Constipation is more frequent than diarrhea in patients fed exclusively by enteral nutrition: results of an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Digestive complications in enteral nutrition (EN) can negatively affect the nutrition clinical outcome of hospitalized patients. Diarrhea and constipation are intestinal motility disorders associated with pharmacotherapy, hydration, nutrition status, and age. The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of these intestinal motility disorders in patients receiving EN and assess risk factors associated with diarrhea and constipation in hospitalized patients receiving exclusive EN therapy in a general hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors performed a sequential and observational study of 110 hospitalized adult patients fed exclusively by EN through a feeding tube. Patients were categorized according to the type of intestinal transit disorder as follows: group D (diarrhea, 3 or more watery evacuations in 24 hours), group C (constipation, less than 1 evacuation during 3 days), and group N (absence of diarrhea or constipation). All prescription drugs were recorded, and patients were analyzed according to the type and amount of medication received. The authors also investigated the presence of fiber in the enteral formula. RESULTS: Patients classified in group C represented 70% of the study population; group D comprised 13%, and group N represented 17%. There was an association between group C and orotracheal intubation as the indication for EN (P < .001). Enteral formula without fiber was associated with constipation (logistic regression analysis: P < .001). CONCLUSION: Constipation is more frequent than diarrhea in patients fed exclusively by EN. Enteral diet with fiber may protect against medication-associated intestinal motility disorders. The addition of prokinetic drugs seems to be useful in preventing constipation.

Antropometria e bioimpedância elétrica na doença celíaca / Anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance in celiac disease / La antropometría e impedancia bioeléctrica en la enfermedad celíaca

Objetivo: Para avaliar o perfil nutricional de doentes celíacos em primeira consulta, foram correlacionadas variáveis coletadas por pregas cutãneas e bioimpedância elétrica. Método: estudo retrospectivo com 15 pacientes atendidos em consultório de nutrição, sendo 10 do sexo masculino e 5 do sexo feminino. As variáveis antropométricas coletadas foram: peso atual, altura, índice de massa corporal (IMC), circunferência do braço (CB), circunferência muscular do braço (CMB) e prega cutãnea tricipital (PCT). As variáveis coletas foram: gordura corporal (GC) e massa magra (MM). Resultados: A média de IMC estava dentro dos padrões de eutrofia (de acordo com a OMS, 1997), enquanto que a média de porcentual de gordura estava acima da média 9de acordo com Lohman,1992). Foi encontrada correlação linear positiva entre a circunferência muscular braquial e a massa magra, bem como entre a gordura corporal e prega cutãnea tricipital. A doença celíaca preocupa os profissionais pela manutenção do estado nutricional do paciente, embora não tenham sido encontrados pacientes desnutridos no presente estudo. Conclusão: os métodos utilizados de antropometria e bioimpedância elétrica estão fortemente correlacionados, portanto, pode-se optar pelo método de antropometria para avaliação nutricional de pacientes, por ser facilmente aplicável e de baixo custo.

Objective: To evaluate the nutritional profile of celiac patients at first consultation were correlated variables collected by skinfolds and bioelectrical impedance. Method: retrospective study of 15 patients treated in the office of nutrition, being 10 males and five females. Anthropometric variables were collected: current weight, height, body mass index (BMI), arm circumference (AC), arm muscle circumference (MAMC) and triceps skinfold (TSF). The variables collected were: body fat (BF) and lean mass (MM). Results: The mean BMI was within the standards of normal range (according to WHO, 1997), while the average percentage of body fat was above average 9from According to Lohman, 1992). Positive linear correlation was found between arm muscle circumference and lean body mass, and between body fat and triceps skinfold. Celiac disease care professionals by maintaining the nutritional status of the patient, although they have not been found malnourished patients in this study. Conclusion: The methods used in anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance are strongly correlated, so one can choose the method of anthropometry to assess nutritional status of patients, because it is easily applicable and inexpensive.

Objetivo: evaluar el perfil nutricional de los pacientes celíacos en la primera consulta fueron recogidos por variables correlacionadas pliegues cutáneos e impedancia bioeléctrica. Método: Estudio retrospectivo de 15 pacientes tratados en las consultas de nutrición, siendo 10 varones y cinco hembras. Las variables antropométricas fueron conseguidas: peso actual, talla, índice de masa corporal (IMC), circunferencia del brazo (CB), circunferencia muscular del brazo (AMCM) y el pliegue del tríceps (TSF). Las variables recogidas fueron: la grasa corporal (BF) y la masa magra (MM). Resultados: El IMC promedio fue dentro de los estándares de la gama normal (según la OMS, 1997), mientras que el porcentaje medio de grasa corporal por encima de promedio 9from Según Lohman, 1992). correlación lineal positiva entre la circunferencia muscular del brazo y la masa corporal magra, y entre la grasa corporal y el pliegue del tríceps. Celíaca enfermedades profesionales de la atención por el mantenimiento del estado nutricional del paciente, aunque no se han encontrado los pacientes con malnutrición en este estudio. Conclusión: Los métodos utilizados en antropometría e impedancia bioeléctrica están estrechamente correlacionados, por lo que uno puede elegir el método de la antropometría para evaluar el estado nutricional de los pacientes, porque es de fácil aplicación y bajo costo.