Nutritional support during the hospital stay reduces mortality in patients with different types of cancers: secondary analysis of a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional support in patients with cancer aims at improving quality of life. Whether use of nutritional support is also effective in improving clinical outcomes requires further study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this preplanned secondary analysis of patients with cancer included in a prospective, randomized-controlled, Swiss, multicenter trial (EFFORT), we compared protocol-guided individualized nutritional support (intervention group) to standard hospital food (control group) regarding mortality at 30-day (primary endpoint) and other clinical outcomes. RESULTS: We analyzed 506 patients with a main admission diagnosis of cancer, including lung cancer (n = 113), gastrointestinal tumors (n = 84), hematological malignancies (n = 108) and other types of cancer (n = 201). Nutritional risk based on Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS 2002) was an independent predictor for mortality over 180 days with an (age-, sex-, center-, type of cancer-, tumor activity- and treatment-) adjusted hazard ratio of 1.29 (95% CI 1.09-1.54; P = 0.004) per point increase in NRS. In the 30-day follow-up period, 50 patients (19.9%) died in the control group compared to 36 (14.1%) in the intervention group resulting in an adjusted odds ratio of 0.57 (95% CI 0.35-0.94; P = 0.027). Interaction tests did not show significant differences in mortality across the cancer type subgroups. Nutritional support also significantly improved functional outcomes and quality of life measures. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to usual hospital nutrition without nutrition support, individualized nutritional support reduced the risk of mortality and improved functional and quality of life outcomes in cancer patients with increased nutritional risk. These data further support the inclusion of nutritional care in cancer management guidelines.

Secondary prevention of minor trauma fractures: the effects of a tailored intervention-an observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Minor trauma fractures (MTF) in the elderly are associated with an increase in mortality, morbidity, and the risk of subsequent fractures. Often, these patients who sustain MTF have an underlying bone disease, such as osteopenia or osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is known to be underdiagnosed and undertreated, and adequate treatment is essential to reduce the occurrence of MTFs. At our hospital, this has led to the implementation of Osteofit, a patient-education-based intervention targeted at improving screening and prevention of osteoporosis, with the goal to reduce the rate of subsequent MTF. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of Osteofit in improving osteoporosis screening and treatment in patients after an initial MTF episode. METHODS: The study is a prospective, single-center, cohort study of MTF patients aged 50 years or older. A standardized questionnaire and telephone interview were used to collect 1-year follow-up data. The primary outcome was the rate of patients undergoing Dual X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scanning. Secondary outcomes were the rate of patients with a diagnosis of osteoporosis or osteopenia, the rate of patients treated with anti-osteoporotic medication, and the rate of patients with a subsequent fracture. DXA scanning rate, the prevalence of a diagnosis (osteoporosis/osteopenia), and data on medical treatment for osteoporosis were compared to the results of a previous study in the same hospital, published in 2004. RESULTS: Between 2012 and 2015, 411 of 823 eligible patients consented to participate and were included in this study. The mean age was 72 ± 9.3 years. Sixty-three percent (63.3%, n = 252) of the patients received a DXA scan, compared to 12.6% reported in our previous study. Of all patients who received a DXA scan, 199 (82.9%) were diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia. A total of 95 patients (23.1%) received specific medical treatment for osteoporosis and 59.8% reported the intake of any unspecific medication (vitamin D, calcium, or both). Fifteen patients (3.9%) had a subsequent fracture as a result of a minor trauma fall. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a MTF secondary prevention program with dedicated health professionals improved the rate of patients who underwent DXA screening by fivefold. Despite this improvement, DXA screening was missed in over a third of patients, with only 23% of eligible patients receiving specific medical treatment for osteoporosis at 1-year follow-up. Consequently, this tailored intervention is a promising first step in improving geriatric fracture care. However, further work to improve the rate of osteoporosis screening and medical treatment initiation for the long-term prevention of subsequent MTF is recommended. We believe osteoporosis screening and adequate osteoporosis medication should be integrated as standard procedure in the aftercare of MTF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Clinical presentation and management of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism of the Swiss Primary Hyperparathyroidism Cohort: a focus on neuro-behavioral and cognitive symptoms.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical and biochemical profile of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) of the Swiss Hyperparathyroidism Cohort, with a focus on neurobehavioral and cognitive symptoms and on their changes in response to parathyroidectomy. METHODS: From June 2007 to September 2012, 332 patients were enrolled in the Swiss PHPT Cohort Study, a nationwide prospective and non-interventional project collecting clinical, biochemical, and outcome data in newly diagnosed patients. Neuro-behavioral and cognitive status were evaluated annually using the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Clock Drawing tests. Follow-up data were recorded every 6 months. Patients with parathyroidectomy had one follow-up visit 3-6 months' postoperatively. RESULTS: Symptomatic PHPT was present in 43 % of patients. Among asymptomatic patients, 69 % (131/189) had at least one of the US National Institutes for Health criteria for surgery, leaving thus a small number of patients with cognitive dysfunction or neuropsychological symptoms, but without any other indication for surgery. At baseline, a large proportion showed elevated depression and anxiety scores and cognitive dysfunction, but with no association between biochemical manifestations of the disease and test scores. In the 153 (46 %) patients who underwent parathyroidectomy, we observed an improvement in the Mini-Mental State Examination (P = 0.01), anxiety (P = 0.05) and depression (P = 0.05) scores. CONCLUSION: PHPT patients often present elevated depression and anxiety scores and cognitive dysfunction, but rarely as isolated manifestations. These alterations may be relieved upon treatment by parathyroidectomy.

