GLIM criteria for the diagnosis of malnutrition - A consensus report from the global clinical nutrition community

RATIONALE

This initiative is focused on building a global consensus around core diagnostic criteria for malnutrition in adults in clinical settings.

METHODS

In January 2016, the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) was convened by several of the major global clinical nutrition societies. GLIM appointed a core leadership committee and a supporting working group with representatives bringing additional global diversity and expertise. Empirical consensus was reached through a series of face-to-face meetings, telephone conferences, and e-mail communications.

RESULTS

A two-step approach for the malnutrition diagnosis was selected, i.e., first screening to identify "at risk" status by the use of any validated screening tool, and second, assessment for diagnosis and grading the severity of malnutrition. The malnutrition criteria for consideration were retrieved from existing approaches for screening and assessment. Potential criteria were subjected to a ballot among the GLIM core and supporting working group members. The top five ranked criteria included three phenotypic criteria (weight loss, low body mass index, and reduced muscle mass) and two etiologic criteria (reduced food intake or assimilation, and inflammation or disease burden). To diagnose malnutrition at least one phenotypic criterion and one etiologic criterion should be present. Phenotypic metrics for grading severity as Stage 1 (moderate) and Stage 2 (severe) malnutrition are proposed. It is recommended that the etiologic criteria be used to guide intervention and anticipated outcomes. The recommended approach supports classification of malnutrition into four etiology-related diagnosis categories.

CONCLUSION

A consensus scheme for diagnosing malnutrition in adults in clinical settings on a global scale is proposed. Next steps are to secure further collaboration and endorsements from leading nutrition professional societies, to identify overlaps with syndromes like cachexia and sarcopenia, and to promote dissemination, validation studies, and feedback. The diagnostic construct should be re-considered every 3-5 years.

Mass spectrometry-based identification and whole-genome characterisation of the first pteropine orthoreovirus isolated from monkey faeces in Thailand

Background

The pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV) was isolated from monkey (Macaca fascicularis) faecal samples collected from human-inhabited areas in Lopburi Province, Thailand. These samples were initially obtained to survey for the presence of hepatitis E virus (HEV).

Results

Two virus isolates were retrieved by virus culture of 55 monkey faecal samples. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was successfully used to identify the viruses as the segmented dsRNA orthoreovirus. Phylogenetic analysis of the Lopburi orthoreovirus whole-genomes revealed relationships with the well-characterised PRVs Pulau (segment L1), Cangyuan (segments L2, M3 and S3), Melaka (segments L3 and M2), Kampar (segments M1 and S2) and Sikamat (segments S1 and S4) of Southeast Asia and China with nucleotide sequence identities of 93.5–98.9%. RT-PCR showed that PRV was detected in 10.9% (6/55) and HEV was detected in 25.5% (14/55) of the monkey faecal samples.

Conclusions

PRV was isolated from monkey faeces for the first time in Thailand via viral culture and LC-MS/MS. The genetic diversity of the virus genome segments suggested a re-assortment within the PRV species group. The overall findings emphasise that monkey faeces can be sources of zoonotic viruses, including PRV and HEV, and suggest the need for active virus surveillance in areas of human and monkey co-habitation to prevent and control emerging zoonotic diseases in the future.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12866-018-1302-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

GLIM criteria for the diagnosis of malnutrition - A consensus report from the global clinical nutrition community

RATIONALE

This initiative is focused on building a global consensus around core diagnostic criteria for malnutrition in adults in clinical settings.

METHODS

In January 2016, the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) was convened by several of the major global clinical nutrition societies. GLIM appointed a core leadership committee and a supporting working group with representatives bringing additional global diversity and expertise. Empirical consensus was reached through a series of face-to-face meetings, telephone conferences, and e-mail communications.

