Early nutritional risk detection and intervention in COVID-19 hospitalized patients through the implementation of electronic automatized alarms.

INTRODUCTION: Hospitalized COVID-19 patients may present acute malnutrition which could influence morbidity and mortality. In the first wave of the pandemic severe weight loss was observed in many hospitalized patients. This pilot study evaluates the usefulness of an electronic automatized alarm for the early quantification of a low food intake as a predictor of the risk of malnutrition using COVID-19 disease as a model of severe illness. METHODS: Observational prospective nutritional screening with a daily automatized warning message to the Endocrinology and Nutrition Service provided by the Information Systems. All adult patients admitted for COVID-19 from November 2020 to February 2021 were included. When diet intake was <50% during consecutive 48h, an automated message was generated identifying the patient as "at nutritional risk (NR)" and additional specialist nutritional evaluation and therapy was performed within the next 24h. RESULTS: 205 patients out of 1176 (17.4%) were detected by automatized alarm and were considered as presenting high NR; 100% were concordant by the validated nutritional screening SNAQ. Nutritional support after detection was: 77.6% dietary adaptation+oral supplements; 9.3% enteral nutrition (EN); 1.5% parenteral nutrition (PN); 1% EN+PN and 10.7% no intervention is performed due to an end-of-life situation. Median weight loss during admission was 2.5kg (p25 0.25-p75: 6kg). Global mortality was 6.7% while in those detected by automatized alarm was 31.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of an electronic NR screening tool was feasible and allowed the early nutritional assessment and intervention in COVID-19 hospitalized patients and can be useful in patients hospitalized for other pathologies.

Obesity Surgery Improves Hypogonadism and Sexual Function in Men without Effects in Sperm Quality.

(1) Background: Obesity is associated with hypogonadism, sexual dysfunction, and impaired fertility in men. However, its effects on semen parameters or sexual function remain debatable. (2) Methods: This paper involves a longitudinal study in men submitted for obesity surgery at a university tertiary hospital. Patients were studied at baseline and at 6, 12, and 18 months after obesity surgery. At each visit, anthropometry measures were collected and hormonal and semen parameters were studied. Sexual function was evaluated with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). (3) Results: A total of 12 patients were included. The average body mass index of patients decreased from 42.37 ± 4.44 to 29.6 ± 3.77 kg/m2 at 18 months after surgery (p < 0.05). Hormonal parameters improved after obesity surgery. The proportion of sperm cells with normal morphology tended to decrease from baseline and became most significant at 18 months (5.83 ± 4.50 vs. 2.82 ± 2.08). No significant changes were found in the remaining semen parameters. Erectile function improved significantly at six months after surgery. (4) Conclusions: The authors believe that, in general, the effects of obesity surgery on fertility may be limited or even deleterious (at least in the short and midterm follow-up).

Nutritional Status According to the GLIM Criteria in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: Association with Prognosis.

BACKGROUND: The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria were recently proposed to build a global consensus on the diagnostic criteria for malnutrition. This study aimed to evaluate the GLIM criteria for its prognostic significance in outpatients with heart failure (HF), and to compare them to a previous validated method, such as the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). METHODS: This was a post hoc observational analysis of a prospectively recruited cohort, which included 151 subjects that attended an outpatient HF clinic. At baseline, all patients completed the nutritional screening MNA short form and the nutritional assessment MNA. In a post hoc analysis, we evaluated the GLIM criteria at baseline. The outcomes were based on data from a five-year follow-up. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Secondary endpoints were cardiovascular (CV) mortality and recurrent HF-related hospitalizations. We also investigated whether the GLIM criteria had better prognostic power than the MNA. RESULTS: Abnormal nutritional status was identified in 19.8% of the patients with the GLIM criteria and in 25.1% with the MNA. In the multivariate analyses (age, sex, NYHA functional class, diabetes, and Barthel index), nutritional status assessed by the MNA, but not by the GLIM criteria, was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality, CV mortality, and recurrent HF-related hospitalizations during the five-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition assessed by MNA, but not by the GLIM criteria, was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality, CV mortality, and recurrent HF-related hospitalization in our cohort of outpatients with HF.

Comparison of Glycemic Variability and Hypoglycemic Events in Hospitalized Older Adults Treated with Basal Insulin plus Vildagliptin and Basal-Bolus Insulin Regimen: A Prospective Randomized Study.

