Chronic Diseases and COVID-19: A Review.

The existence of a causal relationship between the rise of the death rate in COVID-19 infected patients and their sufferance from non-communicable pathophysiological conditions, particularly chronic diseases, was recently evidenced. In fact, in addition to the immunodeficiency generated by chronic disease conditions, COVID-19 also led to affect the immune system. Furthermore, the novel coronavirus attacks the lungs and other vital organs such as heart, kidneys, and brain. All these outcomes are accused of being involved in the increasing vulnerability and comorbidity in COVID-19- infected people with chronic diseases. Pharmacological, dietetic and natural approaches were suggested after deep bibliographic research for presenting preventive recommendations for this category of patients in order to avoid the fatal complications of this infection, and consequently limiting the risk of comorbidity. In this regard, some medications could enter into interaction with COVID-19 infection in patients with diabetes or hypertension and thereafter lead to fatal complications. Furthermore, regarding their nutritional values, some foods are more useful than others during this pandemic period because they are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and perhaps some bioactive phytochemicals, which are known to be effective in improving immune response, managing chronic diseases and/or having antiviral activities. In addition, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, prebiotics and probiotics could be helpful in these conditions. Interestingly, in order to understand the mechanism of this causality and suggesting efficacious solutions, this review deserves considerable epidemiologic, clinical and experimental investigations.

Special Issue "Flavonoids and Their Disease Prevention and Treatment Potential": Recent Advances and Future Perspectives.

In recent years, the interest in flavonoids as dietary bioactives to prevent human diseases, as well as their candidacy as pharmaceutical leads, has exponentially expanded [...].

Eating during the Hemodialysis Session: A Practice Improving Nutritional Status or a Risk Factor for Intradialytic Hypotension and Reduced Dialysis Adequacy?

Historically, eating during the hemodialysis treatment has been associated with increased risk for adverse intradialytic symptoms and events, risks that have resulted in the implementation of restrictive in-center nutrition policies. Recent studies, however, have recorded a shift in clinical practice with a higher proportion of physicians following the view that administration of intradialytic meals and supplements represents a simple and effective approach to enhance caloric intake and improve nutritional status among patients on hemodialysis. This shift towards less restrictive in-center nutrition practices is mainly supported by evidence from observational studies associating intradialytic nutritional supplementation with improvements in protein-energy wasting, inflammatory state, and health-related quality of life. In sharp contrast, earlier and recent interventional studies have documented that feeding during the hemodialysis treatment provokes a rapid postprandial decline in blood pressure and raises the incidence of symptomatic intradialytic hypotension. Furthermore, other studies have shown that postprandial redistribution in intravascular volume and enhanced blood supply to the gastrointestinal circulation may interfere with the adequacy of the delivered hemodialysis. Those who defend the position that intradialytic nutritional support is beneficial do not dispute the physiology of postprandial hemodynamic response, but they argue against its clinical significance. In this article, we provide an overview of studies that explored the effect of eating during the hemodialysis treatment on intradialytic hemodynamic stability and adequacy of the delivered hemodialysis. We reason that these risks have important clinical implications that are not counteracted by anticipated benefits of this strategy on caloric intake and nutritional status.

The Molecular Link from Diet to Cancer Cell Metabolism.

Malignant cells remodel their metabolism to meet the demands of uncontrolled cell proliferation. These demands lead to differential requirements in energy, biosynthetic precursors, and signaling intermediates. Both genetic programs arising from oncogenic events and transcriptional programs and epigenomic events are important in providing the necessary metabolic network activity. Accumulating evidence has established that environmental factors play a major role in shaping cancer cell metabolism. For metabolism, diet and nutrition are the major environmental aspects and have emerged as key components in determining cancer cell metabolism. In this review, we discuss these emerging concepts in cancer metabolism and how diet and nutrition influence cancer cell metabolism.