RESULTS

A two-step approach for the malnutrition diagnosis was selected, i.e., first screening to identify "at risk" status by the use of any validated screening tool, and second, assessment for diagnosis and grading the severity of malnutrition. The malnutrition criteria for consideration were retrieved from existing approaches for screening and assessment. Potential criteria were subjected to a ballot among the GLIM core and supporting working group members. The top five ranked criteria included three phenotypic criteria (non-volitional weight loss, low body mass index, and reduced muscle mass) and two etiologic criteria (reduced food intake or assimilation, and inflammation or disease burden). To diagnose malnutrition at least one phenotypic criterion and one etiologic criterion should be present. Phenotypic metrics for grading severity as Stage 1 (moderate) and Stage 2 (severe) malnutrition are proposed. It is recommended that the etiologic criteria be used to guide intervention and anticipated outcomes. The recommended approach supports classification of malnutrition into four etiology-related diagnosis categories.

CONCLUSION

A consensus scheme for diagnosing malnutrition in adults in clinical settings on a global scale is proposed. Next steps are to secure further collaboration and endorsements from leading nutrition professional societies, to identify overlaps with syndromes like cachexia and sarcopenia, and to promote dissemination, validation studies, and feedback. The diagnostic construct should be re-considered every 3-5 years.

Homozygous DNA variants in exon 9 of the LDL receptor gene in a Thai patient with primary hypercholesterolemia phenotype

Mutation in low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene causes an inherited primary hypercholesterolemia namely familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). In this study, 46 Thai patients with primary hypercholesterolemia were screened for mutations in exon 9 of the LDL receptor gene by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR - RFLP). The analysed fragment was 224 bp in length. According to the published cDNA sequence, exon 9 of the LDL receptor gene contains several hypermutable CpG dinucleotides. Three of these sites are Hpa II recognition sites. PCR product of exon 9 obtained from amplification of wild-type DNA sample would yield four fragments after Hpa II digestion. The expected sizes of these restriction fragments were 15, 30, 40 and 139 bp. All normocholesterolemic subjects (n = 33) showed normal RFLP. However, in one patient (72 year old female), abnormal RFLP from Hpa II digestion of the amplified exon 9 was observed, i.e., a fragment of 70 bp and another one smaller than 139 bp. Such RFLP reflects that exon 9 of both alleles of the LDL receptor gene in this patient lost one and gained one Hpa II site. It is interesting that this patient, eventhough harbouring two mutations on both alleles of the LDL receptor gene (presumably homozygous genotype of FH), apparently revealed lipid levels of heterozygous phenotype of FH without symptoms of coronary artery disease. It has yet to be proved whether these genetic variations are disease-related mutations or presumably common DNA polymorphisms.

Inexpensive, rapid and convenient PCR-minigel SSCP protocol for polymorphisms and mutations analyses of LDL receptor gene

Hypercholesterolemia has been recognized as a major risk factor of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. The elevation in plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is frequently due to genetic alteration at the genetic locus specifying the LDL receptors, leading to defective catabolism of LDL. In order to facilitate the molecular diagnosis of LDL receptor disorder, single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified genomic DNA fragments has become a simple and sensitive screening method for identification of DNA polymorphisms and mutations in LDL receptor gene prior to DNA sequencing. In addition, SSCP patterns can be detected by silver staining to avoid hazardous radioactive material or other costly nonradioactive detection techniques. However, the original SSCP protocol is generally large-formatted, which is both time and reagents consuming as well as cumbersome. Minigel SSCP protocols have thus been devised but they involve, although commercially available, costly precast gels. We describe here a nonradioactive PCR-minigel SSCP protocol which is sensitive, inexpensive, rapid, reproducible and manually convenient. The results in this study demonstrate that minigel-SSCP (gel size: 10 cm x 7.3 cm x 0.075 cm) can detect conformation polymorphisms in PCR-fragments with a comparative sensitivity to large gel SSCP (gel size: 30 cm x 40 cm x 0.04 cm) as exemplified by the SSCP analyses of exon 13 of the LDL receptor gene. For minigel SSCP, the reagents for gel components and silver staining are reduced approximately 9 times and 10 times, respectively. For electrophoresis, electrical power is also reduced 10 times. This improved technique can become routinely used for molecular diagnosis of LDL receptor defect as well as for other genetic disorders.

