Association of the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in patients with diabetic kidney disease: evidence from the NHANES 2009-2018

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD).

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Data on patients with DKD from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2018.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

All-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality, diabetes-related mortality and nephropathy-related mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 1714 patients were included, with 1119 (65.29%) in normal nutrition group (a score of 0-1), 553 (32.26%) in mild malnutrition group (a score of 2-4) and 42 (2.45%) in moderate and severe malnutrition group (a score of 5-12), according to the CONUT score. After controlling for age, race, marital status, smoking, hypertension, CVD, diabetic retinopathy, poverty income ratio, antidiabetics, diuretics, urinary albumin to creatinine ratio, uric acid, energy, protein, total fat, sodium and estimated glomerular filtration rate, a higher CONUT score was associated with a significantly greater risk of all-cause death (HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.46, p<0.001). In contrast to patients with a CONUT score of 0-1, those who scored 5-12 had significantly increased risks of all-cause death (HR 2.80, 95% CI 1.42 to 5.51, p=0.003), diabetes-related death (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.02 to 3.11, p=0.041) and nephropathy-related death (HR 1.84, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.24, p=0.036).

CONCLUSION

Moderate and severe malnutrition was associated with greater risks of all-cause death, diabetes-related death and nephropathy-related death than normal nutritional status in DKD. Close monitoring of immuno-nutritional status in patients with DKD may help prognosis management and improvement.

Global disability-adjusted life years and deaths attributable to child and maternal malnutrition from 1990 to 2019

Background

Child and maternal malnutrition (CMM) caused heavy disability-adjusted life years (DALY) and deaths globally. It is crucial to understand the global burden associated with CMM in order to prioritize prevention and control efforts. We performed a comprehensive analysis of the global DALY and deaths attributable to CMM from 1990 to 2019 in this study.

Methods

The age-standardized CMM related burden including DALY and death from 1990 to 2019 were accessed from the Global Burden of Disease study 2019 (GBD 2019). The changing trend were described by average annual percentage change (AAPC). The relationship between sociodemographic factors and burden attributable to CMM were explored by generalized linear model (GLM).

Results

Globally, in 2019, the age-standardized DALY and death rates of CMM were 4,425.24/100,000 (95% UI: 3,789.81/100,000-5,249.55/100,000) and 44.72/100,000 (95% UI: 37.83/100,000-53.47/100,000), respectively. The age-standardized DALY rate (AAPC = -2.92, 95% CI: -2.97% to -2.87%) and death rates (AAPC = -3.19, 95% CI: -3.27% to -3.12%) presented significantly declining trends during past 30 years. However, CMM still caused heavy burden in age group of <28 days, Sub-Saharan Africa and low SDI regions. And, low birth weight and short gestation has identified as the primary risk factors globally. The GLM indicated that the highly per capita gross domestic product, per capita current health expenditure, physicians per 1,000 people were contributed to reduce the burden attributable to CMM.

Conclusion

Although global burden attributable to CMM has significantly declined, it still caused severe health burden annually. To strengthen interventions and address resources allocation in the vulnerable population and regions is necessary.

Child wasting and concurrent stunting in low- and middle-income countries

Sustainable Development Goal 2.2-to end malnutrition by 2030-includes the elimination of child wasting, defined as a weight-for-length z-score that is more than two standard deviations below the median of the World Health Organization standards for child growth1. Prevailing methods to measure wasting rely on cross-sectional surveys that cannot measure onset, recovery and persistence-key features that inform preventive interventions and estimates of disease burden. Here we analyse 21 longitudinal cohorts and show that wasting is a highly dynamic process of onset and recovery, with incidence peaking between birth and 3 months. Many more children experience an episode of wasting at some point during their first 24 months than prevalent cases at a single point in time suggest. For example, at the age of 24 months, 5.6% of children were wasted, but by the same age (24 months), 29.2% of children had experienced at least one wasting episode and 10.0% had experienced two or more episodes. Children who were wasted before the age of 6 months had a faster recovery and shorter episodes than did children who were wasted at older ages; however, early wasting increased the risk of later growth faltering, including concurrent wasting and stunting (low length-for-age z-score), and thus increased the risk of mortality. In diverse populations with high seasonal rainfall, the population average weight-for-length z-score varied substantially (more than 0.5 z in some cohorts), with the lowest mean z-scores occurring during the rainiest months; this indicates that seasonally targeted interventions could be considered. Our results show the importance of establishing interventions to prevent wasting from birth to the age of 6 months, probably through improved maternal nutrition, to complement current programmes that focus on children aged 6-59 months.