Gastrointestinal taste receptors: could tastants become drugs?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Numerous studies have pointed to profound nongustatory roles of tastants and the corresponding taste receptors expressed in the alimentary canal in the modulation of digestive and metabolic functions. Already in early reports, the intriguing possibility to use tastants as drug-like effectors for the treatment of metabolic diseases was raised. With this review, focusing on the most recent literature, we intend to question how close we meanwhile came to the initial promise - the use of tastants as medicines. RECENT FINDINGS: Although the enormous complexity and experimental variability of studies investigating the effects of tastants on physiological functions still has not revealed a common fundament from which subsequent therapeutic measures could be designed, more and more evidence is mounting on an involvement of taste receptors and taste signaling molecules in the maintenance and fine regulation of gastrointestinal functions and immunity. SUMMARY: Although the initial goal - using tastants to treat metabolic disorders - has, by far, not been reached, numerous promising findings suggest that dietary interventions could be devised to support conventional therapies in the future.

Pero, doctor, ¿entonces qué puedo comer? / So doctor, what could I eat then?

Introducción: las estrictas restricciones dietéticas que imponemos en la enfermedad renal crónica avanzada (ERCA) tienen un impacto negativo en la calidad de vida. Objetivo: determinar si estas restricciones están justificadas y si un programa de educación nutricional mejoraría los parámetros de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS). Material y métodos: realizamos un ensayo clínico de intervención educativa, unicéntrico, randomizado y controlado en los pacientes de la consulta ERCA de Albacete. Se incluyeron 75 pacientes, 35 en el grupo control y 40 en el de intervención. Se realizó la valoración nutricional mediante valoración global subjetiva (VGS) e índice de masa corporal (IMC). Para medir la CVRS se empleó el cuestionario de salud SF-36. En el grupo intervención se realizó la intervención nutricional individual, colectiva y por recuerdo telefónico, adaptando a cada paciente el consejo dietético y ajustando las restricciones de forma personalizada. Resultados: la malnutrición medida por VGS fue del 20% en el grupo control y del 29,3% en el grupo intervención, donde mejoró aunque no fue significativo. El IMC mostró sobrepeso con una media de 28,83 (DE: 5,4) y 26,96 kg/m2 (DE: 4,09) respectivamente, sin cambios a lo largo del estudio. La intervención nutricional supuso una mejoría en las puntuaciones de todas las subescalas excepto en el dolor corporal. Además, los componentes físico y mental también mejoraron sus puntuaciones en el grupo intervención y empeoraron significativamente (p < 0,001) en el control. Conclusiones: la calidad de vida se puede mejorar en los pacientes con ERCA aplicando un programa de educación nutricional

Introduction: the strict dietary recommendations we impose on patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (ACKD) have negative impact on quality of life. Objective: determine whether such restrictions are justified and if an educational program can improve health-related quality of life (HRQL) parameters. Methods: we carried out an educational intervention, single center, randomized, controlled clinical trial on ACKD outpatients in Albacete. Seventy-five patients were included, 35 in the control group and 40 in the intervention group. Nutritional assessment was based on the Subjetive Global Assessment (SGA) and body mass index (BMI). We used the SF-36 health questionnaire to measure HRQL. In the intervention group we carried out individual, collective and telephone nutritional interventions, adapting diet advice and restrictions in a personalized way. Results: malnutrition measured by Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) in the control group was 20%; meanwhile, in the intervention group it was 29.3% and it improved at the end of the study, but not significantly. BMI showed overweight with a mean of 28.83 kg/m² (DE: 5.4) and 26.96 kg/m² (DE: 4.09), respectively, and did not change throughout the study. The nutritional intervention improved the score in all the subscales except for body pain score. Besides, mental and physical components also improved their scores in the intervention group and worsened them in the control group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: quality of life can be improved in ACKD patients applying an educational nutrition program

Physiological changes after spa treatment - a focus on endocrinology.