Screening for mutations in exons encoding the ligand-binding domain of the LDL receptor gene using PCR-CFLP and PCR-SSCP

Primary hypercholesterolemia includes both monogenic disorders and polygenic conditions. Two well defined monogenic disorders are familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and familial defective apolipoprotein (apo) B-100 (FDB). Both disorders convey high risk of premature coronary artery disease. FH and FDB are caused by mutations in LDL receptor and apo B-100 genes, respectively. In the present study, mutations in both genes in Thai subjects with primary hypercholesterolemia were screened. For apo B-100 gene, a common mutation R3500Q was screened. This mutation was not observed in the patients (n = 45). For LDL receptor gene, mutations in the exons encoding the ligand-binding domain were screened. By PCR-CFLP analysis, 18 abnormal CFLP patterns in exon 4, the hot spot for mutations, were found in patients (n=45). One of the DNA samples with abnormal CFLP patterns was previously identified and reported as a possible disease-causing mutation, namely D151Y. For the other exons, the screening technique was PCR-SSCP. Abnormal SSCP patterns in DNA samples from patients (n=20) were found as follows, two in exon 3, one in exon 5 and another one in exon 6. Further characterization by DNA sequencing and family studies for these abnormal patterns are underway.

Mutation analysis of exon 9 of the LDL receptor gene in Thai subjects with primary hypercholesterolemia

The low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor plays an important role in cholesterol homeostasis. A mutation in this gene causes an autosomal codominant disorder, namely familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). In this study, single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis was used to screen for mutations in exon 9 of the LDL receptor gene in a group of 45 Thai patients (11 males and 34 females) with primary hypercholesterolemia. The peptide encoded by exon 9 belongs to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) precursor homology domain which is highly conserved in the LDL receptor protein. An abnormal SSCP pattern was observed in one female patient. The same screening strategy was also used to screen DNA samples from 33 normolipidemic subjects. All of these samples showed normal SSCP pattern. By direct DNA sequencing, the underlying mutation in the DNA with abnormal SSCP pattern was identified. The index subject was heterozygous for a T to C transition at nucleotide 1235. This transition would cause a nonconservative substitution of a nonpolar side chain amino acid "methionine" at codon 391, with an uncharged polar side chain amino acid "threonine", note M391T. From multiple amino acid sequence alignment in six species, the amino acid at codon 391 and the others nearby are completely conserved. Such nonconservative substitution of an amino acid residue in a highly conserved region could consequently result in a functional and/or structural defect in the receptor protein. In conclusion, we propose that M391T is likely to be the cause of hypercholesterolemia in this index subject.

Effect of Ava II and NcoI polymorphisms at the low density lipoprotein receptor gene on plasma lipid levels in a group of Thai subjects

The contribution of common genetic variations at the LDL receptor gene in determining interindividual differences in plasma lipid levels in the general population has been observed in several studies. In this study, we employed the PCR-RFLP method to investigate such an effect of the common Ava II (exon 13) and Nco I (exon 18) polymorphisms at the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene locus in 54 normolipidemic Thai subjects. The mean LDL-C level was slightly higher in the Ava II (+/+) genotype than the other Ava II genotypes. This difference was significant at the 5 per cent level although there were only three homozygotes with Ava II (+/+) genotype. The average effect of Ava II (+) allele was to increase LDL-C level by 6.75 mg/dl. A gene-dosage effect was not observed for this polymorphism. In addition, the subjects with Ava II (+/+) genotype also tended to have high serum total cholesterol and triglyceride and low HDL-C levels. Nco I polymorphism revealed no statistically significant effect on lipid levels in these subjects. However, the subjects with (+) allele tended to have high levels of LDL-C, serum total cholesterol and triglyceride.

