de la documentación del mismo por un médico especialista, el tipo de proceso o el servicio de ingreso. Resultados: en una serie aleatorizada de 100 pacientes, la documentación de desnutrición y procesos asociados por parte de un médico especialista en Endocrinología y Nutrición produjo un aumento de 0,68 puntos en el índice case-mix (IC95: 0,48-0,88). El impacto fue mayor en procesos médicos que en quirúrgicos (0,42 puntos [IC95:0,03-0,81]). Por servicios, el impacto fue positivo en Medicina Interna y Cirugía General. El tamaño muestral para el cálculo del resto de servicios no alcanzó tamaño muestral suficiente. Conclusión: el aumento de recursos humanos (médicos especialistas en Endocrinología y Nutrición) es viable en términos de gestión por el aumento del índice case-mix dependiente de su presencia en un contexto de práctica clínica habitual, no de investigación (AU)

Introduction: Group-related diagnosis classification system allows ordering medical and surgical procedures following a similar expenditure of economical resources. Complexity of procedures according to the case-mix index permits asking for a minor o major economical reimbursement of the expenditure in patients’ attention. Undernutrition documentation can increase case-mix index, but it is barely detected and documented. Aim: Determine if proper documentation of undernutrition is able to enhance the case-mix index and establish if it is dependent on documentation by a specialist on clinical nutrition, the type of procedure or the service where the patient is admitted. Results: In a randomized simple of 100 procedures, documentation of undernutrition and nutritional support procedures by a specialist in Clinical Nutrition increased the case-mix index in 0.68 points (IC95:0.48-0.88). Impact of documentation was higher on medical than surgical procedures (0.42 points [IC95: 0.03-0.81]). Impact was also positive on patients admitted at general surgery and internal medicine. Sample size for other services was not high enough to establish differences. Conclusion: Investment on human resources (specialists in Clinical Nutrition) is feasible in terms of economic management due to the increase of the case-mix index dependent on specialist’s documentation in a real clinical practice, not in a research environment (AU)

Diferencias en estándares de calidad a la hora de pautar un soporte nutricional: diferencias entre médicos especialistas y no especialistas / Differences in quality standars when prescribing nutritional support: Differences between specialist and non-specialist physicians

Un adecuado plan de soporte nutricional conlleva numerosos aspectos, si bien, la falta de adecuado conocimiento en nutrición clínica de los trabajadores sanitarios en general hace que su prescripción no sea adecuada. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio de concordancia comparando soportes nutricionales enterales y parenterales en un mismo individuo con una misma situación de estrés por parte de médicos especialistas en endocrinología y nutrición y médicos no especialistas. Resultados: Los datos antropométricos fueron registrados en un 13,3% de los pacientes por médicos no especialistas, que no realizaron ningún tipo de valoración del estado nutricional previo al inicio del soporte nutricional. El aporte proteico de médicos no especialistas fue inferior a lo estimado según ESPEN (10,29 g de nitrógeno vs 14,62; p < 0,001), no así en el caso de médicos especialistas (14,88 g de nitrógeno; p = 0,072). Los aportes calóricos y de glutamina pautados por especialistas se asemejaron más a lo establecido en las guías de forma estadísticamente significativa, al igual que los controles analíticos realizados. Conclusión: Los soportes nutricionales pautados por los médicos especialistas en endocrinología y nutrición en el Hospital San Pedro de Alcántara se asemejan más a los estándares de las guías de práctica clínica, y son superiores en cuanto a estándares de calidad y cuidado adecuado de los pacientes respecto a los pautados por los médicos no especialistas (AU)

Adequate nutritional support includes many different aspects, but poor understanding of clinical nutrition by health care professionales often results in an inadequate prescription. Material and methods: A study was conducted to compare enteral and parenteral nutritional support plans prescribed by specialist and non-specialist physicians. Results: Non-specialist physicians recorded anthropometric data from only 13.3% of patients, and none of them performed nutritional assessments. Protein amounts provided by non-specialist physicians were lower than estimated based on ESPEN (10.29 g of nitrogen vs 14.62; P < .001). Differences were not statistically significant in the specialist group (14.88 g of nitrogen; P = .072). Calorie and glutamine provision and laboratory controls prescribed by specialists were significantly closer to those recommended by clinical guidelines. Conclusion: Nutritional support prescribed by specialists in endocrinology and nutrition at San Pedro de Alcántara Hospital was closer to clinical practice guideline standards and of higher quality as compared to that prescribed by non-specialists (AU)

Differences in quality standards when prescribing nutritional support: Differences between specialist and non-specialist physicians.