The paper presents the results of our effort to reveal objective parameters for evaluation of the spa treatment for patients with anxiety-depressive disorders. The study was based on our previous experience with neuroactive steroids and neurosteroids, which play a crucial role in the psychological well-being of patients by maintaining balance of the organism. A total number of 94 steroids were determinated in a group of 70 female patients diagnosed with anxiety-depressive disorders. Patients underwent a month spa treatment while maintaining unchanged medication dosing with SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). The other investigated factors contributing to improving the health of treated subjects were amino-acid homocysteine and serotonin. The blood samples were collected at the beginning and the end of the spa treatment. Serotonin in all patients increased by a relative 23 % (results given as relative differences in percent), while homocysteine decreased by 17.1 %. Statistically significant increases were found in 21 steroids, which indicate activation of the adrenal cortex. It can be assumed, that the overall improvement in the mental condition of patients, which was proved by questionnaire from Knobloch and Hausner, the increase in immune suppressive substances and anti-autoimmune responses, will maintain for a longer time after the spa treatment.

Epilepsy treatment patterns among patients with tuberous sclerosis complex.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare congenital disorder often associated with epilepsy. However, real-world treatment patterns for epilepsy in patients with TSC are not yet well categorized. METHODS: This study included patients with TSC and epilepsy from fifteen clinics in the United States and one in Belgium who were enrolled in the TSC Natural History Database (2006-2014). Patient demographics and epilepsy treatment patterns, including the use of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), epilepsy surgeries, and dietary therapies were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 1328 patients with TSC in the database, 1110 (83.6%) were diagnosed with epilepsy. The median age of epilepsy diagnosis was 0.7 years. Of those who received treatment for epilepsy (92.3%), 99.5% were prescribed AEDs, 25.3% underwent surgery, 7.9% were prescribed special diets, and 1% were prescribed mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors. Of the patients receiving AEDs, over half (64.5%) used ≥3 different AEDs, and 22.5% underwent surgical treatment following AED initiation. Of the patients who underwent surgery, 35.1% had subsequent surgery. CONCLUSION: The use of multiple AEDs and surgical interventions may indicate a need for new therapies to reduce the treatment burden among patients with TSC and epilepsy.

Diets, functional foods, and nutraceuticals as alternative therapies for inflammatory bowel disease: Present status and future trends.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a serious health concern among western societies. The disease is also on the rise in some East Asian countries and in Australia. Health professionals and dietitians around the world are facing an unprecedented challenge to prevent and control the increasing prevalence of IBD. The current therapeutic strategy that includes drugs and biological treatments is inefficient and are associated with adverse health consequences. In this context, the use of natural products is gaining worldwide attention. In vivo studies and clinical evidence suggest that well-planned dietary regimens with specific nutrients can alleviate gastrointestinal inflammation by modulating inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6, IL-1ß, and IL-10. Alternatively, the avoidance of high-fat and high-carbohydrate diets is regarded as an effective tool to eliminate the causes of IBD. Many functional foods and bioactive components have received attention for showing strong therapeutic effects against IBD. Both animal and human studies suggest that bioactive functional foods can ameliorate IBD by downregulating the pro-inflammatory signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor κB, STAT1, STAT6, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1ß, IL-4, IL-6, COX-2, TNF-α, and interferon γ. Therefore, functional foods and diets have the potential to alleviate IBD by modulating the underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Future comprehensive studies are needed to corroborate the potential roles of functional foods and diets in the prevention and control of IBD.

A Cross-sectional Study of Nutritional Status, Diet, and Dietary Restrictions Among Persons With an Ileostomy or Colostomy.

