Application of machine learning algorithms in classifying postoperative success in metabolic bariatric surgery: Acomprehensive study.

Objectives: Metabolic bariatric surgery is a critical intervention for patients living with obesity and related health issues. Accurate classification and prediction of patient outcomes are vital for optimizing treatment strategies. This study presents a novel machine learning approach to classify patients in the context of metabolic bariatric surgery, providing insights into the efficacy of different models and variable types. Methods: Various machine learning models, including Gaussian Naive Bayes, Complement Naive Bayes, K-nearest neighbour, Decision Tree, K-nearest neighbour with RandomOverSampler, and K-nearest neighbour with SMOTE, were applied to a dataset of 73 patients. The dataset, comprising psychometric, socioeconomic, and analytical variables, was analyzed to determine the most efficient predictive model. The study also explored the impact of different variable groupings and oversampling techniques. Results: Experimental results indicate average accuracy values as high as 66.7% for the best model. Enhanced versions of K-nearest neighbour and Decision Tree, along with variations of K-nearest neighbour such as RandomOverSampler and SMOTE, yielded the best results. Conclusions: The study unveils a promising avenue for classifying patients in the realm of metabolic bariatric surgery. The results underscore the importance of selecting appropriate variables and employing diverse approaches to achieve optimal performance. The developed system holds potential as a tool to assist healthcare professionals in decision-making, thereby enhancing metabolic bariatric surgery outcomes. These findings lay the groundwork for future collaboration between hospitals and healthcare entities to improve patient care through the utilization of machine learning algorithms. Moreover, the findings suggest room for improvement, potentially achievable with a larger dataset and careful parameter tuning.

Prevalence of sarcopenic obesity according to different diagnostic methods and cut-off points in candidates for bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is defined as a combination of low strength and muscle mass along with excess adiposity. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in candidates for bariatric surgery, according to ESPEN/EASO criteria using bioimpedance analysis (BIA) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). METHODS: Retrospective study of adult patients (18-60 years) candidates for bariatric surgery (BMI ≥40 kg/m2 or ≥35 kg/m2 with associated complications). Adiposity was assessed by the percentage of fat mass by DXA, according to Gallagher's cut-off points. Muscle strength was measured by hand grip according to Sánchez-Torralvo, Dodds, and <-2SD cut-off points of healthy reference population. Muscle mass was determined by DXA (ALM/weight according to Batsis) and by BIA (SMM/weight according to Janssen and according to reference population). In addition, the agreement of the different diagnostic methods of sarcopenic obesity was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 124 subjects were included in the study, with 71.8 % being women. The overall mean age was 42.6 (SD 8.9) years. SO prevalence was found to be 13 %-22 % applying BIA with the SMM/weight equation according to Janssen, 14 %-23 % utilizing BIA with the SMM/weight equation according to the reference population, and 13 %-23 % employing DXA with the ALM/weight equation following Batsis criteria, depending on the specific hand grip strength cut-off points used. In general, we found good or very good concordances with the different diagnostic methods (with kappa values between 0.6 and 0.97). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of SO according to ESPEN/EASO criteria in candidates for bariatric surgery was 13 %-23 % based on the diagnostic method and cut-off points used.

ESPEN practical guideline: Nutritional support for polymorbid medical inpatients.

BACKGROUND: Disease-related malnutrition in polymorbid medical inpatients is a highly prevalent syndrome associated with significantly increased morbidity, disability, short- and long-term mortality, impaired recovery from illness, and healthcare costs. AIM: As there are uncertainties in applying disease-specific guidelines to patients with multiple conditions, our aim was to provide evidence-based recommendations on nutritional support for the polymorbid patient population hospitalized in medical wards. METHODS: The 2023 update adheres to the standard operating procedures for ESPEN guidelines. We undertook a systematic literature search for 15 clinical questions in three different databases (Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library), as well as in secondary sources (e.g., published guidelines), until July 12th, 2022. Retrieved abstracts were screened to identify relevant studies that were used to develop recommendations (including SIGN grading), which was followed by submission to Delphi voting. Here, the practical version of the guideline is presented which has been shortened and equipped with flow charts for patients care. RESULTS: 32 recommendations (7× A, 11× B, 10× O and 4× GPP), which encompass different aspects of nutritional support were included from the scientific guideline including indication, route of feeding, energy and protein requirements, micronutrient requirements, disease-specific nutrients, timing, monitoring and procedure of intervention. Here, the practical version of the guideline is presented which has been shortened and equipped with flow charts for patients care. CONCLUSIONS: Recent high-quality trials have provided increasing evidence that nutritional support can reduce morbidity and other complications associated with malnutrition in polymorbid patients. The timely screening of patients for risk of malnutrition at hospital admission followed by individualized nutritional support interventions for at-risk patients should be part of routine clinical care and multimodal treatment in hospitals worldwide. Use of this updated practical guideline offers an evidence-based nutritional approach to polymorbid medical inpatients and may improve their outcomes.

