Past, Present, and Future of Noninvasive Tests to Assess Gluten Exposure, Celiac Disease Activity, and End-Organ Damage.

Although many biomarkers have been proposed, and several are in widespread clinical use, there is no single readout or combination of readouts that correlates tightly with gluten exposure, disease activity, or end-organ damage in treated patients with celiac disease. Challenges to developing and evaluating better biomarkers include significant interindividual variability-related to immune amplification of gluten exposure and how effects of immune activation are manifest. Furthermore, the current "gold standard" for assessment of end-organ damage, small intestinal biopsy, is itself highly imperfect, such that a marker that is a better reflection of the "ground truth" may indeed appear to perform poorly. The goal of this review was to analyze past and present efforts to establish robust noninvasive tools for monitoring treated patients with celiac disease and to highlight emerging tools that may prove to be useful in clinical practice.

With or without biopsy in coeliac children?-Impact on dietary compliance and quality of life.

Critics of the ESPGHAN guidelines on CD question the acceptance of the no-biopsy policy by patients and parents against the backdrop of a lifelong diagnosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the no-biopsy approach on dietary adherence and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). In this retrospective cohort study, patients ≤ 18 years diagnosed with CD between 2007 and 2017 were sent two questionnaires: a dietary interview and a CD-specific HRQOL questionnaire (CDDUX). Included patients were divided into group A (with biopsies <2012), B (with biopsies >2012) and C (without biopsies >2012). Fisher exact test and ANOVA were used to analyze the impact of the new diagnostic strategy. Forty-seven percent (82/173 patients) consented to participate in the study. Of them, 63% had a biopsy-confirmed diagnosis (40% before 2012 (group A), 23% after 2012 (group B)), and 37% were diagnosed without biopsies (group C). Dietary compliance was similar in all groups (p = 0.67). Group A scored significantly better on the subscale 'Having CD' compared to both groups diagnosed after 2012 (p = 0.003). Group A and group C seemed to score better on the total CDDUCX score when compared to group B (86 and 80% versus 61% respectively, p = 0.13). This was also observed within the subscale Diet; Group A and C scored significantly better than group B (62 and 72% versus 39% respectively, p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Omitting duodenal biopsies in the diagnostic approach of our CD cohort had no adverse effect on dietary adherence and HRQOL. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Since the publication of the ESPGHAN guideline of 2012, duodenal biopsies are no longer obligatory in the diagnostic approach of CD if IgA-antibodies for transglutaminase 2 are ≥10× ULN, endomysial antibodies are positive in a second blood sample and the patient/family agrees with the no-biopsy approach. • Literature on the effect of the no-biopsy approach on dietary adherence and HRQOL is scarce. WHAT IS NEW: • Omitting duodenal biopsies does not influence dietary adherence and quality of life. • In our cohort, lower quality of life measured with the CDDUX subscale 'Having CD' is more likely to be related to shorter disease duration than to the diagnostic approach.

Actions speak louder than words: Home visits and its effect on dietary adherence in patients with phenylketonuria.

AIM: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inherited metabolic disorder in which accumulation of phenylalanine (Phe) leads to poor neurological outcomes without treatment. Dietary therapy is the main treatment and nonadherence is associated with elevated blood Phe levels and correspondingly poor neuropsychiatric outcomes. This study aimed to examine the effect of home visits on blood Phe levels in PKU patients. METHODS: Sixty-five paediatric PKU patients who were on low-phenylalanine diet were visited monthly at home for 6 months. At each visit, dietary education was provided, patients' height and weight were measured and blood samples were collected. RESULTS: Twenty-eight (43.1%) patients had classic PKU and 37 (56.9%) had moderate PKU. Blood Phe levels decreased statistically significant at first, second, fifth, and sixth months compared with screening visit. Blood Phe levels in moderate PKU patients decreased significantly at the last visit unlike classic PKU patients. A significant decrease in blood Phe levels was observed in patients older than 10 years. Anthropometric parameters improved. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary nonadherence is the main treatment failure in PKU. Home visits for education are a promising way to improve treatment outcomes by providing quality education, better assessment, and correction of mistakes but they should be ongoing and supported by different interventions that address patients' special needs.