Background: The basal−bolus insulin regimen is recommended in hospitalized patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), but has an increased risk of hypoglycemia. We aimed to compare dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP4-i) and basal−bolus insulin glycemic outcomes in hospitalized type 2 DM patients. Methods and patients: Our prospective randomized study included 102 elderly T2DM patients (82 ± 9 years, HbA1c 6.6% ± 1.9). Glycemic control: A variability coefficient assessed by continuous glucose monitoring (Free Style® sensor), mean insulin dose and hypoglycemia rates obtained with the two treatments were analyzed. Results: No differences were found between groups in glycemic control (mean daily glycemia during the first 10 days: 152.6 ± 38.5 vs. 154.2 ± 26.3 mg/dL; p = 0.8). The total doses Kg/day were 0.40 vs. 0.20, respectively (p < 0.001). A lower number of hypoglycemic events (9% vs. 15%; p < 0.04) and lower glycemic coefficient of variation (22% vs. 28%; p < 0.0002) were observed in the basal−DPP4-i compared to the basal−bolus regimen group. Conclusions: Treatment of inpatient hyperglycemia with basal insulin plus DPP4-i is an effective and safe regimen in old subjects with T2DM, with a similar mean daily glucose concentration, but lower glycemic variability and fewer hypoglycemic episodes compared to the basal bolus insulin regimen.

Impact of COVID-19 on nutritional status during the first wave of the pandemic.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Patients affected by COVID-19 may develop disease related malnutrition (DRM) due to the catabolic situation, symptoms that interfere with intake and prolonged hospital stay. This study aims to know the percentage of patients admitted for COVID-19 who required artificial nutrition (AN), their clinical characteristics, as well as the prevalence of DRM and the risk of sarcopenia at hospital discharge and after 6 months. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational, prospective study, with successive inclusion of adult patients admitted for COVID-19 in whom institutional nutritional support (NS) care protocol was applied. Those who received AN underwent a nutritional screening by Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire (SNAQ) and an assessment by Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) at hospital discharge, as well as a screening for sarcopenia (SARC-F test) and SNAQ re-test 15 days and 6 months after by a phone call. Symptoms related to food intake, anthropometric and analytical data were also collected. RESULTS: We evaluated 936 patients with a mean age of 63.7 ± 15.3 years; predominantly male (59.7%), overweight 41%, obesity 40.4%; hypertension 52.9%; diabetes mellitus 26.6% and cancer 10.4%. The stay hospital length was 17.3 ± 13.8 days and 13.6% patients died during hospitalization. The modality of nutritional support was: 86.1% dietary adaptation + oral nutritional supplements (ONS); 12.4% enteral nutrition (EN) by nasogastric (NG) tube; 0.9% parenteral nutrition (PN) and 0.6% EN plus PN. Focusing on patients who received AN, follow-up post discharge was possible in 62 out of 87 who survived. Of these, at the time of hospital discharge, 96.7% presented nutritional risk by SNAQ and 100% malnutrition by SGA (20% B; 80% C). During admission, 82.3% presented intense anorexia and the mean weight loss was 10.9 ± 6 Kg (p < 0.001). Fifteen days after being discharged, 12.9% still had anorexia, while hyperphagia appeared in 85.5% of the patients and risk of sarcopenia by SARC-F was present in 87.1% of them. Six months after discharge, 6.8% still had anorexia and 3.4% hyperphagia, with a global weight gain of 4.03 ± 6.2 Kg (p=<0.0001). Risk of malnutrition was present in only 1.7% of the patients, although risk of sarcopenia persisted in 49.2%. CONCLUSION: All patients admitted by COVID-19 for whom EN or PN were indicated following an institutional protocol still presented malnutrition at hospital discharge, and almost all showed risk of sarcopenia, that persisted in almost half of them at 6 months. These findings suggest that nutritional and functional problems persist in these patients after discharge, indicating that they require prolonged nutritional support and monitoring.