Screening for mutations in exon 4 of the LDL receptor gene in Thai subjects with primary hypercholesterolemia: detection of a novel mutation D151Y by PCR-CFLP

A mutation in low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene causes an autosomal codominant disorder namely familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Mutations in the LDL receptor gene are very heterogeneous at the DNA levels, occurring in all 18 exons of the gene. However, exon 4 has been found to be the hot spot for mutational events. In this study DNA from 45 Thai subjects with primary hypercholesterolemia was screened for mutations in the hot spot exon 4. The DNA samples were amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and screened for mutation by Cleavase Fragment Length Polymorphism (CFLP) technique. Identification of mutation was performed by direct sequencing of PCR product. From this screening, one female patient was found to be heterozygous for a novel mutation which was due to a G to T transversion at nucleotide 514. This transversion would change the species-conserved amino acid at codon 151 from charged R group aspatic (GAC) to uncharged R group tyrosine (TAC), termed D151Y. From the same screening strategy, we found that this mutation was absent in 33 healthy normolipidemic subjects. In this index subject, Arg 3500 Gln mutation in apo B-100 gene, causing hypercholesterolemia namely familial defective apo B-100 (FDB), was not found. Therefore, hypercholesterolemia in this index subject was possibly caused by the D151Y mutation in the LDL receptor gene.

Screening for a D9N common mutation in exon 2 of the LPL gene in Thai normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic subjects

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is a multifunctional protein, playing a major role in the hydrolysis of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. It also affects the maturation of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL). A D9N substitution is a frequent mutation found in exon 2 of the LPL gene. It is due to a G --> A transition causing a substitution of Asp by Asn at amino acid residue 9 of the protein. This mutation was screened for in 94 Thai primary dyslipidemic (46 hypercholesterolemic and 48 combined hyperlipidemic) subjects compared to 32 normal healthy subjects using PCR-RFLP. Such a mutation has not, yet, been detected in any of these Thai subjects.

Prevalence of dyslipidemia in the elderly in rural areas of Thailand

Dyslipidemia is highly prevalent in the urban areas of Thailand but information in the rural area, particularly in the elderly, is limited. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia in the elderly who live in the rural areas of Thailand. Random sampling of the volunteers aged > or = 60 years in 3 districts of Samut Songkhram and Ratchaburi provinces was done. After 12-hour fast, the blood sampling was drawn for the analysis of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Eighty men and 123 women, aged 60-87 years old, were included in the study. Mean serum lipid levels of cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were 261.74+/-47.58, 180.35+/-45.06, 43.72+/-12.06, and 188.38+/-103.84 mg/dl respectively. Women had significantly higher body mass index, cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels than men. Seventy percent of them had cholesterol > or = 240 mg/dl and LDL cholesterol > or = 160 mg/dl. Twenty-five percent had HDL cholesterol < or = 35 mg/dl. However, LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio > 5 which indicated high risk for coronary heart disease were found in only 34%. In conclusion, prevalence of dyslipidemia was very high in Thai rural elderly. Further surveillance in this population is essential in verifying the impact of dyslipidemia as a risk of cardiovascular disease in Thai elderly people.

Evaluation of the new fasting plasma glucose cutpoint of 7.0 mmol/l in detection of diabetes mellitus in the Thai population