Barriers to and Strategies for Dietary Adherence: A Qualitative Study Among Hemodialysis/Peritoneal Dialysis Patients and Health Care Providers.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were: (1) investigate hemodialysis (HD)/peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients' barriers to dietary adherence, (2) identify strategies to overcome these barriers, and (3) examine dialysis providers' perceptions toward patients' barriers to dietary adherence and strategies to overcome these barriers. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive approach was conducted from February-May 2022. A total of 21 HD/PD participants and 11 health care providers participated in individual interviews. HD/PD participants also responded to a 57-item food frequency questionnaire. Six months of serum laboratory values were obtained from the medical charts. Content analysis methodology was used to identify themes. Mann-Whitney U tests were conducted to examine diet quality and laboratory values of the HD and PD participants using SPSS v.27 with statistical significance of P < .05. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) diet quality score for HD/PD patients was 36 (26-43) with no differences observed between the patient populations. Mann-Whitney U tests showed no differences between serum laboratory values between the patient populations. Barriers identified by the HD/PD patients were communication/patient education and dietary habits. Barriers identified by the health care providers were communication/patient education and socioeconomic status. Strategies to overcome these barriers were enhancing communication between all parties involved in the care and tailoring educational information to the patient's background. CONCLUSIONS: Communication and patient education were themes identified among both health care providers and patients. Therefore, open communication among the patients and providers and enhancement of the nutrition education handouts may improve dietary adherence.

Factors associated with successful dietary changes in an energy-reduced Mediterranean diet intervention: a longitudinal analysis in the PREDIMED-Plus trial.

PURPOSE: Long-term nutrition trials may fail to respond to their original hypotheses if participants do not comply with the intended dietary intervention. We aimed to identify baseline factors associated with successful dietary changes towards an energy-reduced Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) in the PREDIMED-Plus randomized trial. METHODS: Longitudinal analysis of 2985 participants (Spanish overweight/obese older adults with metabolic syndrome) randomized to the active intervention arm of the PREDIMED-Plus trial. Dietary changes were assessed with a 17-item energy-reduced MedDiet questionnaire after 6 and 12 months of follow-up. Successful compliance was defined as dietary changes from baseline of ≥ 5 points for participants with baseline scores < 13 points or any increase if baseline score was ≥ 13 points. We conducted crude and adjusted multivariable logistic regression models to identify baseline factors related to compliance. RESULTS: Consistent factors independently associated with successful dietary change at both 6 and 12 months were high baseline perceived self-efficacy in modifying diet (OR6-month: 1.51, 95% CI 1.25-1.83; OR12-month: 1.66, 95% CI 1.37-2.01), higher baseline fiber intake (OR6-month: 1.62, 95% CI 1.07-2.46; OR12-month: 1.62, 95% CI 1.07-2.45), having > 3 chronic conditions (OR6-month: 0.65, 95% CI 0.53-0.79; OR12-month: 0.76, 95% CI 0.62-0.93), and suffering depression (OR6-month: 0.80, 95% CI 0.64-0.99; OR12-month: 0.71, 95% CI 0.57-0.88). CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that recruitment of individuals with high perceived self-efficacy to dietary change, and those who initially follow diets relatively richer in fiber may lead to greater changes in nutritional recommendations. Participants with multiple chronic conditions, specifically depression, should receive specific tailored interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN registry 89898870, 24th July 2014 retrospectively registered http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN89898870 .

Maintaining cultural identity: A systematic mixed studies review of cultural influences on the self-care of African immigrants living with non-communicable disease.