Magnitude, Temporal Trends, and Inequalities in the DALYs and YLDs of Nutritional Deficiency among Older Adults in the Western Pacific Region: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990-2019

The population in the Western Pacific region is aging rapidly. Nutritional deficiency is prevalent in older adults; however, information regarding nutritional deficiency in this population is scarce. Using the 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) results, the age-standardized disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and years of healthy life lost due to disability (YLDs) from nutritional deficiency were estimated between 1990 and 2019 for this population. Average annual percentage change (AAPC) was used to assess temporal trends, and linear mixed-effects models were used to examine socioeconomic and sex inequalities. From 1990 to 2019, the age-standardized DALYs of nutritional deficiency in this population decreased from 697.95 to 290.95 per 100,000, and their age-standardized YLDs decreased from 459.03 to 195.65 per 100,000, with the greatest declines seen in South Korea (AAPCs < −5.0). Tonga had the least decline in DALYs (AAPC = −0.8), whereas Fiji experienced an increase in YLDs (AAPC = 0.1). Being female and having a lower sociodemographic index score was significantly associated with higher age-standardized DALYs and YLDs. The magnitude and temporal trends of the nutritional deficiency burden among older adults varied across countries and sex in the region, indicating that health policies on nutritional deficiency among older adults must be crafted to local conditions.

Effect of 3 Days of Oral Azithromycin on Young Children With Acute Diarrhea in Low-Resource Settings: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines do not recommend routine antibiotic use for children with acute watery diarrhea. However, recent studies suggest that a significant proportion of such episodes have a bacterial cause and are associated with mortality and growth impairment, especially among children at high risk of diarrhea-associated mortality. Expanding antibiotic use among dehydrated or undernourished children may reduce diarrhea-associated mortality and improve growth.

Objective

To determine whether the addition of azithromycin to standard case management of acute nonbloody watery diarrhea for children aged 2 to 23 months who are dehydrated or undernourished could reduce mortality and improve linear growth.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The Antibiotics for Children with Diarrhea (ABCD) trial was a multicountry, randomized, double-blind, clinical trial among 8266 high-risk children aged 2 to 23 months presenting with acute nonbloody diarrhea. Participants were recruited between July 1, 2017, and July 10, 2019, from 36 outpatient hospital departments or community health centers in a mixture of urban and rural settings in Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Pakistan, and Tanzania. Each participant was followed up for 180 days. Primary analysis included all randomized participants by intention to treat.

Interventions

Enrolled children were randomly assigned to receive either oral azithromycin, 10 mg/kg, or placebo once daily for 3 days in addition to standard WHO case management protocols for the management of acute watery diarrhea.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary outcomes included all-cause mortality up to 180 days after enrollment and linear growth faltering 90 days after enrollment.

Results

A total of 8266 children (4463 boys [54.0%]; mean [SD] age, 11.6 [5.3] months) were randomized. A total of 20 of 4133 children in the azithromycin group (0.5%) and 28 of 4135 children in the placebo group (0.7%) died (relative risk, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.40-1.27). The mean (SD) change in length-for-age z scores 90 days after enrollment was -0.16 (0.59) in the azithromycin group and -0.19 (0.60) in the placebo group (risk difference, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.01-0.06). Overall mortality was much lower than anticipated, and the trial was stopped for futility at the prespecified interim analysis.

Conclusions and Relevance

The study did not detect a survival benefit for children from the addition of azithromycin to standard WHO case management of acute watery diarrhea in low-resource settings. There was a small reduction in linear growth faltering in the azithromycin group, although the magnitude of this effect was not likely to be clinically significant. In low-resource settings, expansion of antibiotic use is not warranted. Adherence to current WHO case management protocols for watery diarrhea remains appropriate and should be encouraged.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03130114.