To determine whether a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) cutpoint of 7.0 mmol/l can be appropriately used for detection of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the Thai population, different FPG cutpoints were evaluated for their efficacy in the diagnosis of DM. A plasma glucose level of > or = 11.1 mmol/l at 2 h after a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was used as the gold standard criterion for diagnosis of DM. OGTT was performed in 496 subjects who were at risk of developing diabetes. They were 120 males and 376 females, 14-76 years old (mean +/- S.D. = 45.0 +/- 12.2 years). Plasma glucose level was determined in NaF preserved plasma using the glucose oxidase method. Diagnosis of DM was made in 22.8% of cases by the gold standard criterion as compared to 4.2% by using FPG values of > or = 7.8 mmol/l. The sensitivity of the FPG cutpoint of 7.8 mmol/l was 18.6%. Diagnosis of DM using FPG > or = 7.0 mmol/l improved the sensitivity to 33.6% with a positive predictive value of 100% and highest Youden's index of 0.836. The receiver operating characteristic curve of FPG revealed the best cutpoint to lie between 5.6-6.0 mmol/l. A FPG cutpoint of < 6.0 mmol/l over-estimated the prevalence of diabetes. DM and impaired glucose tolerance were noted in 65.6 and 29.5% of the subjects who had FPG values between 6.0 and 6.9 mmol/l, respectively. We conclude that FPG cutpoint of 7.0 mmol/l is applicable to a high risk Thai population for detection of DM. OGTT is recommended for definitive determination of glucose tolerance status in those individuals with FPG values between 6.0 and 6.9 mmol/l.

Relationships of vitamin B1, B12, folate and the cognitive ability of the Thai rural elderly

The comparisons of the levels of vitamin B1, B12 and folate between the elderly with good and poor cognitive ability are the goals of this study. 203 subjects enrolled in 3 geriatric centers of Ratchaburi province and nearby were recruited. All the subjects were tested with structured Thai Mini Mental State Examination (TMSE) questionnaire by trained examiners. With the cut off point of 23 out of 30 in TMSE, 31 per cent were designated as poor cognitive group. Radiodilution assay was used to determine the level of serum B12 and red cell folate while the TPP effect was processed by spectrophotometry. The prevalence of vitamin B1, B12 and folate deficiency were 30.2 per cent, 3.8 per cent and 8.2 per cent consecutively. None of the studied vitamin levels was shown to be significantly different between the poor and good cognitive group suggesting no proved indication to the use of vitamin B1, B12 and folate in the healthy elderly with poor cognitive function.

Factors associated with diabetic foot ulceration in Thailand: a case-control study

A case-control study was conducted to determine factors involved in foot ulceration in Thai non-insulin-dependent (Type 2) diabetic patients. Fifty-five patients with foot ulcers (42 females and 13 males) and 110 patients without foot ulcers (83 females and 27 males) were evaluated for 26 factors possibly associated with foot ulceration. The results showed that diabetic patients with foot ulcers had significantly lower diabetic knowledge and foot-care practice scores; poorer glycaemic control, renal function, and visual function, and higher prevalence of retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy than diabetic patients without foot ulcers, whereas there were no differences in peripheral vascular status between both groups, each having a low prevalence. Multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that the risk of developing foot ulcers was associated with only three factors which were peripheral nerve status as determined by somatosensory evoked potentials (OR = 1.67; 95% CI 0.31 -8.97), visual acuity (OR = 0.223 per unit decrease in decimal visual acuity; 95% CI = 0.005, 0.39) and fasting plasma glucose level (OR = 1.01 per mmol l-1 increase; 95% CI = 1.00, 1.02). We conclude that peripheral neuropathy, visual impairment, and poor glycaemic control, but not peripheral vascular insufficiency, are the major independent risk factors associated with foot ulceration in Thai diabetic patients.

Liver abscess: a clinical study of 222 patients

The medical records of 222 patients with liver abscess at Siriraj Hospital from 1978 to 1985 were analysed. Amoebic abscess was three times more prevalent than pyogenic abscess. In both groups middle aged males were affected more often than others. The main clinical manifestations were fever, right upper quadrant pain and hepatomegaly. History of colitis in the past, marked leukocytosis, elevation of alkaline phosphatase and a single abscess confined to the right lobe were suggestive of amoebic liver abscess. The presence of concurrent abdominal infection, marked anemia and jaundice were associated with pyogenic abscess. Patients with pyogenic abscess developed complications more often and the case fatality rate was greater than patients with amoebic abscess. Most of the patients were successfully treated with a combination of antimicrobials and drainage.