AIM: To understand and identify cultural factors influencing the self-care practices of African immigrants living with chronic illness in countries outside Africa. BACKGROUND: The influence of cultural factors on self-care is relatively unexplored in African immigrants with non-communicable diseases (NCDs). DESIGN: Systematic Mixed Studies review. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Psych Info, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Anthropology Plus and Sociological Abstract computerized databases. No limit was placed on publication date. REVIEW METHODS: Results-based convergent design was used. The Mixed Method Appraisal Tool was used to evaluate the studies. Quantitative studies were synthesized narratively while qualitative studies were synthesized using thematic synthesis. RESULTS: We identified 251 articles and nine fulfilled our inclusion criteria. The studies were published between 2006 and 2019, with six qualitative and three quantitative studies. Studies were conducted in the United States, Australia, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Most studies examined the influence of culture on self-care of diabetes (n = 6), while the rest focused on hypertension (n = 3). Findings highlight that cultural norms and practices, non-Western approaches to interpreting and managing illness, cultural connotations of health behaviours and structural challenges influencing self-care. Cultural food preferences made adherence to prescribed diets challenging. Family support facilitated self-care. Maintaining cultural identity was both a driver and constraint to engaging in self-care. CONCLUSION: The complex interplay of cultural and structural factors influences the willingness of Africans who have immigrated to a developed country to follow recommended self-care practices. Considering these cultural norms and structural barriers can help to explain the self-care behaviours of African immigrant populations. IMPACT: Clinicians and policymakers who account for structural factors and integrate cultural factors into care facilities, treatment protocols and policy can be influential in promoting self-care in African immigrant populations.

Invited Commentary: Learning From Our Past to Build on Our Future- Lessons Learned From MRFIT and JUMBO.

We propose that Blackburn (Am J Epidemiol. 2020;189(6):491-498) ignores several important issues that need to be considered in the context of a historical reflection of the National Heart Institute's landmark study, the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT), and the alternative proposal, the "JUMBO" trial, submitted to the National Heart Institute by an experienced team of extramural investigators but never funded. A key focus of this commentary is to offer an alternative perspective on both studies using our current understanding of the impact of social and structural determinants of health; evidence that policy, systems, and environmental interventions are needed to support behavior change at the individual level; and the significance of examining research from a racial/socioeconomic equity lens. While we strongly agree with Blackburn's conclusion urging the National Institutes of Health to invest in prevention research at a level consistent with its social and economic impact, we encourage the author to move beyond simply underscoring the methodological limitations and failure of the findings of MRFIT compared with the potential of the proposed JUMBO trial to consider the contribution of MRFIT to our current understanding of chronic disease prevention and treatment.

Long-term dietary adherence and changes in dietary intake in coronary patients after intervention with a Mediterranean diet or a low-fat diet: the CORDIOPREV randomized trial.

PURPOSE: Adherence to a healthy dietary pattern positively influences clinical outcomes in cardiovascular prevention, but long-term adherence is difficult to maintain. We evaluated 5-year changes in dietary habits, adherence achieved, and its maintenance in a cohort of coronary patients from the CORDIOPREV study. METHODS: 1002 coronary patients were randomized to a Mediterranean diet (n = 502) or a low-fat diet (n = 500) and received individual-group-telephone visits and personalized dietary advice. A validated food-frequency questionnaire, a 14-point Mediterranean diet adherence screener, and a 9-point low-fat diet adherence score were used. Dietary adherence was categorized into Low, Medium, and High Adherence. Changes in nutrient intake, food consumption, and adherence were analyzed on a yearly basis. The maintenance of long-term dietary adherence was evaluated using data after the first year and fifth year. RESULTS: From baseline to 5 years, significant increases were observed in overall dietary adherence (Mediterranean diet from 8.9 to 11.4; low-fat diet from 3.9 to 7.1) and in the percentage of patients considered High Adherence (Mediterranean diet from 41 to 89%; low-fat diet from 4 to 67%). When we evaluated the maintenance of adherence, patients considered Low and Medium Adherence at 1 year increased their adherence at the 5 years with both diets and patients considered High Adherence maintained their adherence with a Mediterranean diet, but decreased their adherence with a low-fat diet. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive dietary intervention results in an overall long-term improvement and maintenance of adherence to the Mediterranean and low-fat diets. In our population, the Mediterranean diet group achieved a high level of adherence in the short term which was maintained in the long term.

Fiber Intake Predicts Weight Loss and Dietary Adherence in Adults Consuming Calorie-Restricted Diets: The POUNDS Lost (Preventing Overweight Using Novel Dietary Strategies) Study.