Effectiveness of Bariatric Surgery in Patients with the Metabolically Healthy Obese Phenotype.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of bariatric surgery in metabolically healthy obese (MHO) patients. METHODS: In this retrospective, observational study, we reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent bariatric surgery at a tertiary care hospital between January 2007 and March 2015. Patients who underwent revisional surgery and patients with type 1 diabetes were excluded from the analysis. MHO patients were defined as those without a previous diagnosis of diabetes or atherogenic dyslipidemia and absence of hypoglycemic treatment or treatment with fibrates. RESULTS: A total of 188 patients were included (mean age 48.97 ± 10.32 years, 68.6% of women). Sleeve gastrectomy was performed in 121 patients (64%) and a gastric bypass in 67 patients (36%). Prior to surgery, 36 patients (19%) were MHO. In the second- and third-year post-surgery, MHO patients presented a higher percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) (35.16% vs. 30.34%; p = 0.02 and 33.97% vs. 27.78%; p = 0.013 respectively). Multiple regression analysis showed that MHO was associated with a higher weight loss irrespective of age, sex, baseline BMI, and type of surgery. We did not detect any differences in acute complications between patients with and without MHO after bariatric surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Bariatric surgery in MHO patients in our study was associated with higher weight loss than that in MUHO patients. There were no differences between the two groups in respect to acute complications following surgery.

Microbiota, Fiber, and NAFLD: Is There Any Connection?

Gut microbiota can contribute to the development and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In fact, some specific changes of gut microbiota are observed in patients in what is called dysbiota. There has been a lot of investigation by using a variety of interventions, including diet, showing the possibility to modify components of gastrointestinal dysbiota towards healthy and multivariate microbiota to restore physiologic status. One of the main focuses has been dietary fiber (DF), in which most of its variants are prebiotics. The highest effective treatment for NAFLD is, so far, weight loss achieved by caloric restriction. DF supplementation with oligofructose facilitates weight loss, enhances the production of beneficial metabolites, decreases some pathogenic bacteria population by increasing Bifidobacteria, and has effects on intestinal barrier permeability. DF use has been associated with improvement in diverse metabolic diseases, including NAFLD, by modifying gut microbiota. Additionally, it has been shown that a higher insoluble fiber consumption (≥7.5 g/day) revealed improvements in 3 different scores of liver fibrosis. Further research is needed, but given the evidence available, it is reasonable to prescribe its consumption in early stages of NAFLD in order to prevent disease progression.

Implantación de un programa para el manejo de la hiperglucemia en la hospitalización con la incorporación de la enfermera consultora / Implementation of an inpatient hyperglycemia management program incorporating a nurse consultant

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: La eficacia y seguridad de los protocolos de manejo de la hiperglucemia hospitalaria con pautas basal-bolo están ampliamente demostradas, pero su implementación es insuficiente. El objetivo del estudio fue valorar la implantación y determinar la eficacia y seguridad de un protocolo de manejo de la hiperglucemia hospitalaria basado en la terapia basal-bolo y la incorporación de una enfermera consultora. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: La evaluación se realizó en 10 unidades de hospitalización. Se revisaron retrospectivamente los datos durante la hospitalización y a los 90 días tras el alta de 400 pacientes postimplantación y 200 pacientes preimplantación del protocolo. El grado de satisfacción de los profesionales se valoró mediante un cuestionario a los 12 meses de la implantación. RESULTADOS: La proporción de pacientes con pauta basal-bolo en el ingreso fue superior en el grupo postimplantación (58% frente a 9%, p < 0,001). La media de las glucemias prepandiales y al acostarse durante el ingreso fue menor en el grupo postimplantación (164 ± 41mg/dl frente a 196 ± 50 mg/dl, p < 0,001). La proporción de pacientes con glucemias > 300 mg/dl fue menor (36,3% frente a 50,5%; p < 0,001) y con glucemias < 70 mg/dl fue superior (15% frente a 9%, p = 0,040) en el grupo postimplantación. La adición e intensificación de la insulina fue la principal modificación del tratamiento al alta y se observó reducción significativa de la HbA1c a los 3 meses del alta en la fase postimplantación (p = 0,04). La valoración del protocolo por parte de los profesionales fue de 4,5 en una escala de 1 a 5. CONCLUSIONES: La incorporación de una enfermera consultora experta en diabetes como elemento central del programa de manejo de la hiperglucemia consigue que la mayoría de los pacientes hospitalizados con hiperglucemia reciban tratamiento con una pauta basal-bolo y una mejora del control glucémico durante la hospitalización y tras el alta