Applicability of the GLIM criteria for the diagnosis of malnutrition in older adults in the emergency ward: A pilot validation study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Acutely ill older adults are at higher risk of malnutrition. This study aimed to explore the applicability and accuracy of the GLIM criteria to diagnose malnutrition in acutely ill older adults in the emergency ward (EW).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective secondary analysis, of an ongoing cohort study, in 165 participants over 65 years of age admitted to the EW of a Brazilian university hospital. Nutrition assessment included anthropometry, the Simplified Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire (SNAQ), the Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST), and the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA). We diagnosed malnutrition using GLIM criteria, defined by the parallel presence of at least one phenotypic [nonvolitional weight loss (WL), low BMI, low muscle mass (MM)] and one etiologic criterion [reduced food intake or assimilation (RFI), disease burden/inflammation]. We used the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Cox and logistic regression for data analyses.

RESULTS

GLIM criteria, following the MNA-SF screening, classified 50.3% of participants as malnourished, 29.1% of them in a severe stage. Validation of the diagnosis using MNA-FF as a reference showed good accuracy (AUC = 0.84), and moderate sensitivity (76%) and specificity (75.1%). All phenotypic criteria combined with RFI showed the best metrics. Malnutrition showed a trend for an increased risk of transference to intensive care unit (OR = 2.08, 95% CI 0.99, 4.35), and severe malnutrition for in-hospital mortality (HR = 4.23, 95% CI 1.2, 14.9).

CONCLUSION

GLIM criteria, following MNA-SF screening, appear to be a feasible approach to diagnose malnutrition in acutely ill older adults in the EW. Nonvolitional WL combined with RFI or acute inflammation were the best components identified and are easily accessible, allowing their potential use in clinical practice.

Vitamin D supplementation prior to or during COVID-19 associated with better 3-month survival in geriatric patients: Extension phase of the GERIA-COVID study

BACKGROUND

The objective of this extension phase of the quasi-experimental GERIA-COVID study was to determine whether vitamin D3 supplementation taken prior to or during COVID-19 was associated with better 3-month survival in geriatric patients hospitalized for COVID-19.

METHODS

Intervention group was defined as all participants supplemented with vitamin D3 prior to or during COVID-19 (n = 67). Supplements were either bolus vitamin D3 (ie, 50,000 IU per month, or 80,000 IU or 100,000 IU or 200,000 IU every 2-3 months), or daily supplementation with 800 IU. Comparator group involved those without vitamin D supplements (n = 28). Outcome was 3-month mortality. Covariables were age, sex, functional abilities, history of malignancies, cardiomyopathy, undernutrition, number of acute health issues, antibiotics use, systemic corticosteroids use, and 25(OH)D concentration.

RESULTS

76.1 % (n = 51) of participants survived at 3 months in Intervention group, compared to only 53.6 % (n = 15) in Comparator group (P = 0.03). The fully-adjusted hazard ratio for 3-month mortality was HR = 0.23 [95 %CI: 0.09;0.58](P = 0.002) in Intervention group compared to Comparator group. Intervention group had also longer survival time (log-rank P = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Vitamin D3 supplementation was associated with better 3-month survival in older COVID-19 patients.

The Association between Nutritional Status and In-Hospital Mortality of COVID-19 in Critically-Ill Patients in the ICU

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The impact of poor nutritional status on increased mortality and prolonged ICU (intensive care unit) stay in critically ill patients is well-documented. This study aims to assess how nutritional status and BMI (body mass index) affected in-hospital mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients Methods: We conducted a retrospective study and analysed medical records of 286 COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit of the University Clinical Hospital in Wroclaw (Poland).

RESULTS

A total of 286 patients were analysed. In the sample group, 8% of patients who died had a BMI within the normal range, 46% were overweight, and 46% were obese. There was a statistically significantly higher death rate in men (73%) and those with BMIs between 25.0-29.9 (p = 0.011). Nonsurvivors had a statistically significantly higher HF (Heart Failure) rate (p = 0.037) and HT (hypertension) rate (p < 0.001). Furthermore, nonsurvivors were statistically significantly older (p < 0.001). The risk of death was higher in overweight patients (HR = 2.13; p = 0.038). Mortality was influenced by higher scores in parameters such as age (HR = 1.03; p = 0.001), NRS2002 (nutritional risk score, HR = 1.18; p = 0.019), PCT (procalcitonin, HR = 1.10; p < 0.001) and potassium level (HR = 1.40; p = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

Being overweight in critically ill COVID-19 patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation increases their risk of death significantly. Additional factors indicating a higher risk of death include the patient's age, high PCT, potassium levels, and NRS ≥ 3 measured at the time of admission to the ICU.