BACKGROUND: The effects of dietary composition on weight loss are incompletely understood. In addition to energy intake, fiber intake, energy density, macronutrient composition, and demographic characteristics have all been suggested to contribute to weight loss. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this analysis was to assess the role of dietary fiber as a predictor of weight loss in participants who consumed calorie-restricted diets (-750 kcal/d from estimated energy needs) for 6 mo, using data from the POUNDS Lost (Preventing Overweight Using Novel Dietary Strategies) Study-a randomized trial that examined the effects of calorie-restricted diets varying in macronutrient composition on weight loss in adults. METHODS: Data were randomly partitioned to a training data set (70%) in which the effects of fiber and other weight-loss predictors were identified using adjusted Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator and model averaging. The retained predictors were then fit on the testing data set to assess predictive performance. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-five participants (53.9% female) provided dietary records at baseline and 6 mo. Mean ± SD age and BMI for the full sample was 52.5 ± 8.7 y and 32.6 ± 3.9 kg/m2, respectively. Mean ± SD (99% CI) weight change at 6 mo for the full sample was -7.27 ± 5.6 kg (-8.05, -6.48 kg). The final, best fit model (R2 = 0.41) included fiber, energy density, fat, age, adherence, baseline weight, race, and changes from baseline in carbohydrate, fiber, PUFA, and MUFA intake, but the most influential predictor was fiber intake ($\hat{\beta }$ = -0.37; P < 0.0001). In addition, fiber was strongly associated with adherence to the macronutrient prescriptions (P < 0.0001). Interactions between race and adherence, age, baseline weight, carbohydrate, energy density, and MUFAs were also retained in the final model. CONCLUSION: Dietary fiber intake, independently of macronutrient and caloric intake, promotes weight loss and dietary adherence in adults with overweight or obesity consuming a calorie-restricted diet. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00072995.

Nutritional management in renal transplant recipients: A transplant team opportunity to improve graft survival.

AIMS: The nutritional management of renal transplant recipients (RTR) represents a complex problem either because the recovery of renal function is not complete and for the appearance of "unavoidable" metabolic side effects of immunosuppressive drugs. Nevertheless, it remains a neglected problem, whereas an appropriate dietary intervention could favorably affect graft survival. DATA SYNTHESIS: Renal transplantation is associated with steroids and calcineurin inhibitors administration, liberalization of diet after dialysis restrictions, and patients' better quality of life. These factors predispose, from the first months after surgery, to body weight gain, enhanced post transplant diabetes, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, with negative consequences on graft outcome. Unfortunately, specific guidelines about this topic and nutritional counseling are scarce; moreover, beyond the low adherence of patients to any dietary plan, there is a dangerous underestimation of the problem by physicians, sometimes with inadequate interventions. A prompt and specific nutritional management of RTR can help prevent or minimize these metabolic alterations, mostly when associated with careful and repeated counseling. CONCLUSIONS: A correct nutritional management, possibly tailored to enhance patients' motivation and adherence, represents the best preventive maneuver to increase patients' life and probably improve graft survival, at no cost and with no side effects.

Changes in body composition with a hypocaloric diet combined with sedentary, moderate and high-intense physical activity: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence showing the effectiveness of a hypocaloric diet and the increase in physical activity on weight loss. However, the combined role of these factors, not only on weight loss but also body composition, remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a hypocaloric diet on the body composition of obese adult women throughout different degrees of physical activity during a weight loss program. METHODS: One hundred and seventeen healthy female volunteers were randomly assigned to one of the experimental groups: a control group with a low-level prescription of physical activity (1-4 METs), moderate physical activity group that performed 10.000 steps walking (5-8 METs) and intense physical activity group that trained exercises by at least 70% of VO2max three times a week (> 8 METs). All subjects followed a hypocaloric diet designed with a reduction of 500 kcal/day. Nutritional counseling was provided throughout the study period to help ensure dietary adherence. RESULTS: We found no differences in body weight compared to moderate and intense physical activity (ßstand. = - 0.138 vs. ßstand. = - 0.139). Body fat was lower in women following an intense activity (ßstand. = - 0.436) than those with moderate exercise (ßstand. = - 0.231). The high-intense activity also increased muscle mass at the end of the intervention, standing out above the moderate activity (ßstand. = 0.182 vs. ßstand. = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that a hypocaloric diet, without prescription of physical activity, is adequate to lose weight in the short term (12 weeks), but physical activity is vital to modify the body composition in women with obesity. Body fat was lower when women practiced a moderate exercise compared to hypocaloric diet only, but an intense physical activity was the most effective protocol to obtain a reduction of body fat and maintain muscle mass. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study protocol complied with the Declaration of Helsinki for medical studies, it was approved by the bioethical committee of Córdoba University, in the Department of Health at the Regional Government of Andalusia (Act n°284, ref.4156) and retrospectively registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03833791). Registered 2 January 2019.