Little is known about the nutritional status and dietary habits of persons with an intestinal stoma, and no specific dietary guidelines have been established. A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients of a Stoma Patient Health Care Service in Juiz de Fora, Brazil, to compare the nutritional status of persons with an ileostomy or colostomy and to evaluate which foods are avoided most frequently and why. Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, arm circumference, and triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness) and body fat were assessed. Habitual dietary intake (energy, protein, carbohydrate, fiber, fat, calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, vitamin B3 [niacin], and vitamin B12) was assessed using a validated quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Foods avoided and reasons for avoidance (increased odor, increased gas, increased output, constipation, appliance leakage, and feelings regarding leaving home) were assessed. All data were collected without personal identifiers and stored in electronic files. Data were analyzed descriptively, and the Student's t test or Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the groups. Chi-squared analysis with Yates' continuity correction or Fisher's exact test was employed to examine the differences in the frequency of avoided foods by reasons for avoidance between the 2 groups. Of the 103 participants (52 [50.5%] men, 51 [49.5%] women; mean age 60.5 ± 12.9 years); 63 (61.2%) had a colostomy and 40 (38.8%) had an ileostomy. For both groups combined, time since surgery ranged from 1 to 360 months. Anthropometric measurements and body composition did not suggest nutritional deficiencies and did not differ significantly between groups. Persons with an ileostomy had a significantly lower fat and niacin intake than persons with a colostomy (P <.05). No other dietary intake differences were observed. Avoiding foods due to appliance leakage was more common among participants with an ileostomy (8, 20%) than a colostomy (3, 4.8%), and vegetables and fruits were reported as the most problematic foods. None of the other cited reasons was significantly different. The results of this study confirm that many persons with a stoma adjust their dietary intake and avoid certain foods which, especially in persons with an ileostomy, may increase their risk for nutritional deficiencies. Additional research to assess dietary intake and nutritional status variables as well as patient needs is needed to facilitate the development of specific nutritional status monitoring and dietary recommendations for persons with an ileostomy or colostomy.

Evidence-based nutritional and pharmacological interventions targeting chronic low-grade inflammation in middle-age and older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Growing evidence suggests chronic low-grade inflammation (LGI) as a possible mechanism underlying the aging process. Some biological and pharmaceutical compounds may reduce systemic inflammation and potentially avert functional decline occurring with aging. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to examine the association of pre-selected interventions on two established biomarkers of inflammation, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in middle-age and older adults with chronic LGI. We reviewed the literature on potential anti-inflammatory compounds, selecting them based on safety, tolerability, acceptability, innovation, affordability, and evidence from randomized controlled trials. Six compounds met all five inclusion criteria for our systematic review and meta-analysis: angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), metformin, omega-3, probiotics, resveratrol and vitamin D. We searched in MEDLINE, PubMed and EMBASE database until January 2017. A total of 49 articles fulfilled the selection criteria. Effect size of each study and pooled effect size for each compound were measured by the standardized mean difference. I2 was computed to measure heterogeneity of effects across studies. The following compounds showed a significant small to large effect in reducing IL-6 levels: probiotics (-0.68 pg/ml), ARBs (-0.37 pg/ml) and omega-3 (-0.19 pg/ml). For CRP, a significant small to medium effect was observed with probiotics (-0.43 mg/L), ARBs (-0.2 mg/L), omega-3 (-0.17 mg/L) and metformin (-0.16 mg/L). Resveratrol and vitamin D were not associated with any significant reductions in either biomarker. These results suggest that nutritional and pharmaceutical compounds can significantly reduce established biomarkers of systemic inflammation in middle-age and older adults. The findings should be interpreted with caution, however, due to the evidence of heterogeneity across the studies.