Determinants of prognosis in geriatric patients followed in respiratory ICU; either infection or malnutrition

Severity of illness, age, malnutrition, and infection are the important factors determining intensive care unit (ICU) survival.The aim of the study is to determine the relations between Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), C-reactive protein/albumin (CAR), and prognosis-mortality of geriatric patients (age of ≥65 years) admitted to intensive care unit.The study with 10/15/2020, 697 approval date, and number retrospectively registered. Between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2019, 413 geriatric patients admitted to ICU. The patients were divided into three groups according to their age.The age group, gender, Charlson comorbidity index, intensive care scores (Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment), the infection markers (white blood cell, procalcitonin, CAR levels), malnutrition tools for each patient (body mass index, Nutrition Risk in Critically ill score, and GNRI scores) were analyzed retrospectively. Also length of stay (LOS) ICU, length of stay hospital, and 30-day mortality were recorded.Geriatric patients number of 403 was included in the study. Forty-nine (12.3%) patients had a history of malignancy, 272 (67.5%) patients had Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease comorbidity. There was no difference in mortality between age groups.In patients with mortality, body mass index, had being Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease history, GNRI, length of stay hospital, and albumin were significantly lower; malignancy comorbidity rate, inotrope use, modified Nutrition Risk in Critically ill score, mechanical ventilation duration, LOS ICU, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II, Charlson comorbidity index, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and CAR were significantly higher.Both malnutrition and infection affect mortality in geriatric patients in intensive care. The GNRI is better than CAR at predicting mortality.

Disease-Related Malnutrition and Sarcopenia Predict Worse Outcome in Medical Inpatients: A Cohort Study

(1) Background: Both sarcopenia and disease-related malnutrition (DRM) are unfortunately underdiagnosed and undertreated in our Western hospitals, which could lead to worse clinical outcomes. Our objectives included to determine the impact of low muscle mass (MM) and strength, and also DRM and sarcopenia, on clinical outcomes (length of stay, death, readmissions at three months, and quality of life). (2) Methodology: Prospective cohort study in medical inpatients. On admission, MM and hand grip strength (HGS) were assessed. The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria were used to diagnose DRM and EWGSOP2 for sarcopenia. Assessment was repeated after one week and at discharge. Quality of life (EuroQoL-5D), length of stay (LoS), readmissions and mortality are reported. (3) Results: Two hundred medical inpatients, median 76.0 years-old and 68% with high comorbidity. 27.5% met GLIM criteria and 33% sarcopenia on admission, increasing to 38.1% and 52.3% on discharge. Both DRM and sarcopenia were associated with worse QoL. 6.5% died and 32% readmission in 3 months. The odds ratio (OR) of mortality for DRM was 4.36 and for sarcopenia 8.16. Readmissions were significantly associated with sarcopenia (OR = 2.25) but not with DRM. A higher HGS, but not MM, was related to better QoL, less readmissions (OR = 0.947) and lower mortality (OR = 0.848) after adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidity. (4) Conclusions: In medical inpatients, mostly polymorbid, both DRM but specially sarcopenia are associated with poorer quality of life, more readmissions, and higher mortality. Low HGS proved to be a stronger predictor of worse outcomes than MM.

Importance of Considering Malnutrition and Sarcopenia in Order to Improve the QOL of Elderly Hemodialysis Patients in Japan in the Era of 100-Year Life

In the current aging society of Japan, malnutrition and resultant sarcopenia have been widely identified as important symptomatic indicators of ill health and can cause impairments of longevity and quality of life in older individuals. Elderly individuals are recommended to have sufficient calorie and protein intake so as to enjoy a satisfactory quality of life, including maintaining activities of daily living in order to avoid emaciation and sarcopenia. The prevalence of emaciation and sarcopenia in elderly hemodialysis (HD) patients in Japan is higher than in non-HD elderly subjects due to the presence of malnutrition and sarcopenia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Furthermore, comorbidities, such as diabetes and osteoporosis, induce malnutrition and sarcopenia in HD patients. This review presents findings regarding the mechanisms of the development of these early symptomatic conditions and their significance for impaired QOL and increased mortality in elderly HD patients.

