Effect of the classic ketogenic diet on the treatment of refractory epileptic seizures / Efeito da dieta cetogênica clássica no tratamento de crises epilépticas refratárias

OBJECTIVE:The ketogenic diet is used as a therapeutic alternative for the treatment of epilepsy in patients with refractory epilepsy. It simulates biochemical changes typical of fasting. The present study verified the nutritional impact of the ketogenic diet on children with refractory epilepsy. METHODS: Nutritional status data (dietary, biochemical and anthropometric measurements), seizure frequency, and adverse events were collected from the medical records and during outpatient clinic visits of children over a period of 36 months. RESULTS: Of the 29 children who initiated the ketogenic diet, 75.8% presented fewer seizures after one month of treatment. After six months, 48.3% of the patients had at least a 90.0% decrease in seizure frequency, and 50.0% of these patients presented total seizure remission. At 12 months, eight patients continued to show positive results, and seven of these children remained on the ketogenic diet for 24 months. There was an improvement of the nutritional status at 24 months, especially in terms of weight, which culminated with the recovery of proper weightforheight. There were no significant changes in biochemical indices (total cholesterol and components, triglycerides, albumin, total protein, creatinine, glycemia, serum aspartate transaminase and serum alanine transaminase). Serum cholesterol levels increased significantly in the first month, fell in the following six months, and remained within the normal limits thereafter. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, patients on the classic ketogenic diet for at least 24 months gained weight. Moreover, approximately one third of the patients achieved significant reduction in seizure frequency, and some patients achieved total remission.

OBJETIVO: A dieta cetogênica é empregada como uma terapia alternativa para o tratamento da epilepsia em pacientes com epilepsia refratária e simula as alterações bioquímicas de jejum. Neste trabalho, verificouse o impacto nutricional da dieta cetogênica em crianças com epilepsia refratária. MÉTODOS: Os dados sobre o estado nutricional (bioquímica, alimentar e medidas antropométricas), a frequência de crises e os eventos adversos de crianças acompanhadas durante 36 meses foram coletados de prontuários médicos e visitas ambulatoriais. RESULTADOS: Vinte e nove crianças iniciaram o tratamento; após um mês, 75,8% apresentaram redução das crises. Em seis meses, 48,3% dos pacientes tiveram pelo menos 90,0% de redução na frequência de crises, e, desses, 50,0% obtiveram o controle completo das crises. Aos doze meses, oito pacientes continuaram a apresentar Resultados positivos, e, desses, sete permaneceram em dieta cetogênica durante 24 meses. Observouse melhora do estado nutricional aos 24 meses de tratamento, especialmente em termos de peso, o que indica a recuperação da condição peso para altura. Não houve mudanças significativas nos índices bioquímicos analisados (colesterol total e de componentes, triglicerídeos, albumina, proteína total, creatinina, glicemia, transaminase glutâmico oxalacética sérica e transaminase glutâmico pirúvico sérica). Os níveis de colesterol aumentaram significativamente no primeiro mês, mas diminuíram nos seis meses seguintes e, posteriormente, se mantiveram dentro dos valores de referência. CONCLUSÃO: Os pacientes em uso da dieta cetogênica clássica por pelo menos 24 meses apresentaram melhora de peso e cerca de um terço dos pacientes conseguiu uma redução significativa da frequência de crises, com alguns pacientes completamente livres delas.

Clinical predictors of different grades of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the comorbidities related to obesity. Liver biopsy has been used as the "gold standard" for the diagnosis, grading, and prognosis of obese patients. The objective of the present study was to evaluate clinical predictors of more advanced stages of NAFLD. METHODS: In this retrospective study we assessed several physical and laboratorial factors, including some cytokines, in morbidly obese patients submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass that could be related to the diagnosis and staging of NAFLD. Fragments of the livers were obtained from wedge biopsies during operation. RESULTS: The medical records of 259 patients were studied. The patients were divided into four groups: normal hepatic biopsy, steatosis, mild nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and moderate and severe NASH. There were no differences in cytokine levels among groups. The triglyceride levels were the only variable that could stratify the grades of NAFLD and also differentiate from normal livers in the female patients. Also in this group, the aminotransferases and GGT levels and fasting glucose were predictors of the more advanced stages of NASH, while BMI and weight were predictors of the more advanced stages of NASH in male patients. CONCLUSIONS: There are no available markers in clinical practice to detect the initial stages of NAFLD. It is very important to perform a liver biopsy in all patients submitted to bariatric surgery and in obese patients with no indication to be operated in the presence of elevated blood levels of aminotransferases, GGT, and fasting glucose.

Prospective and randomized comparison of two techniques of staple line reinforcement during open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: oversewing and bioabsorbable Seamguard®.