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The efficacy and safety of inpatient hyperglycemia management protocols using basal-bolus regimens have been widely demonstrated, but their implementation is insufficient. The aim of the study was to assess implementation and to establish the efficacy and safety of inpatient hyperglycemia management protocol based on a basal-bolus regimen and the incorporation of a nurse consultant. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Evaluation was performed at 10 hospital units. Data were retrospectively reviewed during hospital stay and 90 days after discharge in 400 patients after protocol implementation and 200 patients before implementation. The degree of satisfaction of professionals was assessed using a questionnaire 12 months after implementation. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with basal-bolus regimens upon admission was higher in the postimplementation group (58% vs. 9%, P < 0.001). Mean pre-prandial and bedtime blood glucose levels during admission were lower in the postimplementation group (164 ± 41 mg/L vs. 196 ± 50 mg/dL, P < 0.001). After implementation, there were less patients with blood glucose levels > 300 mg/dL (36.3% vs. 50.5%, P < 0.001) and more patients with values < 70mg/dL (15% vs. 9%, P = 0.040). Insulin addition and intensification was the main change in treatment at discharge, and a significant HbA1c reduction was seen three months after discharge in the postimplementation phase (P = 0.04). The professionals assigned the protocol a score of 4.5 on a 1 to 5 scale. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporation of a nurse consultant expert in diabetes as key component of a hyperglycemia management program ensures that a majority of patients admitted to hospital for hyperglycemia receive treatment with a basal-bolus regimen and improves blood glucose control during hospital stay and after discharge

Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form is a morbi-mortality predictor in outpatients with heart failure and mid-range left ventricular ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nutritional status is an important prognostic factor in patients with heart failure (HF). In a pilot study we previously observed that the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form tool (MNA-SF) was the best approach for the screening of nutritional status in HF outpatients over other screening tools. The current study aimed to determine whether the MNA-SF has prognostic value in outpatients with HF and whether the impact of malnutrition differs depending on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). METHODS: Prospective study performed in outpatients attending a HF clinic at a university hospital. All subjects completed the MNA-SF at study entry. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Secondary end-points were the number of recurrent HF-related hospitalizations and the composite end-point of all-cause death or HF-related hospitalizations. Patients with malnutrition and at risk of malnutrition were merged and considered as having abnormal nutritional status for statistical analysis. RESULTS: From October 2016 to November 2017, 555 patients were included (age 69 ± 11.5 years, 71% male, LVEF 44.6 ± 13.2). Abnormal nutritional status was identified in 103 (18.6%) subjects. HF patients with preserved LVEF had a higher proportion of abnormal nutritional status (23%) than patients with HF and mid-range LVEF (HFmrEF) (16.4%) or those with HF with reduced LVEF (HFrEF) (15.9%.). During a mean follow-up of 23.8 ± 6.6 months, 99 patients died (17.8%), 74 were hospitalized due to HF (13.3%) and the composite end-point was observed in 181 (32.6%). In the univariate analysis, abnormal nutritional status was significantly associated with all-cause mortality (p = 0.02) and the composite end-point (p = 0.02) in the total cohort. However, in the multivariate analysis including age, sex, NYHA functional class, BMI, ischemic aetiology, diabetes, hypertension and HF duration, abnormal nutritional status remained significantly associated with all-cause mortality (HR 3.32 [95%CI 1.47-7.52], p = 0.004), and the composite end-point (HR 2.53 [95%CI 1.30-4.94], p = 0.006) only in HFmrEF patients. Patients with abnormal nutritional status suffered double the crude number of recurrent HF-related hospitalizations (16.4 vs. 8.4 per 100 patients-years, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of MNA-SF as a routine screening tool allowed the detection of abnormal nutritional status in almost one out of five ambulatory HF patients. Nutritional status assessed by the MNA-SF was an independent predictor of all-cause death and the composite end-point of all-cause death or HF-related hospitalization in outpatients with HFmrEF. Furthermore, abnormal nutritional status was significantly related to recurrent hospitalizations across the HF spectrum.

Effects of Bariatric Surgery on HDL Cholesterol.