Guidance for assessment of the inflammation etiologic criterion for the GLIM diagnosis of malnutrition: A modified Delphi approach.

BACKGROUND: The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) approach to malnutrition diagnosis is based on assessment of three phenotypic (weight loss, low body mass index, and reduced skeletal muscle mass) and two etiologic (reduced food intake/assimilation and disease burden/inflammation) criteria, with diagnosis confirmed by fulfillment of any combination of at least one phenotypic and at least one etiologic criterion. The original GLIM description provided limited guidance regarding assessment of inflammation, and this has been a factor impeding further implementation of the GLIM criteria. We now seek to provide practical guidance for assessment of inflammation. METHODS: A GLIM-constituted working group with 36 participants developed consensus-based guidance through a modified Delphi review. A multiround review and revision process served to develop seven guidance statements. RESULTS: The final round of review was highly favorable, with 99% overall "agree" or "strongly agree" responses. The presence of acute or chronic disease, infection, or injury that is usually associated with inflammatory activity may be used to fulfill the GLIM disease burden/inflammation criterion, without the need for laboratory confirmation. However, we recommend that recognition of underlying medical conditions commonly associated with inflammation be supported by C-reactive protein (CRP) measurements when the contribution of inflammatory components is uncertain. Interpretation of CRP requires that consideration be given to the method, reference values, and units (milligrams per deciliter or milligram per liter) for the clinical laboratory that is being used. CONCLUSION: Confirmation of inflammation should be guided by clinical judgment based on underlying diagnosis or condition, clinical signs, or CRP.

Sex disparities in parenteral and enteral nutrition societies' leadership worldwide: a 20-year retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Despite advancements in the global dialog surrounding sex and gender equity, an important gap persists with women markedly underrepresented in major roles within health care leadership. OBJECTIVES: We examined the extent of women's representation in prominent positions within parenteral and enteral nutrition (PEN) societies worldwide over a span of 2 decades. DESIGN: This retrospective analysis explored the sex distribution of society chairs, conference presidents, and editor-in-chief positions across 64 PEN societies between 2003 and 2022. Additionally, data on the first and last authors of endorsed clinical guidelines were collected from the 2 leading societies. RESULTS: Over the past 20 y, women held society chair positions in 34.4% of cases. The representation shifted from 30% during the decade from 2003 to 2012 to 40.5% from 2013 to 2022. Throughout these years, the numbers consistently ranged from 0 to 10; however, the median shifted upward from 1 during the first decade to 4 in the subsequent decade (P = 0.04). Of 420 congress presidencies, ∼30% were women. In endorsed guidelines, women were the first authors in 27.1% of cases (P < 0.001) and the last in 28.9% (P < 0.001) compared with men. Of the 123 journal editor-in-chief positions, women occupied 23 (18.7%). CONCLUSION: Over the last 2 decades, women have been consistently underrepresented in prominent leadership roles in PEN societies globally. Although there has been a noticeable shift toward more women in chair positions, true sex equality remains elusive. Moreover, sex disparities are even more pronounced in positions, such as conference presidents, authors of major guidelines, and editors-in-chief of society-affiliated journals. These data underscore the pressing need to enhance efforts toward sex equality across these domains.

Micronutrients in Pregnancy after Bariatric Surgery: A Narrative Review.

Bariatric surgery is increasingly used in women of childbearing age due to the rising prevalence of obesity and the effectiveness and availability of this treatment. Pregnancy in women with previous bariatric surgery deserves special attention. Weight loss induced by surgery reduces the risks that obesity poses to pregnancy. But on the other hand, decreased intake and malabsorption may increase the risk of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiency and negatively affect maternal and foetal health. The aim of this narrative review is to provide an updated analysis of the impact of different bariatric surgery techniques on mineral and micronutrient nutritional status during pregnancy and the possible effect on maternal-foetal health.