AIMS: Surgical staple line dehiscence usually leads to severe complications. Several techniques and materials have been used to reinforce this stapling and thus reduce the related complications. The objective was to compare safety of two types of anastomotic reinforcement in open gastric bypass. METHODS: A prospective, randomized study comparing an extraluminal suture, fibrin glue, and a nonpermanent buttressing material, Seamguard®, for staple line reinforcement. Fibrin glue was excluded from the study and analysis after two leaks, requiring surgical reintervention, antibiotic therapy, and prolonged patient hospitalization. RESULTS: Twenty patients were assigned to the suture and Seamguard reinforcement groups. The groups were similar in terms of preoperative characteristics. No staple line dehiscence occurred in the two groups, whereas two cases of dehiscence occurred in the fibrin glue group. No mortality occurred and surgical time was statistically similar for both techniques. Seamguard made the surgery more expensive. CONCLUSION: In our service, staple line reinforcement in open bariatric surgery with oversewing or Seamguard was considered to be safe. Seamguard application was considered to be easier than oversewing, but more expensive.

Factors related to weight loss up to 4 years after bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Gastric bypass is the bariatric surgery most frequently performed in the world. It is responsible for sustainable weight loss, resolution of comorbidities, and improvement of quality of life. However, weight loss is not homogeneous, at times being insufficient in some patients. Our objective was to assess which factors were important in influencing this differentiated weight loss over a period of 4 years after surgery. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we assessed several physical, socioeconomic, behavioral, surgical, and demographic factors in morbidly obese patients submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass that might influence excess weight loss over a period of 4 years after surgery. The same factors were assessed in order to characterize insufficient excess weight loss (<50% EWL). RESULTS: Review of the medical records of 149 patients showed that type-2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia were the most important factors related to a lower EWL up to the third year. Preoperative weight loss, lower schooling, and lack of adherence to nutritional guidelines were important after 2 and 3 years. The presence of depression and lack of adherence to nutritional guidelines were the factors related to EWL of less than 50%. CONCLUSIONS: Special attention and clarification should be provided to patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and dyslipidemia and to patients with depression and lower schooling, since these patients tend to lose less excess weight after surgery. Multiprofessional care should also be provided so that the patients will follow nutritional guidelines more rigorously after surgery.

Evolução da massa corporal magra após 12 meses da cirurgia bariátrica / Lean body mass changes within 12 months of bariatric surgery

OBJETIVO: O objetivo da pesquisa foi determinar a perda de massa corporal magra em pacientes após cirurgia bariátrica. MÉTODOS: O estudo retrospectivo foi conduzido com 17 prontuários de mulheres obesas submetidas à Derivação Gástrica em Y de Roux com anel de contenção gástrica, incluindo dados obtidos no período pré-operatório imediato e no 1º, 3º, 6º e 12º meses após a cirurgia. Os dados obtidos no prontuário incluíram a idade, medidas de peso, de altura e massa corporal magra e gorda, calculados pela impedância bioelétrica. RESULTADOS: A média de idade das pacientes foi de 43,1, DP=7,7 anos e durante o seguimento houve diminuição significativa do índice de massa corporal [51,2 (40,2-74,1) para 33,7 (24,8-53,4)kg/m²] e da massa corporal gorda [67,5 (51,2-67,4) para 32,1 (16,4-61,9)kg] em 12 meses de seguimento. No primeiro mês após a cirurgia, houve diminuição da massa corporal magra (M=65,3, DP=7,6 para M=59,7, DP=8,1kg), que representou 8,5 por cento em relação aos valores iniciais, sendo que a partir daí, os dados mantiveram-se constantes. CONCLUSÃO: A perda de massa corporal magra pode refletir uma alteração no metabolismo proteico durante o pós-operatório imediato da cirurgia bariátrica, que pode implicar em evolução clínica e nutricional desfavoráveis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine changes in lean body mass after bariatric surgery. METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed 17 medical records of obese women who underwent banded Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The medical records contained data collected immediately before and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. The data included age, weight, height and lean and fat body mass determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 43.1 years (SD=7.7). Body mass index decreased significantly within 12 months of the surgery, going from 51.2 (40.2-74.1) to 33.7 (24.8-53.4)kg/m², as did fat body mass, going from 67.5 (51.2-67.4) to 32.1 (16.4-61.9)kg. In the first month after surgery, lean body mass decreased from M=65.3 (SD=7.6) to M=59.7 (SD=8.1kg), representing a decrease of 8.5 percent. Lean body mass remained constant after this period. CONCLUSION: Loss of lean body mass may indicate a change in protein metabolism immediately after bariatric surgery, which may result in an unfavorable clinical and nutritional course.