Clinical risk scores and blood biomarkers as predictors of long-term outcome in patients with community-acquired pneumonia: a 6-year prospective follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: Prediction of long-term outcomes in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is incompletely understood. We investigated the value of clinical risk scores [pneumonia severity index (PSI) and CURB-65] (Confusion, Urea, Respiratory rate, Blood Pressure, Age >65 years) and blood biomarkers of different physiopathological pathways in predicting long-term survival in a well-characterized cohort of patients with CAP enrolled in an antibiotic stewardship trial. DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Patients admitted with CAP to six medical centres in Switzerland were prospectively followed for 6 years. Cox regression models and area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) were used to investigate associations between initial risk assessment and all-cause mortality. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: All-cause mortality during a 6-year follow-up period. RESULTS: Six-year mortality in the present cohort (median age 73 years) was 45.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 41.8-48.3%]. Initial PSI and CURB-65 scores both had excellent long-term prognostic accuracy, with a stepwise increase in mortality per risk class. The hazard ratios (95% CI) of the highest PSI and CURB-65 classes (reference: lowest class) were 38.0 (14.0-103.0) and 7.8 (2.2-14.5), respectively, after 6 years. The addition of inflammatory (pro-adrenomedullin) and cardiac (pro-atrial natriuretic peptide) blood biomarkers measured upon hospital admission further improved the prognostic capabilities of the PSI (AUC increase from 0.79 to 0.83; P < 0.0001) and the CURB-65 score (AUC increase from 0.73 to 0.80; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Risk assessment using clinical scores allowed accurate long-term prognostication, which was further improved by the addition of two inflammatory (pro-adrenomedullin) and cardiac (pro-atrial natriuretic peptide) blood biomarkers. These data provide a rationale for a more risk-adapted, 'personalized' strategy for long-term management of patients with CAP.

[Endocrinologic side effects of oncologic treatment with anti-CTLA-4-antibodies]. / Endokrinologische Nebenwirkungen einer onkologischen Therapie mit Anti-CTLA-4-Antikörpern.