BACKGROUND: Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) are independent predictive factors of coronary heart disease. Bariatric surgery increases HDLc concentration, but the chronology and predictors of this improvement in HDLc levels are not well-established. The aim of the present study was to analyse the changes over time in HDLc concentrations after bariatric surgery and to determine the predictors of their increase. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study. The medical records of patients who had undergone bariatric surgery at a tertiary care hospital between January 2007 and March 2015 were reviewed. Patients who underwent revisional surgery or were treated with fibrates were excluded from the analysis. RESULTS: A total of 185 patients were included in the study. Follow-up rates were as follows: 87% (year 2) and 28% (year 5). At postoperative month 3, HDLc levels decreased significantly versus baseline (- 11.1%; p = 0.000), at which point they began to rise, reaching their maximum level 2 years after bariatric surgery (26.2% increase from baseline; p = 0.000). The increase in HDLc concentration 2 years after surgery correlated with the preoperative HDLc level (r = - 0.292, p = 0.001), and it was greater in patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy versus gastric bypass (0.36 ± 0.4 vs. 0.18 ± 0.4 mmol/L, respectively; p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery has a beneficial effect on HDLc levels. The maximum increase in postoperative HDLc concentrations is observed 2 years after surgery. Preoperative HDLc and the type of surgery are both significant predictors of the maximum increase in HDLc levels.

Implementation of an inpatient hyperglycemia management program incorporating a nurse consultant. / Implantación de un programa para el manejo de la hiperglucemia en la hospitalización con la incorporación de la enfermera consultora.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The efficacy and safety of inpatient hyperglycemia management protocols using basal-bolus regimens have been widely demonstrated, but their implementation is insufficient. The aim of the study was to assess implementation and to establish the efficacy and safety of inpatient hyperglycemia management protocol based on a basal-bolus regimen and the incorporation of a nurse consultant. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Evaluation was performed at 10 hospital units. Data were retrospectively reviewed during hospital stay and 90 days after discharge in 400 patients after protocol implementation and 200 patients before implementation. The degree of satisfaction of professionals was assessed using a questionnaire 12 months after implementation. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with basal-bolus regimens upon admission was higher in the postimplementation group (58% vs. 9%, P<0.001). Mean pre-prandial and bedtime blood glucose levels during admission were lower in the postimplementation group (164±41mg/L vs. 196±50mg/dL, P<0.001). After implementation, there were less patients with blood glucose levels >300mg/dL (36.3% vs. 50.5%, P<0.001) and more patients with values <70mg/dL (15% vs. 9%, P=0.040). Insulin addition and intensification was the main change in treatment at discharge, and a significant HbA1c reduction was seen three months after discharge in the postimplementation phase (P=0.04). The professionals assigned the protocol a score of 4.5 on a 1 to 5 scale. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporation of a nurse consultant expert in diabetes as key component of a hyperglycemia management program ensures that a majority of patients admitted to hospital for hyperglycemia receive treatment with a basal-bolus regimen and improves blood glucose control during hospital stay and after discharge.

Insulin Therapy in Hospitalized Patients.

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycemia is prevalent and is associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Insulin therapy is the most appropriate method for controlling glycemia in hospital, but is associated with increased risk of hypoglycemia, which is a barrier to achieving glycemic goals. AREAS OF UNCERTAINTY: Optimal glycemic targets have not been established in the critical and noncritical hospitalized patients, and there are different modalities of insulin therapy. The primary purpose of this review is to discuss controversy regarding appropriate glycemic targets and summarize the evidence about the safety and efficacy of insulin therapy in critical and noncritical care settings. DATA SOURCES: A literature search was conducted through PubMed with the following key words (inpatient hyperglycemia, inpatient diabetes, glycemic control AND critically or non-critically ill patient, Insulin therapy in hospital). RESULTS: In critically ill patient, blood glucose levels >180 mg/dL may increase the risk of hospital complications, and blood glucose levels <110 mg/dL have been associated with an increased risk of hypoglycemia. Continuous intravenous insulin infusion is the best method for achieving glycemic targets in the critically ill patient. The ideal glucose goals for noncritically ill patients remain undefined and must be individualized according to the characteristics of the patients. A basal-bolus insulin strategy resulted in better glycemic control than sliding scale insulin and lower risk of hypoglycemia than premixed insulin regimen. CONCLUSIONS: Extremes of blood glucose lead to poor outcomes, and target glucose range of 110-180 mg/dL may be appropriate for most critically ill patients and noncritically ill patients. Insulin is the most appropriate pharmacologic agent for effectively controlling glycemia in hospital. A continuous intravenous insulin infusion and scheduled basal-bolus-correction insulin are the preferred modalities for glycemic control in critically and noncritically ill hospitalized patients, respectively.

