Ultrasound Cut-Off Values for Rectus Femoris for Detecting Sarcopenia in Patients with Nutritional Risk.

BACKGROUND: A nationwide, prospective, multicenter, cohort study (the Disease-Related caloric-protein malnutrition EChOgraphy (DRECO) study) was designed to assess the usefulness of ultrasound of the rectus femoris for detecting sarcopenia in hospitalized patients at risk of malnutrition and to define cut-off values of ultrasound measures. METHODS: Patients at risk of malnutrition according to the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) underwent handgrip dynamometry, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), a Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and rectus femoris ultrasound studies. European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) criteria were used to define categories of sarcopenia (at risk, probable, confirmed, severe). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC) analyses were used to determine the optimal diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of cut-off points of the ultrasound measures for the detection of risk of sarcopenia and probable, confirmed, and severe sarcopenia. RESULTS: A total of 1000 subjects were included and 991 of them (58.9% men, mean age 58.5 years) were evaluated. Risk of sarcopenia was detected in 9.6% patients, probable sarcopenia in 14%, confirmed sarcopenia in 9.7%, and severe sarcopenia in 3.9%, with significant differences in the distribution of groups between men and women (p < 0.0001). The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the rectus femoris showed a significantly positive correlation with body cell mass of BIA and handgrip strength, and a significant negative correlation with TUG. Cut-off values were similar within each category of sarcopenia, ranging between 2.40 cm2 and 3.66 cm2 for CSA, 32.57 mm and 40.21 mm for the X-axis, and 7.85 mm and 10.4 mm for the Y-axis. In general, these cut-off values showed high sensitivities, particularly for the categories of confirmed and severe sarcopenia, with male patients also showing better sensitivities than women. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia in hospitalized patients at risk of malnutrition was high. Cut-off values for the better sensitivities and specificities of ultrasound measures of the rectus femoris are established. The use of ultrasound of the rectus femoris could be used for the prediction of sarcopenia and be useful to integrate nutritional study into real clinical practice.

[Nutritional approach in systemic sclerosis: report of a case]. / Abordaje nutricional en esclerodermia: a propósito de un caso.

INTRODUCTION: Background: systemic sclerosis is a rare systemic acquired disease with a complex pathogenesis which compromises multiple organs. The nutritional approach to treat patients with this disease is not clearly stablished due to its low prevalence. Case report: we present the case of a 37-year-old woman diagnosed with systemic sclerosis with gastrointestinal compromise, 40% weight loss since diagnosis and severe anemia. Despite oral supplementation, placement of a gastrostomy feeding tube and medical therapy with octreotide, her nutritional requirements are not achieved, so we suggest home parenteral nutrition to complete the nutritional support. Discussion: the severe intestinal affection in this patient made it necessary to turn to the parenteral access because of the oral intolerance secondary to the intestinal pseudo-obstruction. In these cases, the lack of etiological treatment makes home parenteral nutrition play an important role in the nutritional approach.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: la esclerodermia es una enfermedad sistémica adquirida poco frecuente, con una patogenia compleja que compromete a numerosos órganos. El abordaje nutricional no está claramente establecido debido a su baja prevalencia. Caso clínico: presentamos el caso de una mujer de 37 años diagnosticada de esclerodermia difusa con amplia afectación gastrointestinal, pérdida de 40% de peso desde el diagnóstico y anemia grave. A pesar de la toma de suplementos orales, la nutrición a través de gastrostomía y el uso de octreótide, no se alcanzan los requerimientos nutricionales, por lo que se plantea el uso de nutrición parenteral domiciliaria junto al resto de tratamientos. Discusión: esta paciente, la progresión de la afectación digestiva debida a la esclerodermia hizo necesario recurrir al aporte parenteral debido a la intolerancia oral a causa de la pseudooclusión intestinal. En estos casos, la ausencia de tratamiento etiológico hace que la nutrición parenteral domiciliaria juegue un papel importante en el soporte nutricional.