Asistencia telefónica en la adherencia a la práctica de una dieta saludable de los pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 / Suporte telefônico na adesão á alimentação saudável de pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 2 / Telephone support for adherence to healthy eating practices among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objetivo: Investigar los efectos de la asistencia telefónica en la adhesión a la práctica de una dieta saludable de los pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Métodos: Se realizó un ensayo clínico que involucró a 63 pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2, 36 pacientes asignados al grupo de intervención (G1) y 27 en el grupo control (G2). Para el G1 se llevó a cabo una intervención de asistencia telefónica que correspondía a cuatro llamadas telefónicas que abordan: la planificación de comidas, tipos y porciones de comida y la comida sana. Para G2, se llevó a cabo la atención habitual en sus unidades. Los efectos de la asistencia telefónica en la dieta sana se midieron al inicio del estudio (T1) y después de la intervención (T2) en cuatro meses. Resultados: En G1, 16 (44,44%) pacientes se unieron en T1, disminuyendo para 14 (38.88%) en T2. En el G2, 08 (29,62%) pacientes se unieron en T1 y aumentó a 09 (33,33%) en T2. Hubo un aumento del consumo de frutas y verduras, reducción el consumo de alimentos ricos en grasas y alta en la tasa de azúcar, así como un aumento en el fraccionamiento de las comidas después de la intervención en G1. Hubo una diferencia significativa en la reducción de los niveles de glucosa en ayuno en los pacientes no adherentes y em la reducción de Hb1Ac entre los pacientes adherente G1. Conclusión: Los efectos de la asistencia telefónica después de la intervención de cuatro meses resultó insuficiente para aumentar la adherencia a una alimentación sana, pero observó un aumento del consumo de frutas y verduras y la disminución del consumo de alimentos ricos en grasas y alto contenido de azúcar y refrescos

Objetivo: Verificar os efeitos do suporte telefônico na adesão á prática de uma alimentação saudável de pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Métodos: Tratou-se de um ensaio clínico do qual participaram 63 pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo 2, sendo 36 pacientes alocados para o grupo intervenção (G1) e 27 para o grupo controle (G2). Para o G1, foi conduzida uma intervenção de suporte telefônico que correspondeu a quatro ligações telefônicas abordando: planejamento alimentar, tipos e porções de alimentos e alimentos saudáveis. Para o G2, foi conduzido o cuidado usual em sua unidade de saúde. Os efeitos do suporte telefônico na alimentação saudável foram medidos no início (T1) e após a intervenção (T2) em quatro meses. Resultados: No G1, 16 (44,44%) pacientes aderiram no T1, diminuindo para 14 (38,88%) no T2. No G2, 08 (29,62%) pacientes aderiram no T1 e aumentou para 09 (33,33%) no T2. Houve aumento do consumo de frutas, verduras e legumes, redução do consumo de alimentos gordurosos e ricos em açúcar além de aumento no fracionamento das refeições após a intervenção no G1. Observou-se diferença significativa na redução da glicemia de jejum entre os pacientes não aderentes e na redução da Hb1Ac entre os pacientes aderentes do G1. Conclusão: Os efeitos do suporte telefônico após a intervenção de quatro meses mostrou-se insuficiente para aumentar a adesão à alimentação saudável, porém observamos o aumento de consumo de frutas, verduras e legumes e diminuição do consumo de alimentos gordurosos e ricos em açúcar e refrigerantes

Objective: To verify the effects of telephone support on adherence to healthy eating practices among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: This was a clinical trial with 63 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus; 36 patients were allocated to the intervention group (G1) and 27 patients to the control group (G2). For G1, telephone support was provided, consisting of four telephone calls addressing food planning, types and portions of food, and healthy foods. For G2, normal care was given in their health facility. The effects of telephone support on healthy eating were measured at baseline (T1) and at four months after the intervention (T2). Results: In G1, 16 (44.44%) patients joined at T1, which dropped to 14 (38.88%) by T2. In G2, 8 (29.62%) patients started at T1 and the number rose to 9 (33.33%) by T2. After the G1 intervention, there was an increase in the consumption of fruits and vegetables, a reduction in the consumption of fatty foods and foods high in sugar, and an increase in meal frequency. A significant difference was noted in reduced fasting blood glucose among non-adherent patients and reduced Hb1Ac among adherent patients from G1. Conclusion: The four-month intervention using telephone support proved insufficient to increase adherence to healthy eating. However, there was an increase in consumption of fruits and vegetables and a decrease in the consumption of fatty foods, foods high in sugar, and soft drinks