ESPEN guideline on nutritional support for polymorbid medical inpatients.

BACKGROUND: Disease-related malnutrition in polymorbid medical inpatients is a highly prevalent syndrome associated with significantly increased morbidity, disability, short- and long-term mortality, impaired recovery from illness, and cost of care. AIM: As there are uncertainties in applying disease-specific guidelines to patients with multiple conditions, our aim was to provide evidence-based recommendations on nutritional support for the polymorbid patient population hospitalized in medical wards. METHODS: This update adheres to the standard operating procedures for ESPEN guidelines. We did a systematic literature search for 15 clinical questions in three different databases (Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library), as well as in secondary sources (e.g. published guidelines), until July 12th. Retrieved abstracts were screened to identify relevant studies that were used to develop recommendations (incl. SIGN grading), which was followed by submission to Delphi voting. RESULTS: From a total of 3527 retrieved abstracts, 60 new relevant studies were analyzed and used to generate a guideline draft that proposed 32 recommendations (7x A, 11x B, 10x O and 4x GPP), which encompass different aspects of nutritional support including indication, route of feeding, energy and protein requirements, micronutrient requirements, disease-specific nutrients, timing, monitoring and procedure of intervention. The results of the first online voting showed a strong consensus (agreement of >90%) on 100% of the recommendations. Therefore, no final consensus conference was needed. CONCLUSIONS: Recent high-quality trials have provided increasing evidence that nutritional support can reduce morbidity and other complications associated with malnutrition in polymorbid patients. The timely screening of patients for risk of malnutrition at hospital admission followed by individualized nutritional support interventions for at-risk patients should be part of routine clinical care and multimodal treatment in hospitals worldwide. Use of this updated guideline offers an evidence-based nutritional approach to the polymorbid medical inpatients and may improve their outcomes.

Nutritional ultrasound®: Conceptualisation, technical considerations and standardisation.

Nutritional ultrasound® is a new concept that uses ultrasound to assess body composition. It is composed of the evaluation of fat-free mass and fat mass. It is an emerging, economical, portable, non-invasive technique that evaluates the musculoskeletal area with linear, broadband, multifrequency probes, with a depth field of 20-100mm. It quantifies muscle modifications in malnutrition and provides information on functional changes (echogenicity). Although there are no validated specific cut-off points, the anterior rectum area of the quadriceps can be used as a criterion for malnutrition. The distribution of adipose tissue provides information on the energy reserve and the inflammatory pattern. It is important to integrate nutritional ultrasound® measures in clinical practice adapted to different settings and pathologies. It is necessary to establish training plans in nutritional ultrasound® for use by Endocrinology and Nutrition Specialists, with the aim of improving the diagnosis and treatment of their patients.

Is Food Tolerance Different After Bariatric Surgery Depending on the Surgical Procedure?

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery (BS) is a very effective treatment regarding body weight loss but might affect food tolerance and energy and protein intake. The aim of this study was to compare three BS techniques (biliopancreactic diversion (BPD), gastric bypass (GB), and sleeve gastrectomy (SG)) and their effect on food tolerance. METHODS: Prospective study conducted between April 2016 and April 2019. Visits included were 1 before and 6, 12, and 24 months after BS. Food tolerance test (FTT), 24-h recall, and bioelectrical impedance (TANITA MC780) were performed at all visits. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients were included (74.2% women). FTT showed a better self-perception of the intake after surgery in BPD at 6 months (p = 0.013), and at 12 months (p = 0.006). BPD had a better tolerance of 8 food groups at 6 months (red meat p = 0.017, white meat p = 0.026, salad p = 0.017, bread p < 0.001, rice p = 0.047, pasta p = 0.014, fish p = 0.027) and at 12 months, but only red meat (p = 0.002), bread (p < 0.001), rice (p = 0.025), and pasta (p = 0.025) remained statistically different. Twenty-four months after surgery, only the red meat food group (p = 0.007) showed differences. BPD had the lowest incidence of vomiting at 6 months (p < 0.001), 12 months (p = 0.008), and 24 months (p = 0.002). The total score of FTT was better in BPD at 6 months [25.6 (SD 1.5), p < 0.001], 12 months [25.6 (SD 2.4), p < 0.001], and 24 months [25.7 (SD 1.3), p = 0.001]. BPD showed the best intake in energy and proteins at 6 months [1214.8 (SD 342.4) kcal and 67.1 (SD 18.4) g] and 12 months [1199.6 (SD 289.7) kcal and 73.5 (SD 24.3) g]. % FML was higher in GB both at 6 and 12 months being statistically different (p < 0.050). CONCLUSION: Biliopancreatic diversion appears to be the technique with a better food tolerance and protein and energy intake in the first year of follow-up after BS.