The Association of Therapy Adherence and Thyroid Function in Adult Patients with Phenylketonuria.

BACKGROUND: The standard, lifelong therapy of phenylketonuria (PKU) is a natural protein-restricted diet complemented with phenylalanine (Phe)-free L-amino acid mixtures that provide the daily necessary micronutrients. OBJECTIVE: To assess thyroid function and structure and the iodine status of early-treated adult PKU (ETPKU) patients in Hungary. METHODS: Sixty-nine PKU patients (aged 18-41 years) and 50 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Thyroid hormones, serum thyroglobulin, thyroid antibodies, urinary iodine, and selenium concentrations were measured, and thyroid ultrasound was performed. RESULTS: The incidence of thyroid dysfunction was infrequent (n = 2). Blood Phe was negatively correlated with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and PKU patients had higher free thyroxine and lower TSH levels than healthy controls. Although optimal iodine status was found in the entire PKU population, by dividing the patients according to their therapy compliance, we observed that lower therapy adherence was associated with mild iodine deficiency and lower urinary selenium levels. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that iodine status is strongly influenced by the adherence to therapy in ETPKU patients. No or not enough medical food consumption combined with a low-Phe diet can lead to subclinical iodine deficiency.

Depressive symptoms and dietary non-adherence among end stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis therapy: systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Research suggests that patients with end stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis have a higher rate of depression and dietary non adherence leading to hospitalization and mortality. The purpose of this review was to synthesize the quantitative evidence on the relationship between depressive symptoms and dietary non adherence among end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receiving hemodialysis. METHODS: A systematic review was undertaken. Three electronic databases were searched including PubMed, CINHAL and Web of Science. Only quantitative studies published between 2001 and 2016 were included in the review. RESULT: A total of 141 publications were reviewed during the search process and 28 articles that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the review. Eleven studies (39.3%) reported on the prevalence of depressive symptoms or depression and its effect on patient outcomes. Ten studies (35.7%) focused on dietary adherence/non adherence in patients with ESRD and the remaining seven (25%) articles were descriptive studies on the relationship between depressive symptoms and dietary non adherence in patients with ESRD receiving hemodialysis. The prevalence of depressive symptoms and dietary non adherence ranged as 6-83.49% and from 41.1-98.3% respectively. Decreased quality of life & increased morbidity and mortality were positively associated with depressive symptoms. Other factors including urea, hemoglobin, creatinine and serum albumin had also association with depressive symptoms. Regarding dietary non adherence, age, social support, educational status, behavioral control and positive attitudes are important factors in ESRD patients receiving hemodialysis. Having depressive symptoms is more likely to increase dietary non adherence. CONCLUSION: Depressive symptoms and dietary non adherence were highly prevalent in patients with end stage renal disease receiving hemodialysis therapy. Nearly all of the articles that examined the relationship between depressive symptoms and dietary non adherence found a significant association. Future research using experimental or longitudinal design and gold standard measures with established cut-points is needed to further explain the relationship.

When vegetarians eat meat: Why vegetarians violate their diets and how they feel about doing so.

Many people who self-identify as vegetarian actually eat meat on occasion. Surveys documenting this phenomenon have become abundant over the past two decades, and recent studies have begun to explain why some vegetarians are more likely to violate their diets than others are. However, qualitative research detailing the experiences of vegetarians eating meat is sparse. In the current study, we surveyed 243 vegetarians, 124 (51%) of whom indicated that they have eaten meat since going vegetarian. Of these 124 participants, 108 provided written narratives about their experiences eating meat, which we analyzed. Participants were most likely to eat meat at family gatherings and on special occasions; to eat meat in order to make a social situation flow more smoothly; and to react negatively to having eaten meat. Participants' narratives suggest that vegetarianism may be best conceived as a social identity, beyond just a diet. Some vegetarians reported that they view their diets as flexible guidelines, rather than rigid rules they ought to follow without exception. This study is the first, to our knowledge, to document in detail how vegetarians reflect on their experiences eating meat.