Routine abdominal drains after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a prospective evaluation of the inflammatory response.

BACKGROUND: Despite the extensive published data regarding the use of drains in surgery, it is still controversial. Most bariatric surgeons use drains as routinely. However, drains have sometimes have been shown to be unhelpful and even to increase the anastomotic leak rates. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the peritoneal inflammatory response in the presence of a drain left in place until the seventh postoperative day after bariatric surgery. METHODS: All patients who underwent open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass from February 2007 to August 2008 were prospectively evaluated. A 24F Blake drain was left in place for 7 days. The peritoneal effluent from the drain was collected for the determination of cytokine levels and for microbiologic analysis. RESULTS: A total of 107 obese patients were studied. A marked increase in the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1ß was observed by the seventh postoperative day, even in patients without any abdominal complications. Bacterial contamination of the peritoneal effluent was also demonstrated. CONCLUSION: The results of our study have shown that at 7 days after surgery, a marked peritoneal inflammatory response and bacterial contamination are present. These findings could have resulted from the use of the drain for 7 postoperative days.

Nutritional course of patients submitted to bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment has proved to be effective for weight loss, improving the quality of life of obese individuals. However, metabolic and nutritional deficiencies may occur during the late postoperative period. The objective of the present study was to assess the metabolic and nutritional profile of grade III obese individuals for 12 months after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP). METHODS: Forty-eight patients with mean body mass index (BMI) of 51.9 +/- 7.8 kg/m(2) were submitted to RYGBP. Anthropometric, food intake, and biochemical data were obtained before and for 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: There was an average weight and body fat reduction of 35% and 46%, respectively. Calorie intake was reduced, ranging from 773 +/- 206 to 1035 +/- 345 kcal during the study. Protein intake remained below recommended values throughout follow-up, corresponding to 0.5 +/- 0.3 g/kg/current body weight/day during the 12th month. Iron and fiber intake was significantly reduced, remaining below recommended levels throughout the study. Serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glycemia were reduced. Albumin deficiency was present in 15.6% of subjects at the beginning of the study vs 8.9% at the end, calcium deficiency was present in 3.4% vs 16.7%, and iron deficiency was present in 12.2% vs 14.6%. CONCLUSIONS: RYGBP was effective for weight loss and for the reduction of obesity rates and risk factors for comorbidities. The diet of these patients, who frequently present inadequate intake of macronutrients and micronutrients, should receive special attention. Patient follow-up and assessment at short intervals are necessary for an early correction of nutritional deficiencies.

Influence of meal time on salivary circadian cortisol rhythms and weight loss in obese women.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the influence of meal time on salivary circadian cortisol rhythms and weight loss in obese women. METHODS: Twelve obese subjects (body mass index >40 kg/m(2)) were hospitalized for 64 d and then randomly assigned to one of three 18-d stages with a 5-d interval between stages. In stage 1, the subjects received a hypocaloric diet (1000 kcal/d) portioned into five meals per day. In stage 2, the subjects received the same diet between 0900 and 1100 h. In stage 3, they received the same diet between 1800 and 2000 h. Between admissions, the subjects were discharged from the hospital and consumed their usual diet at home. Salivary cortisol rhythm (in six samples collected over a 24-h period) was determined during each stage, and anthropometric, bioimpedance, indirect calorimetric, and urinary nitrogen excretion variables were measured. RESULTS: Salivary cortisol circadian rhythms were similar during all stages when measured on day 1 or 18 of treatment. Despite significant reductions in all anthropometric measurements except waist/hip ratio, no significant changes were observed in salivary cortisol rhythm after alteration of the eating hours. Starting on day 4 of treatment, nitrogen ingestion and excretion levels decreased significantly; on day 10, nitrogen balance was negative in all study stages. CONCLUSION: Administration of a hypocaloric diet led to changes in weight, body composition, resting metabolic rate, and nitrogen balance but did not significantly alter salivary circadian cortisol rhythms.