Sarcopenic obesity research perspectives outlined by the sarcopenic obesity global leadership initiative (SOGLI) - Proceedings from the SOGLI consortium meeting in rome November 2022.

The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) and the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) launched the Sarcopenic Obesity Global Leadership Initiative (SOGLI) to reach expert consensus on a definition and diagnostic criteria for Sarcopenic Obesity (SO). The present paper describes the proceeding of the Sarcopenic Obesity Global Leadership Initiative (SOGLI) meeting that was held on November 25th and 26th, 2022 in Rome, Italy. This consortium involved the participation of 50 researchers from different geographic regions and countries. The document outlines an agenda advocated by the SOGLI expert panel regarding the pathophysiology, screening, diagnosis, staging and treatment of SO that needs to be prioritized for future research in the field.

Expert Consensus on Morphofunctional Assessment in Disease-Related Malnutrition. Grade Review and Delphi Study.

Disease-related malnutrition (DRM) affects approximately a third of hospitalized patients and is associated with an increased risk of morbimortality. However, DRM is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Our aim is to evaluate the prognostic value of morphofunctional tools and tests for nutritional assessment in clinical practice. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify studies relating to the morphofunctional assessment of nutritional status and mortality or complications. Evidence was evaluated using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) method. Twelve GRADE recommendations were made and divided into seven topics: food intake and nutrient assimilation, anthropometry, biochemical analysis, hand grip strength, phase angle, muscle imaging, and functional status and quality of life. From these recommendations, 37 statements were developed and scored in a two-survey Delphi method by 183 experts. A consensus was reached on accepting 26/37 statements. Surveys had high internal consistency and high inter-rater reliability. In conclusion, evidence-based recommendations were made on the prognostic value of morphofunctional assessment tools and tests to assess malnutrition, most of which were found to be feasible in routine clinical practice, according to expert opinions.

Valoración de la baja masa y fuerza muscular en una población de control / Assessment of low muscle mass and strength in a control population

Introducción y objetivos: la baja masa muscular (BMM) condiciona el estado nutricional de un individuo y tiene implicaciones en la calidad y el pronóstico de vida. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la composición corporal y determinar los valores de normalidad en el diagnóstico de BMM en un grupo de control de individuos sanos. Material y método: estudio transversal de voluntarios sanos con edades entre 18 y 45 años, con un índice de masa corporal (IMC) < 30 kg/m2. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo incluyendo variables demográficas, clínicas, antropométricas y de composición corporal (mediante bioimpedancia, TANITA MC 780 MA; TANITA, Tokio, Japón), con estratificación por edad, sexo e IMC. Se determinaron los valores correspondientes a -1/-2 desviaciones estándar (DE) para considerar una baja masa/función muscular. Resultados: se incluyeron 67 pacientes, el 71,60 % mujeres, con una mediana de edad de 28,29 (RIC: 4,05) años. Los varones presentan mayor peso, IMC, masa libre de grasa (MLG), masa muscular (MM), masa muscular apendicular (MMA), índice de masa muscular apendicular (IMMA) y dinamometría con respecto a las mujeres. Se determinaron los valores de -1/-2 DE de los distintos parámetros musculares en función del sexo. Conclusiones: este estudio determina los valores normales de BMM en una población sana y joven de nuestro medio, y los índices más empleados para expresarla, lo que permitirá diagnosticar la BMM en situaciones patológicas empleando el valor correspondiente a -2 DE. (AU)