Associations of obesity and malnutrition with cardiac remodeling and cardiovascular outcomes in Asian adults: A cohort study

BACKGROUND

Obesity, a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and heart failure (HF), is associated with adverse cardiac remodeling in the general population. Little is known about how nutritional status modifies the relationship between obesity and outcomes. We aimed to investigate the association of obesity and nutritional status with clinical characteristics, echocardiographic changes, and clinical outcomes in the general community.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We examined 5,300 consecutive asymptomatic Asian participants who were prospectively recruited in a cardiovascular health screening program (mean age 49.6 ± 11.4 years, 64.8% male) between June 2009 to December 2012. Clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were described in participants, stratified by combined subgroups of obesity and nutritional status. Obesity was indexed by body mass index (BMI) (low, ≤25 kg/m2 [lean]; high, >25 kg/m2 [obese]) (WHO-recommended Asian cutoffs). Nutritional status was defined primarily by serum albumin (SA) concentration (low, <45 g/L [malnourished]; high, ≥45 g/L [well-nourished]), and secondarily by the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine a 1-year composite outcome of hospitalization for HF or all-cause mortality while adjusting for age, sex, and other clinical confounders. Our community-based cohort consisted of 2,096 (39.0%) lean-well-nourished (low BMI, high SA), 1,369 (25.8%) obese-well-nourished (high BMI, high SA), 1,154 (21.8%) lean-malnourished (low BMI, low SA), and 681 (12.8%) obese-malnourished (high BMI, low SA) individuals. Obese-malnourished participants were on average older (54.5 ± 11.4 years) and more often women (41%), with a higher mean waist circumference (91.7 ± 8.8 cm), the highest percentage of body fat (32%), and the highest prevalence of hypertension (32%), diabetes (12%), and history of cardiovascular disease (11%), compared to all other subgroups (all p < 0.001). N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels were substantially increased in the malnourished (versus well-nourished) groups, to a similar extent in lean (70.7 ± 177.3 versus 36.8 ± 40.4 pg/mL) and obese (73.1 ± 216.8 versus 33.2 ± 40.8 pg/mL) (p < 0.001 in both) participants. The obese-malnourished (high BMI, low SA) group also had greater left ventricular remodeling (left ventricular mass index, 44.2 ± 1.52 versus 33.8 ± 8.28 gm/m2; relative wall thickness 0.39 ± 0.05 versus 0.38 ± 0.06) and worse diastolic function (TDI-e' 7.97 ± 2.16 versus 9.87 ± 2.47 cm/s; E/e' 9.19 ± 3.01 versus 7.36 ± 2.31; left atrial volume index 19.5 ± 7.66 versus 14.9 ± 5.49 mL/m2) compared to the lean-well-nourished (low BMI, high SA) group, as well as all other subgroups (p < 0.001 for all). Over a median 3.6 years (interquartile range 2.5 to 4.8 years) of follow-up, the obese-malnourished group had the highest multivariable-adjusted risk of the composite outcome (hazard ratio [HR] 2.49, 95% CI 1.43 to 4.34, p = 0.001), followed by the lean-malnourished (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.04, p = 0.034) and obese-well-nourished (HR 1.41, 95% CI 0.77 to 2.58, p = 0.27) groups (with lean-well-nourished group as reference). Results were similar when indexed by other anthropometric indices (waist circumference and body fat) and other measures of nutritional status (PNI and GLIM criteria). Potential selection bias and residual confounding were the main limitations of the study.

CONCLUSIONS

In our cohort study among asymptomatic community-based adults in Taiwan, we found that obese individuals with poor nutritional status have the highest comorbidity burden, the most adverse cardiac remodeling, and the least favorable composite outcome.

Prevalence and outcomes of malnutrition among hospitalized COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition is inevitable in patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to its effect on the gastrointestinal system, immune system, and high metabolic activity. However, the prevalence of malnutrition and its outcomes is uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and outcome of malnutrition among patients with COVID-19.

METHOD

A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed/Medline; Science direct and LILACS from December 29, 2019 to September, 2020 without language restriction. All observational studies reporting the prevalence of malnutrition were included while case reports and reviews were excluded. The data were extracted with two independent authors with a customized format and the disagreements were resolved by the other authors. The methodological quality of included studies was evaluated using a standardized critical appraisal tool.