Inflammageing and metaflammation: The yin and yang of type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterised by chronic low-grade inflammation, recently referred to as 'metaflammation', a relevant factor contributing to the development of both diabetes and its complications. Nonetheless, 'canonical' anti-inflammatory drugs do not yield satisfactory results in terms of prevention of diabetes progression and of cardiovascular events, suggesting that the causal mechanisms fostering metaflammation deserve further research to identify new druggable targets. Metaflammation resembles ageing-induced low-grade inflammation, previously referred to as inflammageing, in terms of clinical presentation and the molecular profile, pointing to a common aetiology for both conditions. Along with the mechanisms proposed to fuel inflammageing, here we dissect a plethora of pathological cascades triggered by gluco- and lipotoxicity, converging on candidate phenomena possibly explaining the enduring pro-inflammatory program observed in diabetic tissues, i.e. persistent immune-system stimulation, accumulation of senescent cells, epigenetic rearrangements, and alterations in microbiota composition. We discuss the possibility of harnessing these recent discoveries in future therapies for T2DM. Moreover, we review recent evidence regarding the ability of diets and physical exercise to modulate selected inflammatory pathways relevant for the diabetic pathology. Finally, we examine the latest findings showing putative anti-inflammatory mechanisms of anti-hyperglycaemic agents with proven efficacy against T2DM-induced cardiovascular complications, in order to gain insights into quickly translatable therapeutic approaches.

Dietary therapies for functional bowel symptoms: Recent advances, challenges, and future directions.

BACKGROUND: Functional gastrointestinal symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and quiescent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) cause significant morbidity and a reduction in quality of life. Multiple dietary therapies are now available to treat these symptoms, but supporting evidence for many is limited. In addition to a further need for studies demonstrating efficacy and mechanism of action of dietary therapies, the risk of nutritional inadequacy, alterations to the microbiome and changes in quality of life are key concerns requiring elucidation. Identifying predictors of response to dietary therapy is an important goal as management could be tailored to the individual to target specific dietary components, and thereby reduce the level of dietary restriction necessary. PURPOSE: This review discusses the available dietary therapies to treat symptoms in patients with IBS and patients with quiescent IBD suffering from IBS symptoms, with the aim to understand where current dietary evidence lies and how to move forward in dietary research in this field.

Poor cognitive ageing: Vulnerabilities, mechanisms and the impact of nutritional interventions.

BACKGROUND: Ageing is a highly complex process marked by a temporal cascade of events, which promote alterations in the normal functioning of an individual organism. The triggers of normal brain ageing are not well understood, even less so the factors which initiate and steer the neuronal degeneration, which underpin disorders such as dementia. A wealth of data on how nutrients and diets may support cognitive function and preserve brain health are available, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying their biological action in both normal ageing, age-related cognitive decline, and in the development of neurodegenerative disorders have not been clearly elucidated. OBJECTIVES: This review aims to summarise the current state of knowledge of vulnerabilities that predispose towards dysfunctional brain ageing, highlight potential protective mechanisms, and discuss dietary interventions that may be used as therapies. A special focus of this paper is on the impact of nutrition on neuroprotection and the underlying molecular mechanisms, and this focus reflects the discussions held during the 2nd workshop 'Nutrition for the Ageing Brain: Functional Aspects and Mechanisms' in Copenhagen in June 2016. The present review is the most recent in a series produced by the Nutrition and Mental Performance Task Force under the auspice of the International Life Sciences Institute Europe (ILSI Europe). CONCLUSION: Coupling studies of cognitive ageing with studies investigating the effect of nutrition and dietary interventions as strategies targeting specific mechanisms, such as neurogenesis, protein clearance, inflammation, and non-coding and microRNAs is of high value. Future research on the impact of nutrition on cognitive ageing will need to adopt a longitudinal approach and multimodal nutritional interventions will likely need to be imposed in early-life to observe significant impact in older age.