Background and aims: low muscle mass (LMM) conditions the nutritional status of an individual and has implications for quality of life and prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate body composition and determine normal values in the diagnosis of LMM in a control group of healthy individuals. Methods: a cross-sectional study of healthy volunteers aged 18 to 45 years with body mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m2, from January 2021 to October 2021. A descriptive study was performed including demographic, clinical, anthropometric, and body composition variables (by bioimpedance, TANITA MC 780 MA; TANITA, Tokyo, Japan), stratified by age, sex and BMI. Values corresponding to -1/-2 standard deviations (SD) were determined to consider low muscle mass/function. Results: we included 67 patients, 71,60 % women, with a median age of 28.29 (IQR 4.05) years. Males presented higher weight, BMI, fat-free mass (FFM), muscle mass (MM), appendicular lean mass (ALM), appendicular lean mass index (ALMI), and dynamometry values when compared to females. The -1/-2 SD values of the various muscle parameters were determined according to sex. Conclusion: this study determined normal LMM values in healthy and young people, and the most commonly used indexes to express it, which will allow the diagnosis of LMM in disease-related situations using the corresponding -2 DS value. (AU)

[Assessment of low muscle mass and strength in a control population]. / Valoración de la baja masa y fuerza muscular en una población de control.

Introduction: Background and aims: low muscle mass (LMM) conditions the nutritional status of an individual and has implications for quality of life and prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate body composition and determine normal values in the diagnosis of LMM in a control group of healthy individuals. Methods: a cross-sectional study of healthy volunteers aged 18 to 45 years with body mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m2. A descriptive study was performed including demographic, clinical, anthropometric, and body composition variables (by bioimpedance, TANITA MC 780 MA; TANITA, Tokyo, Japan), stratified by age, sex and BMI. Values corresponding to -1/-2 standard deviations (SD) were determined to consider low muscle mass/function. Results: we included 67 patients, 71,60 % women, with a median age of 28.29 (IQR 4.05) years. Males presented higher weight, BMI, fat-free mass (FFM), muscle mass (MM), appendicular lean mass (ALM), appendicular lean mass index (ALMI), and dynamometry values when compared to females. The -1/-2 SD values of the various muscle parameters were determined according to sex. Conclusion: this study determined normal LMM values in healthy and young people, and the most commonly used indexes to express it, which will allow the diagnosis of LMM in disease-related situations using the corresponding -2 DS value.

Introducción: Introducción y objetivos: la baja masa muscular (BMM) condiciona el estado nutricional de un individuo y tiene implicaciones en la calidad y el pronóstico de vida. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la composición corporal y determinar los valores de normalidad en el diagnóstico de BMM en un grupo de control de individuos sanos. Material y método: estudio transversal de voluntarios sanos con edades entre 18 y 45 años, con un índice de masa corporal (IMC) < 30 kg/m2. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo incluyendo variables demográficas, clínicas, antropométricas y de composición corporal (mediante bioimpedancia, TANITA MC 780 MA; TANITA, Tokio, Japón), con estratificación por edad, sexo e IMC. Se determinaron los valores correspondientes a -1/-2 desviaciones estándar (DE) para considerar una baja masa/función muscular. Resultados: se incluyeron 67 pacientes, el 71,60 % mujeres, con una mediana de edad de 28,29 (RIC: 4,05) años. Los varones presentan mayor peso, IMC, masa libre de grasa (MLG), masa muscular (MM), masa muscular apendicular (MMA), índice de masa muscular apendicular (IMMA) y dinamometría con respecto a las mujeres. Se determinaron los valores de -1/-2 DE de los distintos parámetros musculares en función del sexo. Conclusiones: este estudio determina los valores normales de BMM en una población sana y joven de nuestro medio, y los índices más empleados para expresarla, lo que permitirá diagnosticar la BMM en situaciones patológicas empleando el valor correspondiente a -2 DE.

Perception of training and job perspectives among final-year residents in the specialty of Endocrinology and Nutrition.

INTRODUCTION: The medical specialisation model in Spain is carried out in the context of specialised health training, through the residency programme. The aim of the study is to analyse, by an anonymous survey, the opinion on three aspects among final-year residents in Endocrinology and Nutrition (E&N): self-assessment of the knowledge acquired, working prospects, care and training consequences arising from the pandemic COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study using a voluntary and anonymous online survey, shared among final-year national interns in the last year of the E&N programme, carried out between June-July 2021. RESULTS: 51 responses were obtained, 66% of the fourth-year residents. Overall perception of their knowledge was 7.8 out of 10. Most external rotations were in thyroid and nutrition areas. A total of 96.1% residents, carried out some activity associated with COVID-19, with a training deterioration of 6.9 out of 10. 88.2% cancelled their rotations and 74.5% extended their working schedule. The average negative emotional impact was 7.3 out of 10. 80.4% would like to continue in their training hospital, remaining 45.1%. 56.7% have an employment contract of less than 6 months, most of them practising Endocrinology. CONCLUSION: The perception of the knowledge acquired during the training period is a "B". Residents consider that the pandemic has led to a worsening of their training, generating a negative emotional impact. Employment outlook after completing the residency can be summarised as: temporality, practice of Endocrinology and interhospital mobility.