New immune-modulating treatments like the anti-CTLA-4-antibodies-based therapies are increasingly used in medical oncology. The action of Ipilimumab, a monoclonal anti-CTLA-4-antibody used for the treatment of metastasized melanoma and other solid tumors, is well documented. Blocking the CTLA-4-receptors on lymphocytes leads to T-cell activation and hence reduction of the tumor-mediated immunotolerance. This mechanism constitutes the basis of the antiproliferative effects but is also responsible for a spectrum of specific adverse events (immune-related adverse events, IRAE). IRAE of the endocrine system comprise hypophysitis, thyroiditis and adrenalitis. Especially adrenal insufficiency can be fatal when not diagnosed and treated. Symptoms often are unspecific and early diagnosis and targeted treatment are crucial. We present a case report and summarize - based upon the current literature - the diagnosis and treatment of endocrinologic IRAEs.

[Hypoclycaemia in a diabetic man's wife]. / Hypoglykämien bei der Frau eines Diabetikers.

Insulinoma are rare tumours with an incidence of 4/100'000, supposedly hypoglycaemic symptoms, however, are often attributed to people without diabetes mellitus. The many different causes of hypoglycaemic disorders are best classified in whether occurring in healthy-appearing or ill patients. Patient's history and physical examination allow to substantiate the suspected hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia which need to be proven in the 72-hour fast to meet the Whipple triad, i. e. low plasma glucose <= 2.5 mmol/l and neuroglycopenic symptoms and relief after ingesting glucose. In the next step localisation of the suspected insulinoma and exclusion of non-insulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycaemia is aimed at. GLP-1 receptor scintigraphy, a recent and sensitive method to localize insulinoma, proved reliable in the presented case report.

[Diabetes mellitus - pandemic of the 21st century]. / Diabetes mellitus Typ 2 - Seuche des modernen Lebensstils?

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes correlates with the prevalence of obesity. Even a BMI in the upper normal range increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, and mortality is doubled at a BMI of 27 and 12 times increased at a BMI over 40. Genotype scoring predicts only a minority of type 2 diabetes, therefore changing habits and modifying risk factors would have a great effect in preventing type 2 diabetes in patients with impaired glucose tolerance. Actually, changing lifestyle habits proved to be more successful than pharmacological intervention. The aim of medical treatment in type 2 diabetes is quality of life and HbA1c below 7%.

[The diabetic--a difficult patient difficult to treat?]. / Der schwierige Diabetiker.

After the diagnosis of Diabetes mellitus one third of the children suffer from a transient psychological disorder. Diabetic adults have rates of depression between 9% and 27% with macrovascular disease and retinopathy as main risk factors. Causes of apparent insulin resistance are discussed, particularly the omission of insulin to control weight in young women, and the obesity and sedentary lifestyle in type 2 diabetics.

Heart and brain: a case of focal myocytolysis in severe pneumococcal meningoencephalitis with review of the contemporary literature.

We report electrocardiographic changes mimicking myocardial ischaemia in a 73-year-old man with fatal pneumococcal meningoencephalitis, present the autopsy-confirmed histological picture of extensive focal myocytolysis (contraction band necrosis) without myocardial infarction or myocarditis, and review the contemporary literature. Potentially reversible, probably non-ischaemic myocardial dysfunction may occur in association with acute noncardiac illnesses, such as brain injuries. Biochemical and morphological abnormalities in acutely failing hearts from head-injured organ donors point to specific pathophysiological mechanisms, which are different from heart failure from other causes. Sepsis-related factors may add to the myocardial dysfunction in patients with brain injury from meningoencephalitis.

[Endocrinological diagnoses at a glance]. / Endokrinologische Blickdiagnosen.

Endocrine diseases are often diagnosed by history taking and physical examination. We present the clinical features, diagnostic studies und treatment in patients with acromegaly, Paget's disease, hypopituitarism, (Addisonian crisis), hypothyroidism and Graves' disease.

[Risk factors for arteriosclerosis]. / Risikofaktoren der Arteriosklerose.