Adherence to a healthy diet in relation to cardiovascular incidence and risk markers: evidence from the Caerphilly Prospective Study.

PURPOSE: Epidemiological findings indicate that higher adherence to a healthy diet may lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The present study aimed to investigate whether adherence to a healthy diet, assessed by the Healthy Diet Indicator (HDI), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) score, and Alternative Healthy Eating Index 2010 (AHEI-2010), was associated with CVD incidence and risk markers. METHODS: Included in the present analyses were data from 1867 middle-aged men, aged 56.7 ± 4.5 years at baseline, recruited into the Caerphilly Prospective Study. Adherence to a healthy diet was examined in relation to CVD, coronary heart disease (CHD), and stroke incidence (Cox regression), and risk markers (linear regression) with adjustment for relevant confounders. RESULTS: The DASH score was inversely associated with CVD [hazard ratio (HR) 0.81; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66, 0.99], and stroke (HR 0.61; 95% CI 0.42, 0.88) incidence, but not with CHD after an average of 16.6 year follow-up, and with diastolic blood pressure, after 12 year follow-up. The AHEI-2010 was inversely associated with stroke (HR 0.66; 95% CI 0.42, 0.88) incidence, aortic pulse wave velocity, and C-reactive protein. The HDI was not associated with any single outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Higher DASH and AHEI-2010 scores were associated with lower CVD and stroke risk, and favourable cardiovascular health outcomes, suggesting that encouraging middle-aged men to comply with the dietary recommendations for a healthy diet may have important implications for future vascular disease and population health.

Challenges in gluten-free diet in coeliac disease: Prague consensus.

BACKGROUND: New treatments in coeliac disease are being vigorously pursued to either replace or facilitate the difficult-tofollow gluten-free diet. DESIGN: The present review intends to summarise the challenges in gluten-free diet adherence during the transitional period, as reflected in the last Prague consensus, published in 2016. RESULTS: The honourable panel members recommended that dietary adherence and the consequences of nonadherence represent key components for discussion in the transitional period setting. CONCLUSIONS: There are numerous difficulties in adhering to gluten withdrawal, but the transition period from adolescence to young adulthood is considered a fragile and high-risk period for intentional and unintentional gluten intake.

An integrative review of the methodology and findings regarding dietary adherence in end stage kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Dietary modification is an important component of the management of end stage kidney disease (ESKD). The diet for ESKD involves modifying energy and protein intake, and altering sodium, phosphate, potassium and fluid intake. There have been no comprehensive reviews to date on this topic. The aims of this integrative review were to (i) describe the methods used to measure dietary adherence (ii) determine the rate of dietary adherence and (iii) describe factors associated with dietary adherence in ESKD. METHODS: The Web of Science and Scopus databases were searched using the search terms 'adherence' and 'end stage kidney disease'. Of the 787 potentially eligible papers retrieved, 60 papers of 24,743 patients were included in this review. Of these papers, 44 reported the rate of dietary adherence and 44 papers described factors associated with adherence. RESULTS: Most of the evidence regarding dietary adherence is derived from studies of hemodialysis patients (72% of patients). The most common method of measuring dietary adherence in ESKD was subjective techniques (e.g. food diaries or adherence questionnaires). This was followed by indirect methods (e.g. serum potassium, phosphate or interdialytic weight gain). The weighted mean adherence rate to ESKD dietary recommendations was 31.5% and 68.5% for fluid recommendations. Adherence to protein, sodium, phosphate, and potassium recommendations were highly variable due to differences in measurement methods used, and were often derived from a limited evidence base. Socioeconomic status, age, social support and self-efficacy were associated with dietary adherence. However, factors such as taste, the impact of the diet on social eating occasions; and dietetic staffing also appear to play a role in dietary adherence. CONCLUSION: Dietary adherence rates in people with ESKD are suboptimal. Further research is required on dietary adherence in patients with ESKD from different social, educational, economic and ethnic groups. This research may identify other factors which may impact upon adherence, and could be used to inform the design of future strategies to improve dietary adherence. Future research that reports not just the rate of adherence to individual components of the nutrient prescription but also the overall quality of the diet would be useful.

Self-management of dietary intake using mindful eating to improve dietary intake for individuals with early stage chronic kidney disease.