Increased incidence of Graves' disease during the SARS-CoV2 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 has a wide spectrum of clinical severity and there is evidence that SARS-Cov2 affects several organs and systems. Among the organs affected since the beginning of the pandemic, the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and thyroid involvement has been demonstrated. Novel and highly effective messenger RNA and DNA-based vaccines have been rapidly developed to decrease SARS-CoV-2 morbidity and mortality. Early after mass vaccinations, cases of thyroid dysfunction mainly including episodes of subacute thyroiditis, began to be reported like adverse effects. The objective of this study is to determine the impact of the pandemic, both due to SARS-CoV2 infections and vaccinations, on the incidence of Graves' disease (GD). METHODS: Cross-sectional, observational study comparing incidence of GD in adult population (over 18 years) before (2017-2019) and after (2020-2021) Covid-19 pandemic. Only patients with new cases of GD, no relapsed diseases, were included. SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis was based on nucleic acid amplification tests on nasopharyngeal swabs or measurement of class M and class G antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 by highly specific assays. Data on incidence and vaccination related to SARS-CoV-2 infection were obtained from the public records from Castilla y León autonomous regional government. RESULTS: A total of 180 subjects were diagnosed and treated for GD during the study period. We observed a notable increase in expected GD cases in 2021 compared to 2017-19. The number of GD cases was higher in the second (Q2) quarter. Among 2021 GD cases, 42/66 patients (63.6%) had been vaccinated in the 90 days before symptom onset, but none of them in the first quarter of the year. A total of 97.7% were women with a mean age of 48.9 (SD 15.6) years. On average they were diagnosed 19.9 (SD 17.6) days after receiving the vaccine. A total of 7/42 (16.67%) had another previously diagnosed autoimmune disease and 11/42 (26.19%) were smokers. DISCUSSION: Our results show a notable increase in the incidence of GD during the year 2021, specially in women with a history of smoking. Hyper activation of the immune system induced by SARS-CoV2 and by the recently released SARS-COV-2 vaccines has been highlighted in recent months. To assess whether this observed increase in the incidence of GD is sustained in the coming years or has simply been a precipitous trigger for individuals who were already predisposed to develop the disease, future studies will be needed.

Guidance for assessment of the inflammation etiologic criterion for the GLIM diagnosis of malnutrition: A modified Delphi approach.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) approach to malnutrition diagnosis is based on assessment of three phenotypic (weight loss, low body mass index, and reduced skeletal muscle mass) and two etiologic (reduced food intake/assimilation and disease burden/inflammation) criteria, with diagnosis confirmed by fulfillment of any combination of at least one phenotypic and at least one etiologic criterion. The original GLIM description provided limited guidance regarding assessment of inflammation and this has been a factor impeding further implementation of the GLIM criteria. We now seek to provide practical guidance for assessment of inflammation in support of the etiologic criterion for inflammation. METHODS: A GLIM-constituted working group with 36 participants developed consensus-based guidance through a modified-Delphi review. A multi-round review and revision process served to develop seven guidance statements. RESULTS: The final round of review was highly favorable with 99 % overall "agree" or "strongly agree" responses. The presence of acute or chronic disease, infection or injury that is usually associated with inflammatory activity may be used to fulfill the GLIM disease burden/inflammation criterion, without the need for laboratory confirmation. However, we recommend that recognition of underlying medical conditions commonly associated with inflammation be supported by C-reactive protein (CRP) measurements when the contribution of inflammatory components is uncertain. Interpretation of CRP requires that consideration be given to the method, reference values, and units (mg/dL or mg/L) for the clinical laboratory that is being used. CONCLUSION: Confirmation of inflammation should be guided by clinical judgement based upon underlying diagnosis or condition, clinical signs, or CRP.

Continuity of care in disease-related malnutrition and nutritional medical treatment.