The arteriosclerotic damage of the arterial endothelium is initiated by risk factors like dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and smoking, which account for the majority of vascular morbidity and mortality. Interventional studies confirmed the causative role of hyperlipidemia, particularly of the modified LDL-cholesterol. A large number of epidemiological and interventional studies identified hypertension as another risk factor and showed the correlation between lowering blood pressure and the reduction in micro- and macrovascular complications. Diabetes mellitus decreases the life expectancy on average by 10 years, mainly due to cardiovascular disease. However, intensive control of blood glucose and blood pressure achieved a significant and clinically important reduction in death and complications related to diabetes. Smoking is a main risk factor for peripheral arterial disease and causes advanced arterial lesions in the younger people. Novel risk factors have been identified and contribute to the elucidation of the atherogenic process.

Prevalence of renal artery stenosis in subjects with type 2 diabetes and coexistent hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of renal artery stenosis (RAS) in subjects with type 2 diabetes and coexistent hypertension by using magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the renal arteries, to assess clinical and biochemical predictors of RAS, and to assess the hemodynamic significance of RAS, by using the captopril test (a measure of the response of plasma renin activity to a single oral dose of captopril). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 117 subjects with type 2 diabetes and coexistent hypertension between 40 and 70 years of age and with creatinine concentrations < 150 micromol/l were recruited from two inner-city general diabetes clinics. All subjects underwent MRA of the renal arteries. In a subgroup of 85 subjects, data concerning possible clinical and biochemical predictors of RAS were collected, and the captopril test was performed. For comparison of a continuous variable between subjects with a positive MRA and those with a negative MRA, the Mann-Whitney test was used. For comparison of a discrete variable between subjects with a positive MRA and those with a negative MRA, Fisher's exact test was used. RESULTS: The prevalence of RAS detected by using MRA in 117 hypertensive type 2 diabetic subjects was 17%; 19 subjects had unilateral RAS, and only 1 subject had bilateral RAS. A femoral bruit was significantly more common in subjects with a positive MRA versus subjects with a negative MRA (21 vs. 0%; Fisher's exact test P < 0.005); however, other clinical features of atherosclerotic disease were not statistically associated. Greater duration of hypertension and treatment with statins were features of subjects with RAS (P < 0.05). The captopril test was negative in all subjects, although the antihypertensive response to oral captopril was significantly greater in subjects with RAS detected by MRA. CONCLUSIONS: RAS is common in hypertensive type 2 diabetic subjects. The presence of a femoral bruit is a useful predictive clinical marker. The captopril test is not useful in predicting the hemodynamic significance of RAS in this patient group.

Suppression and recovery of adrenal response after short-term, high-dose glucocorticoid treatment.

BACKGROUND: Suppression of the adrenal response is an unpredictable consequence of glucocorticoid treatment. To investigate the kinetics of the adrenal response after short-term, high-dose glucocorticoid treatment, we measured the adrenal response to the low-dose (1 microg) corticotropin stimulation test. METHODS: We studied 75 patients who received the equivalent of at least 25 mg prednisone daily for between 5 days and 30 days. After discontinuation of glucocorticoid treatment, 1 microg corticotropin was administered intravenously, and stimulated plasma cortisol concentrations were measured 30 min later. In patients with a suppressed response to 1 microg corticotropin, the test was repeated until stimulated plasma cortisol concentrations reached the normal range. FINDINGS: The adrenal response to 1 microg corticotropin was suppressed in 34 patients and normal in 41. Subsequent low-dose corticotropin tests showed a steady recovery of the adrenal response within 14 days. In two patients, the adrenal response remained suppressed for several months. There was no correlation between plasma cortisol concentrations and the duration or dose of glucocorticoid treatment. INTERPRETATION: Suppression of the adrenal response is common after short-term, high-dose glucocorticoid treatment. The low-dose corticotropin test is a sensitive and simple test to assess the adrenal response after such treatment.