Differences in Glycemic Control in Diabetic and Non-diabetic Patients with Parenteral Nutrition Using a Basal plus Correction Insulin Regimen: An Observational, Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Hyperglycemia is a frequent complication of parenteral nutrition (PN) in patients both with and without diabetes mellitis (DM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of glucose control achieved with basal plus-correction insulin in surgical patients with and without a history of DM receiving PN. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of a protocol applied during the period of January 2013-December 2015. The insulin dose was started at 0.4 and 0.3 IU/kg/day in patients with previous DM and without a history of DM, respectively, and the target blood glucose (BG) was < 180 mg/dl. Mean BG levels, insulin total daily dose (TDD) and hypoglycemic (< 70 mg/dl) events on different days of PN were also evaluated. RESULTS: Forty-one patients with previous type 2 DM and 39 without DM were evaluated. Glycemic control in both groups was as follows: during the first 48 h (230.4 ± 67 vs. 189.4 ± 38 mg/dl, p = 0.002); at the midpoint (224.6 ± 58 vs. 181.3 ± 27 mg/dl, p = 0.003); 48 h before ending TPN (196.4 ± 43 vs. 169.8 ± 40 mg/dl, p = 0.004). Insulin TDD was 0.5 ± 0.3 U/kg/day in patients with DM and 0.37 ± 0.3 units/kg/day in those without DM (p < 0.05). A total of 18 patients experienced hypoglycemic events, without differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: A basal-correction insulin regimen is an alternative method for managing hyperglycemia in non-critically ill surgical patients on PN.

Transition from intravenous insulin to subcutaneous long-acting insulin in critical care patients on enteral or parenteral nutrition / Transición de insulina intravenosa a insulina de acción prolongada subcutánea en pacientes de cuidados críticos con nutrición enteral o parenteral

Background and aims: The optimal initial dose of subcutaneous (SC) insulin after intravenous (IV) infusion is controversial, especially in patients receiving continuous enteral nutrition (EN) or total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The aim of this study was to evaluate the strategy used at our hospital intensive care unit (ICU) in patients switched from IV insulin to SC insulin glargine while receiving EN or TPN. Design and methods: A retrospective analysis was made of 27 patients on EN and 14 on TPN switched from IV infusion insulin to SC insulin. The initial dose of SC insulin was estimated as 50% of the daily IV insulin requirements, extrapolated from the previous 12h. A corrective dose of short-acting insulin (lispro) was used when necessary. Results: Mean blood glucose (BG) level during SC insulin treatment was 136±35mg/dL in the EN group and 157±37mg/dL in the TPN group (p=0.01). In the TPN group, mean BG was >180mg/dL during the first three days after switching, and a 41% increase in the glargine dose was required to achieve the target BG. In the EN group, mean BG remained <180mg/dL throughout the days of transition and the dose of glargine remained unchanged. Conclusions: In the transition from IV to SC insulin therapy, initial insulin glargine dose estimated as 50% of daily IV insulin requirements is adequate for patients on EN, but inadequate in those given TPN (AU)

Introducción y objetivo: La dosis óptima inicial de insulina subcutánea (SC) después de la infusión intravenosa (IV) es controvertida, especialmente en pacientes que reciben nutrición enteral continua (NE) o nutrición parenteral total (NPT). El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la estrategia utilizada en nuestra unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) en pacientes sometidos a transición de infusión IV a insulina glargina SC mientras recibían NE o NPT. Diseño y métodos: Se analizaron retrospectivamente 27 pacientes con NE y 14 con NPT que cambiaron de infusión IV a insulina SC. La dosis inicial de insulina SC se estimó como el 50% de los requerimientos diarios de insulina IV, extrapolado de las 12 horas anteriores. Se utilizó dosis correctiva de insulina ultrarrápida (lispro), cuando fue necesaria. Resultados: La media de glucemia plasmática (GP) con insulina SC fue de 136,35mg/dl en el grupo NE y de 157,37mg/dl en el grupo NPT, p=0.01. En el grupo de NPT la GP media fue>180mg/dL durante los tres primeros días después de la transición y fue necesario un aumento del 41% en la dosis de glargina para alcanzar la GP objetivo. En el grupo NE, la GP media permaneció<180mg/dl durante los días de transición y la dosis de glargina permaneció sin cambios. Conclusiones: En la transición de la terapia de insulina IV a insulina SC, la dosis inicial de insulina glargina estimada como el 50% de los requerimientos diarios de insulina IV es adecuada para los pacientes que reciben NE, pero insuficiente para los que reciben NPT (AU)