Concordance between modification of diet in renal disease, chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration and Cockcroft-Gault equations in patients with chronic kidney disease at St. Paul's hospital millennium medical college, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: The most commonly used glomerular filtration rate estimating equations for drug dosing are Cockcroft-Gault (CG), Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations. However there is still a concern about whether to use MDRD and CKD-EPI interchangeably with CG for drug dosage adjustment. METHODS: The study was initiated to determine the concordance between MDRD, CKD-EPI and CG equations and associated factors in patients with chronic kidney disease at Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC). This was a cross sectional study which involved patient chart review and physicians self-administered questionnaire. Serum creatinine level ≥ 1.2 mg/dL was used as a cutoff point in pre-selection of patients. The correctness of the drug dose prescribed for the level of renal function were compared to the drug database (Lexi-Comp) available through Up-to-date version 21.2. RESULTS: Among the total of 422 patients, 249 (59%) were males. Mean age of patients was 46.09 years. The use of MDRD equation for drug dose adjustment by physicians working in the renal clinic of SPHMMC was six out of nine physicians. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the CG with MDRD and CKD-EPI equations was r = 0.94, P < 0.001 and r = 0.95, P < 0.001, respectively. The concordance between the CG with MDRD and CKD-EPI equations for FDA assigned kidney function categories was 73.7%, Kappa = 0.644 and 74.9%, Kappa = 0.659, respectively. Concordance between the CG with MDRD and CKD-EPI equations for the drug dosing recommendation was 89.6%, kappa = 0.782 and 92%, kappa = 0.834, respectively. Age > 70 years was associated with discordance between CG and MDRD equations for drug dosing recommendation whereas serum creatinine 1.2-3.5 mg/dL, weight < 61 Kg and age > 70 years were associated with discordance between the CG with MDRD and CKD-EPI equations for FDA assigned kidney function categories. However, none of the factors associated with discordance between CG and CKD-EPI for drug dosing. CONCLUSION: MDRD equation can be used interchangeably with CG equation for drug dosing recommended in all adult patients between the age of 18 and 70 years. CKD-EPI can be used interchangeably with CG in all adult Ethiopian patients with CKD.

The challenges of control groups, placebos and blinding in clinical trials of dietary interventions.

High-quality placebo-controlled evidence for food, nutrient or dietary advice interventions is vital for verifying the role of diet in optimising health or for the management of disease. This could be argued to be especially important where the benefits of dietary intervention are coupled with potential risks such as compromising nutrient intake, particularly in the case of exclusion diets. The objective of the present paper is to explore the challenges associated with clinical trials in dietary research, review the types of controls used and present the advantages and disadvantages of each, including issues regarding placebos and blinding. Placebo-controlled trials in nutrient interventions are relatively straightforward, as in general placebos can be easily produced. However, the challenges associated with conducting placebo-controlled food interventions and dietary advice interventions are protean, and this has led to a paucity of placebo-controlled food and dietary advice trials compared with drug trials. This review appraises the types of controls used in dietary intervention trials and provides recommendations and nine essential criteria for the design and development of sham diets for use in studies evaluating the effect of dietary advice, along with practical guidance regarding their evaluation. The rationale for these criteria predominantly relate to avoiding altering the outcome of interest in those delivered the sham intervention in these types of studies, while not compromising blinding.

Peculiarities of the obese patient with cancer: a national consensus statement by the Spanish Society for the Study of Obesity and the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology

The relationship between obesity and cancer is clear and is present at all times during course of the disease. The importance of obesity in increasing the risk of developing cancer is well known, and some of the most prevalent tumours (breast, colorectal, and prostate) are directly related to this risk increase. However, there is less information available on the role that obesity plays when the patient has already been diagnosed with cancer. Certain data demonstrate that in some types of cancer, obese patients tolerate the treatments more poorly. Obesity is also known to have an impact on the prognosis, favouring lower survival rates or the appearance of secondary tumours. In this consensus statement, we will analyse the scientific evidence on the role that obesity plays in patients already diagnosed with cancer, and the available data on how obesity control can improve the quality of daily life for the cancer patient (AU)

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