[Prevalence and therapy of vascular risk factors in hospitalized type 2 diabetic patients]. / Prävalenz und Therapie von Gefässrisikofaktoren bei hospitalisierten Typ-2-Diabetikern.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is often associated with other risk factors for atherosclerotic disease, resulting in a marked increase in cardiovascular events and deaths. Combined treatment of hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia and hypertension significantly decreases the frequency and severity of diabetic microvascular and macrovascular complications. In a prospective cohort study including 356 type 2 diabetic patients (= 14% of all in-patients during a 6 months' period) the prevalence and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors were determined. Hypertension was diagnosed in 54% of the diabetic patients, albuminuria in 53% and dyslipidaemia in 47%; there were 40 smokers (17%). On admission the mean HbA1c was 7.7 +/- 2.0%, the mean fasting plasma glucose 10.0 +/- 4.2 mmol/l (and 8.9 +/- 3.9 mmol/l, p = 0.03, when discharged), the mean systolic blood pressure was 144 +/- 28 mm Hg (and 131 +/- 20, p < 0.0001, when discharged), and the triglycerides were 2.6 +/- 0.4 mmol/l. 34% of the hypertensive diabetic patients were treated with a combination of anti-hypertensive drugs, 44% of the dyslipidaemic diabetic patients were treated with statins, and 58% of all diabetic patients received aspirin or oral anticoagulation. 23% of the diabetic patients were treated by diet alone, 36% with insulin, 25% with sulfonylureas and 5% with metformin, while 11% were given a combination of antihyperglycaemic medication. In-hospital mortality was 11%. The diabetic patients were discharged on 2.9 +/- 1.7 different drugs. The prevalence of associated cardiovascular risk factors is high in type 2 diabetic patients, and thus a combination of drugs is often warranted. The rate of admissions and in-hospital mortality is high in type 2 diabetic patients.

[Heparin and insulin in the treatment of acute hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis]. / Heparin und Insulin in der Therapie der akuten Hypertriglyzeridämie-induzierten Pankreatitis.

Hypertriglyceridaemia is thought to be the aetiology in 3% of patients with acute pancreatitis, often associated with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus or chronic alcohol abuse. However, in patients with non-biliary pancreatitis, chylomicronaemia is an underrated cause of acute pancreatitis. The activity of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is crucial in removing triglycerides from the plasma; LPL gene mutations combined with secondary alterations in plasma lipoproteins, such as occur in pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, and alcohol abuse can cause severe hypertriglyceridaemia and pancreatitis. Heparin and insulin stimulate LPL activity. During a 12 months' period we consecutively screened all patients with the diagnosis of acute non-biliary pancreatitis for hypertriglyceridaemia, to evaluate the prevalence of hypertriglyceridaemia-induced pancreatitis and to assess the outcome under standardised treatment with intravenous heparin and insulin. Hypertriglyceridaemia-induced pancreatitis was diagnosed in 5 out of 46 patients (11%) with acute pancreatitis. In 2 patients hypertriglyceridaemia was associated with diabetes mellitus, in one patient with pregnancy and in another with chronic alcohol abuse. Four patients had to be referred to the intensive care unit. Plasma concentrations of triglycerides were (median +/- range) 43 mmol/l (14.7 to 80.4); pancreas amylase was 574 U/l (155 to 1606), and lipase was 1003 U/l (330 to 3010). All patients had oedematous pancreatitis demonstrated by CT scan. Treatment with i.v. heparin and i.v. insulin decreased trigylceride levels to less than 10 mmol/l within 2.8 days (1 to 6), the amylase and lipase levels returned to normal after 3 and 4 days respectively, and the abdominal pain was resolved. Hypertriglyceridaemia is a common and under-diagnosed etiology of acute non-biliary pancreatitis. Intravenous heparin and insulin is safe and effective in the treatment of hypertriglyceridaemia-induced pancreatitis. Low fat diet, supplements of (n-3) fatty acids ("fish oil") and fibrates are recommended for long-term maintenance therapy.