Using mindful eating to improve specific dietary recommendations has not been adequately studied. This feasibility study examined an intervention, self-management of dietary intake using mindful eating, with 19 participants that had mild to moderate chronic kidney disease, using a prospective, single group, pretest-posttest design. The intervention had six weekly classes focused on self-management using mindful eating, goal-setting, problem-solving, and food label reading. Weight, body mass index (BMI), 3-day 24-h dietary recalls and fasting blood samples were measured. Participants improved significantly in mean weight (203.21 ± 42.98 vs 199.91 ± 40.36 lbs; P = 0.03) and BMI (32.02 ± 5.22 vs 31.57 ± 5.27 kg/m2; P = 0.04), but not in dietary intake nor blood measures with the exception of cis-beta-carotene levels (0.020 + 0.012 vs 0.026 + 0.012 mcg/mL; P = 0.008), which correlates to fruit and vegetable servings. These promising results warrant further testing of the intervention in randomized control trials.

Patient adherence in following a prescribed diet and micronutrient supplements after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: our experience during 1 year of follow-up.

BACKGROUND: One of the most effective surgeries for sustainable weight loss in morbidly obese patients is laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). The present study aimed to assess the adherence of LSG patients with respect to following post-operative dietary requirements and micronutrient supplementation, as well as to investigate their perceived barriers in achieving optimal adherence. METHODS: Retrospective data analysis was performed (3, 6, 9 and 12 months after LSG) using the medical records of 96 morbidly obese patients who had undergone LSG at our institution during 2011-2013. Data collected from patient records were: adherence to prescribed diet; adherence to prescribed consumption of fruit, vegetables, legumes and cereals; use of prescribed micronutrient supplements; and barriers to diet and micronutrient therapy adherence. Data were analysed using spss, version 14.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: At 3, 6, 9 and 12 months post-LSG, the rates of patient non-adherence to a prescribed diet were 39%, 45%, 51% and 74%, respectively. In particular, there was a low consumption of fruit, vegetables, legumes and cereals compared to the post-surgery prescription. In addition, the rates of patient non-adherence to prescribed micronutrient supplements at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months post-LSG were 43%, 51%, 59% and 67%, respectively. The main reasons for patient non-adherence to diet were poor self-discipline (72%) and poor family support (11%) whereas difficulty swallowing pills or capsules (61%) and cost (20%) were reported as the main barriers to post-LSG adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Morbidly obese patients who have undergone LSG do not follow exactly the post-operative dietary guidelines, including micronutrient therapy.

Quality of Life in Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease: Role of the Gluten-Free Diet.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate quality of life (QoL) and glycemic control in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and celiac disease vs T1D only. We hypothesized that QoL scores would be lower in youth with T1D and celiac disease and those nonadherent to the gluten-free diet (GFD). STUDY DESIGN: This case control study included 35 youth with T1D and 35 with T1D and celiac disease matched for age, sex, diabetes duration, and hemoglobin A1c level. QoL was assessed in participants and parents using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Scale, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Diabetes Module. and the General Well-Being Scale; youth with T1D and celiac disease also completed the celiac disease-specific DUX questionnaire and parents completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Family Impact Scale. Questionnaires were scored from 0 to 100; higher scores indicate better QoL or well-being. Scores were compared between T1D vs T1D with celiac disease, with subgroup analysis by GFD adherence vs nonadherence and therapy (continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion vs multiple daily injections). RESULTS: Youth with T1D and celiac disease reported similar generic and diabetes-specific QoL to T1D only. GFD nonadherent vs adherent youth reported lower diabetes-specific QoL (mean score 58 vs 75, P = .003) and lower general well-being (57 vs 76, P = .02), as did their parents (50 vs 72, P = .006), and hemoglobin A1c was higher (9.6% vs 8.0%, P = .02). Youth with T1D and celiac disease using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion vs multiple daily injections had similar generic and diabetes-specific QoL and A1C (8.6 vs 8.2%, P = .44), but were less happy having to follow a lifelong diet (59 vs 29, P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: Youth with T1D and celiac disease who do not adhere to the GFD have lower QoL and worse glycemic control. Novel strategies are required to understand and improve adherence in those with both conditions.