Disease-related malnutrition (DRM) continues to be a very significant healthcare problem, both in our hospitals and in the community. It is often not properly diagnosed or treated, despite a growing body of evidence highlighting its clinical and economic consequences. The transition between clinical care in the hospital and community services (Primary Care (PC) and Nursing Homes) is a key element in the prevention, detection and treatment of DRM. In October 2020, the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN) and the main societies of PC physicians in our country (SEMERGEN, SEMFYC and SEMG) met for the first time within the virtual NutriSEEN forum. From that moment on, a joint working group was created for this issue. This document tries to establish joint lines of work between the Clinical Nutrition and Dietetic Units (UNCyD) and the Primary Care teams to improve the detection and treatment of DRM. The clinical consequences and costs associated with DRE, nutritional risk screening, assessment and medical nutritional treatment are considered in a coordinated way between the PC teams and the UNCyD, as well as future proposals to improve the management of DRM.

Executive summary of the position paper on the use of enteral nutrition in advanced dementia.

Dementia is an increasingly prevalent disease in our environment, with significant health and social repercussions. Despite the available scientific evidence, there is still controversy regarding the use of enteral tube nutrition in people with advanced dementia. This document aims to reflect on the key aspects of advanced dementia, tube nutritional therapy and related ethical considerations, as well as to respond to several frequent questions that arise in our daily clinical practice.

Relationship between nutritional treatment compliance and nutritional status improvements in patients with gastrointestinal impairment taking an oral peptide-based supplement.

OBJECTIVES: Compliance in outpatients with gastrointestinal (GI) malabsorption is key in nutritional treatment. The objective of this study was to assess compliance in patients with GI impairment and malnutrition taking a high-calorie, high-protein, peptide-based oral nutritional supplement (ONS-PBD). METHODS: A prospective, multicenter, observational study was conducted in 19 medical sites in Spain where ONS-PBD were prescribed as standard of care. Patients consumed ONS-PBD daily for 12 wk. Compliance was calculated as the percentage consumed of the prescribed amount of ONS per day. RESULTS: A total of 90 adult patients were included in the study, of whom 64 completed the 12-wk regimine. Mean compliance was 78.8% ± 24.5%. Risk of malnutrition decreased in 56.3% of patients at 12 wk, as measured with the malnutrition universal screening tool. A reduction in abdominal pain was observed and stool consistency improved, with a mean of 54.7% and 27.5%, respectively. Improvements in quality of life and a decrease in percentage of patients with severe functional impairment were observed. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that ONS-PBD compliance in malnourished patients with GI symptoms is high, reducing GI symptoms and improving patients' nutritional status.

A real-life study of the medium to long-term effectiveness of a hypercaloric, hyperproteic enteral nutrition formula specifically for patients with diabetes on biochemical parameters of metabolic control and nutritional status.

INTRODUCTION: Although current recommendations suggest the use of specific formulas in enteral nutrition in people with diabetes, there is little evidence of their long-term effectiveness in glycemic control. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the long-term efficacy (24 weeks) of a specific high-protein hypercaloric enteral nutrition formula for people with diabetes in glycemic control and in their improvement in nutritional status. METHODOLOGY: This was a multicenter, prospective, observational, real-life study of patients with long-term enteral nutrition prescription through gastrostomy or nasogastric tube who received a high protein hypercaloric formula specific for diabetes. Once the participant's informed consent was obtained and the inclusion and exclusion criteria were verified, data relating to glycemic control, inflammation parameters, biochemical data, nutritional status and gastrointestinal tolerance at 0, 12 and 24 weeks were collected. RESULTS: 112 patients were recruited, 44.6% women, age 75.0 (12.0) years and a mean time of evolution of diabetes of 18.1 (9.5) years. The percentage of patients with malnutrition according to VGS decreased throughout the treatment from 78.6% to 29.9% (p < 0.001). Glycemic and HbA1c levels were significantly reduced at 12 and 24 weeks (Blood glucose 155.9-139.0-133.9 mg/dl, p < 0.001; HbA1c 7.7-7.3-7.1%, p < 0.001) while no significant changes were observed in cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, or glomerular filtration. A significant increase in variables related to nutritional status was observed: weight, the BMI, albumin, prealbumin and transferrin, and CRP levels were significantly reduced and the CRP/Albumin ratio decreased. Gastrointestinal tolerance was good, the number of patients with moderate-severe symptoms was small, and did not change throughout the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our real-life study suggests that the use of a specific hyperprotein hypercaloric formula for diabetes during a 6-month nutritional treatment allows adequate glycemic control and nutritional evolution, with good gastrointestinal tolerance.