Total nitrogen and free amino acid losses and protein calorie malnutrition of hemodialysis patients: do they really matter?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Protein calorie malnutrition (PCM) in patients on hemodialysis (HD) is multifactorial; however, HD per se induces nutrient losses. The aim of the present study was to characterize the losses of total nitrogen (TN) and free amino acids (FAs) through the dialysate and to determine the relationship between this loss and PCM, food ingestion, and the characteristics of the hemodialyzer in patients on HD. METHODS: In a prospective study, 21 patients submitted to low-flux HD 3 times a week were evaluated within a period of 6 months regarding nutritional status, dietary calorie and protein intake, and losses through the dialysate of TN, FA, and urea nitrogen (UN). The type, surface area and reuses (up to 12) of the dialysis membrane were determined on each occasion, and the adequacy of dialysis was estimated by Kt/V. RESULTS: 50% of the patients were considered malnourished, although the mean protein and energy intakes were similar for the malnourished and nourished patients. Mean TN losses through the dialysate were 16 g/session (60% UN). FA losses varied from 3.8 to 4.2 g/total volume. TN and FA in the dialysate did not differ significantly between malnourished and nourished patients. There was a positive correlation between membrane (polysulfone) area and TN (p <0.05) and ultrafiltrate volume and TN (p < 0.05), and a nonsignificant correlation between reuse of the dialysis membrane and TN. CONCLUSIONS: TN and FA losses through the dialysate were similar for malnourished and non-malnourished patients on chronic HD, thus they do not act as indicators of nutritional status impairment.

Desperdício de alimentos intra-hospitalar / Food wastage in a hospital

OBJETIVO: Verificar a ocorrência do desperdício, na forma de resto de alimentos, na Unidade de Alimentação e Nutrição da Unidade de Emergência do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, da Universidade de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se análise descritiva de dados, levantados em um período de 14 dias, sobre os restos de alimentos deixados pelos clientes/pacientes, assim como dos custos estimados do total da produção e do resto de alimentos. RESULTADOS: Foram analisadas 650 dietas, totalizando 402kg de alimentos, tendo retornado à Unidade de Alimentação e Nutrição 123kg (31 por cento) de alimentos. Das dietas distribuídas, 71 (15 por cento) retornaram intactas. Desconsiderando as dietas intactas, o peso total de alimentos produzidos foi de 353kg e o resto de 77kg (22 por cento). O custo total mensal estimado das dietas foi de US$25,000.00 e o custo estimado dos restos foi de US$7,580.00. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados demonstram uma perda excessiva de alimentos, incompatível com as normas operacionais de uma Unidade de Alimentação e Nutrição hospitalar, o que nos remete à necessidade de reflexão acerca das possibilidades de ajustes, introduzindo revisões nas práticas gerenciais e operacionais do serviço com enfoque nas ações interdisciplinares.

Dieta cetogênica no tratamento de epilepsias farmacorresistentes / The ketogenic diet on the treatment of drug resistant epilepsies

A epilepsia é uma condição clínica crônica correspondente a um grupo de doenças que tem em comum crises epilépticas; ela atinge de 0,5 por cento a 1,0 por cento da população dos países desenvolvidos, podendo esta prevalência ser maior nos países em desenvolvimento. Aproximadamente um terço dos pacientes evolui com crises epilépticas intratáveis com medicamentos; em alguns casos, é possível o tratamento cirúrgico. Nos pacientes em que cirurgia não é possível, a dieta cetogênica passa a ser uma opção terapêutica, principalmente em crianças. Espera-se que esta terapia seja eficaz para, pelo menos, um terço dos pacientes, resultando em redução ou controle das crises. No presente trabalho, apresentamos métodos para o preparo e uso a dieta cetogênica. O planejamento da dieta é individualizado, seguindo-se recomendações para o consumo energético e proporções de gorduras, proteínas e carboidratos específicos. Sempre que introduzida a dieta, o paciente deve ser monitorizado, devido à possibilidade de efeitos adversos. A orientação dos pais ou responsáveis sobre a dieta cetogênica, e como ela funciona, proporciona maior aceitação e aderência a esta forma de tratamento da epilepsia.

Terapia nutricional nas alterações metabólicas associadas à hipertensão arterial (diabetes melito, dislipidemias, hiperuricemia) / Nutritional therapy indicated for metabolic changes associated with hypertension (Diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia)

A hipertensão arterial é considerada um dos principais fatores de risco de morbidade e mortalidade cardiovascular. O tratamento desta visa também a reduzir as comorbidades associadas. Mudanças no hábito alimentar podem ser fatores importantes e, muitas vezes, decisivos no tratamento da dislipidemia, diabetes melito e hiperuricemia, colaborando, assim, no tratamento da hipertensão arterial. A adesão do paciente aos novos hábitos alimentares é, porém, fundamental para que se alcance sucesso no tratamento nutricional. A individualização de propostas nutricionais, seguindo orientações específicas para cada um dos quadros clínicos, pode colaborar para aumentar a adesão do paciente à proposta nutricional. As orientações dietéticas para o tratamento de diabetes melito, da dislipidemia e da hiperuricemia são amplas e genéricas. A revisão da literatura e reunião das orientações nutricionais gerais para essas doenças em um único artigo pode tornar-se um instrumento facilitador no planejamento e individualização dietéticos de pacientes que apresentem essas doenças associadas ou não à hipertensão arterial