Transition from intravenous insulin to subcutaneous long-acting insulin in critical care patients on enteral or parenteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The optimal initial dose of subcutaneous (SC) insulin after intravenous (IV) infusion is controversial, especially in patients receiving continuous enteral nutrition (EN) or total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The aim of this study was to evaluate the strategy used at our hospital intensive care unit (ICU) in patients switched from IV insulin to SC insulin glargine while receiving EN or TPN. DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made of 27 patients on EN and 14 on TPN switched from IV infusion insulin to SC insulin. The initial dose of SC insulin was estimated as 50% of the daily IV insulin requirements, extrapolated from the previous 12h. A corrective dose of short-acting insulin (lispro) was used when necessary. RESULTS: Mean blood glucose (BG) level during SC insulin treatment was 136±35mg/dL in the EN group and 157±37mg/dL in the TPN group (p=0.01). In the TPN group, mean BG was >180mg/dL during the first three days after switching, and a 41% increase in the glargine dose was required to achieve the target BG. In the EN group, mean BG remained <180mg/dL throughout the days of transition and the dose of glargine remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: In the transition from IV to SC insulin therapy, initial insulin glargine dose estimated as 50% of daily IV insulin requirements is adequate for patients on EN, but inadequate in those given TPN.

Case-control studies in diabetes. Do they really use a case-control design?

AIMS: Studies defined as case-control do not always use this design. We aimed to estimate the frequency of mislabelled case-control studies in published articles in the area of diabetes and to identify the predictors of incorrect labelling. METHODS: We searched Medline and Web of Science for articles with "diabetes" and "case control" in title and filtered for language (English/Romance) and period (January 2010-December 2014). Inclusion criteria were: (1) statement to use a case-control design in title, (2) to be a final full-length publication and (3) to have original data in the area of diabetes. Three independent reviewers went through titles, looked for full texts and reviewed them. Discrepancies were settled with a fourth reviewer. Expert epidemiologist advice was requested in case of doubt. OUTCOME VARIABLE: case-control mislabelling; addressed predictors: publication year, journal impact factor and journal subject. STATISTICS: proportion of mislabelled CC articles and assessment of predictors by multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: We retrieved 362 articles, 251 of them fulfilling inclusion criteria. The proportion of mislabelled CC studies was 43.8% (confidence interval 95% 37.7-50.0%). Most mislabelled studies had a cross-sectional design (82.7%). Predictors of mislabelling were publication year, journal impact factor and journal area. CONCLUSIONS: A relevant subset of studies defined as case-control in the area of diabetes correspond to mislabelled cross-sectional studies. Incorrect labelling misleads readers regarding the interpretation of results and the cause-effect hypothesis. Researchers, reviewers and editors should be aware of and commit to settle this issue.

Eficacia de un programa de tratamiento de la hiperglucemia en un Servicio de Cirugía Vascular supervisado por Endocrinología / Efficacy of a hyperglycemia treatment program in a Vascular Surgery Department supervised by Endocrinology