UNLABELLED: Adequate nutritional support includes many different aspects, but poor understanding of clinical nutrition by health care professionales often results in an inadequate prescription. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A study was conducted to compare enteral and parenteral nutritional support plans prescribed by specialist and non-specialist physicians. RESULTS: Non-specialist physicians recorded anthropometric data from only 13.3% of patients, and none of them performed nutritional assessments. Protein amounts provided by non-specialist physicians were lower than estimated based on ESPEN (10.29g of nitrogen vs 14.62; P<.001). Differences were not statistically significant in the specialist group (14.88g of nitrogen; P=.072). Calorie and glutamine provision and laboratory controls prescribed by specialists were significantly closer to those recommended by clinical guidelines. CONCLUSION: Nutritional support prescribed by specialists in endocrinology and nutrition at San Pedro de Alcántara Hospital was closer to clinical practice guideline standards and of higher quality as compared to that prescribed by non-specialists.

Efficiency, cost-effectiveness and need of inversion in nutritional therapy. Importance of detecting and documenting undernutrition.

Disease Related Malnutrition (DRM) is highly prevalent in Spanish hospitals. WHO estimates that 20-40% of health-associated expenses are lost due to inefficiency. Demonstration that DRM is a component of inefficiency and hiring a specialist physician for its detection and treatment is cost-effective. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Comparison between nutritional diagnosis and procedures detected and encoded at discharge using McNemar test. Recoding of 162 discharge reports including nutritional diagnoses and procedures. Determine changes on Case-Mix Index (IC), cost of procedure and cost procedure/DRG index. Comparison using T-student paired test. RESULTS: Only 10 of 162 diagnoses of malnutrition were coded in delivery statements (p < 0.001). After right codification, IC increased in 103,3 DRG points (p < 0.001). Consequently, procedure cost/DRG index was reduced in 978.81 € (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: DRM is underdiagnosed in our hospital. DRM and nutritional procedures detection by a doctor specialist in clinical nutrition led to a reduction in cost procedure/DRG index of 16.8% of officially established by the Health System. Loss of 16.8% of health expenses, estimated in 424.785,15 € was described. Proper codification would have justified 343.291,2 € reimbursement just for nutritional diagnoses and processes. Both expenses were lost due to system's inefficiency. Those amounts are much higher than cost associated of hiring a specialist in clinical nutrition.

Glutamina: su papel en el paciente crítico / Glutamine: the role in critically ill patients

La glutamina es un aminoácido condicionalmente esencial considerado actualmente como un importante fármaco-nutriente. Niveles plasmáticos bajos de glutamina han demostrado comportarse como un factor independiente de mortalidad en el paciente crítico, y su adición al soporte nutricional ha probado disminuir las complicaciones infecciosas, la mortalidad y la estancia hospitalaria. En los últimos años han aparecido nuevos estudios que indicanla necesidad de individualizar la vía de acceso y la dosis y el período de suplementación para determinados grupos de pacientes candidatos a la suplementación con glutamina, y por otra parte, a tenor de los resultados, es aconsejable evitarla en situaciones deshock hipovolémico inestable, fallo multiorgánico o insu¬ciência renal no sometida a técnicas de depuración.

Glutamine is a conditionally essential aminoacid which is nowadays considered an important pharmaco nutrient. Low serum levels of glutamine have proven to be an independent predictor of mortality in the critically ill patient. Supplementation with glutamine as a part of a nutritional therapy has demonstrated to reduce infectious complications, length of stay in hospital and mortality. Recent new published data show the need to individualize the route, dose, length of supplementation for determined groups of candidate patients to glutamine administration. On the other hand, according to results, glutamine is not recommended in case of unstable hypovolemic shock, multiorgan faillure, or renal failure not subjected to depuration techniques.