INTRODUCCIÓN: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar las estrategias terapéuticas utilizadas y la eficacia de un programa de tratamiento de la hiperglucemia supervisado por Endocrinología. MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo de todos los pacientes con diabetes tipo II ingresados en Cirugía Vascular en un periodo de 12 meses. Registramos las características clínicas y los datos relacionados con el tratamiento de la hiperglucemia durante la hospitalización, al alta y a los 2-6 meses postalta. El control glucémico se evaluó mediante los perfiles glucémicos y la HbA1c al ingreso y a los 2-6 meses postalta. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 140 hospitalizaciones de 123 pacientes. El protocolo para la selección de la pauta de insulina se aplicó en el 96,4% de los pacientes (22,8% correctora; el 23,6% basal-correctora y 50% basal-bolo-correctora [BBC]). Los pacientes con BBC tenían HbA1c inicial (7,7 ± 1,5% frente a 6,7 ±0 ,8%; p < 0,001) y glucemia media el día del ingreso más elevadas (184,4& #177; 59,2 frente a 140,5 ±31,4 mg/dl; p < 0,001). La glucemia media se redujo en la mitad (162,1 ±41,8 mg/dl) y en las últimas 24 h del ingreso (160,8 ±43,3 mg/dl) en los pacientes con BBC (p = 0,007), pero no se modificó en el resto. En el 22,1% de los pacientes en los que se realizaron modificaciones del tratamiento previo al alta, la HbA1c se redujo de 8,2±1,6 a 6,8±1,6%, a los 2-6 meses postalta (p = 0,019). CONCLUSIONES: La aplicación por personal experto del protocolo de tratamiento de la hiperglucemia en el hospital permite identificar el tratamiento adecuado y mejorar el control glucémico durante la hospitalización y al alta, confirmando su eficacia en condiciones de práctica clínica

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the strategy and efficacy of a hyperglycemia treatment program supervised by Endocrinology. METHODS: All patients with type 2 diabetes hospitalized at the vascular surgery department over a 12 month period were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical characteristics and hyperglycemia treatment during hospitalization, at discharge and 2-6 month after discharge were collected. Glycemic control was assessed using capillary blood glucose profiles and HbA1c at admission and 2-6 months post-discharge. RESULTS: A total of 140 hospitalizations of 123 patients were included. The protocol to choose the insulin regimen was applied in 96.4% of patients (22.8% correction dose, 23.6% basal-correction dose and 50% basal-bolus-correction dose [BBC]). Patients with BBC had higher HbA1c (7.7 ± 1.5% vs. 6.7 ± 0.8%; P < .001) and mean glycemia on the first day of hospitalization (184.4 ± 59.2 vs. 140.5 ± 31.4 mg/dl; P < .001). Mean blood glucose was reduced to 162.1 ± 41.8 mg/dl in the middle and 160.8 ± 43.3 mg/dl in the last 24 h of hospitalization in patients with BBC (P = .007), but did not change in the remaining patients. In 22.1% patients with treatment changes performed at discharge, HbA1c decreased from 8.2 ± 1.6 to 6.8 ± 1.6% at 2-6 months post-discharge (P = .019). CONCLUSIONS: The hyperglycemia treatment protocol applied by an endocrinologist in the hospital, allows the identification of the appropriate therapy and the improvement of the glycemic control during hospitalization and discharge, supporting its efficacy in clinical practice

Efficacy of a hyperglycemia treatment program in a Vascular Surgery Department supervised by Endocrinology. / Eficacia de un programa de tratamiento de la hiperglucemia en un Servicio de Cirugía Vascular supervisado por Endocrinología.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the strategy and efficacy of a hyperglycemia treatment program supervised by Endocrinology. METHODS: All patients with type 2 diabetes hospitalized at the vascular surgery department over a 12 month period were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical characteristics and hyperglycemia treatment during hospitalization, at discharge and 2-6 month after discharge were collected. Glycemic control was assessed using capillary blood glucose profiles and HbA1c at admission and 2-6 months post-discharge. RESULTS: A total of 140 hospitalizations of 123 patients were included. The protocol to choose the insulin regimen was applied in 96.4% of patients (22.8% correction dose, 23.6% basal-correction dose and 50% basal-bolus-correction dose [BBC]). Patients with BBC had higher HbA1c (7.7±1.5% vs. 6.7 ±0.8%; P<.001) and mean glycemia on the first day of hospitalization (184.4±59.2 vs. 140.5±31.4mg/dl; P<.001). Mean blood glucose was reduced to 162.1±41.8mg/dl in the middle and 160.8±43.3mg/dl in the last 24h of hospitalization in patients with BBC (P=.007), but did not change in the remaining patients. In 22.1% patients with treatment changes performed at discharge, HbA1c decreased from 8.2±1.6 to 6.8±1.6% at 2-6 months post-discharge (P=.019). CONCLUSIONS: The hyperglycemia treatment protocol applied by an endocrinologist in the hospital, allows the identification of the appropriate therapy and the improvement of the glycemic control during hospitalization and discharge, supporting its efficacy in clinical practice.