RESULTS

A total of 511 articles were identified from different databases and 27 articles were selected for evaluation after the successive screening. Fourteen articles with 4187 participants were included. The pooled prevalence of malnutrition among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 was 49.11% (95% CI: 31.67 to 66.54). The odd of mortality among patients COVID-19 with malnutrition was 10 times more likely as compared to those who were well-nourished.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of malnutrition and mortality associated with malnutrition among COVID-19 hospitalized patients was very high which entails a mitigating strategy by different stakeholders to prevent and manage malnutrition and its outcomes.

REGISTRATION

This systematic review was registered in Prospero's international prospective register of systematic reviews (CRD42020215396).

Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 was associated with acute kidney injury and mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome: Insight from the REACP study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. We aimed to evaluate the impact of malnutrition risk at admission assessed using Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) on AKI and mortality in patients with ACS.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We enrolled 3185 ACS patients from the retrospective multi-centre study. AKI was defined as criteria of the 2012 Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes. Risk of malnutrition was defined as NRS-2002 score ≥3. The end points were AKI and all-cause mortality. There were 926 (29.1%) patients with risk of malnutrition and 481 (15.1%) patients complicated with AKI during hospitalisation, and 378 (12.0%) patients died during the 13.1 (8.5-20.4) months of follow-up. Patients with NRS-2002 score ≥3 had a higher incidence of AKI and all-cause mortality (P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic and Cox regression analysis showed that the adjusted odd ratios and hazard ratios of categorised NRS-2002 (<3 vs. ≥3) for AKI and mortality were 1.643 (95% confidence interval: 1.242-2.172, P < 0.001) and 2.026 (95% confidence interval: 1.491-2.753, P < 0.001), respectively. In structural equation modelling, the indirect effects of NRS-2002 on mortality via AKI were 54.1% (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The risk of malnutrition assessed using NRS-2002 was useful in identifying high-risk patients with AKI and mortality, and patients with ACS may benefit from further nutritional intervention and prevention of AKI.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR1900024657.

Impact of Inadequate Calorie Intake on Mortality and Hospitalization in Stable Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Malnutrition is highly prevalent in patients with heart failure (HF), but the precise impact of dietary energy deficiency on HF patients' clinical outcomes is not known. We investigated the associations between inadequate calorie intake and adverse clinical events in 145 stable outpatients with chronic HF who had a history of hospitalization due to worsening HF. To assess the patients' dietary pattern, we used a brief self-administered diet-history questionnaire (BDHQ). Inadequate calorie intake was defined as <60% of the estimated energy requirement. In the total chronic HF cohort, the median calorie intake was 1628 kcal/day. Forty-four patients (30%) were identified as having an inadequate calorie intake. A Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the patients with inadequate calorie intake had significantly worse clinical outcomes including all-cause death and HF-related hospitalization during the 1-year follow-up period versus those with adequate calorie intake (20% vs. 5%, p < 0.01). A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that inadequate calorie intake was an independent predictor of adverse clinical events after adjustment for various factors that may influence patients' calorie intake. Among patients with chronic HF, inadequate calorie intake was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and rehospitalization due to worsening HF. However, our results are preliminary and larger studies with direct measurements of dietary calorie intake and total energy expenditure are needed to clarify the intrinsic nature of this relationship.

Malnutrition is independently associated with an increased risk of major cardiovascular events in adult patients with congenital heart disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Malnutrition is found frequently during chronic diseases, and its prevalence and relation to disease outcome in adult patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) remains unknown.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A cohort of 393 consecutive stable congenital heart disease (CHD) patients was followed up in a single dedicated clinical unit. Demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters, along with a nutritional risk index (NRI), were studied, as well as major acute cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as arterial thrombotic events, heart failure requiring hospitalization or cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular mortality. The median age of the patients was 23 years (17-35) and 225 (57%) were males. Median plasma albumin concentration was 4.5 (4.2-4.7) g/dL, the body mass index was 23 (21-27) kg/m², the NRI was 112 (106-118), and 33 (8%) patients showed malnutrition (NIR<100). A worse NYHA functional class (II and III), total cholesterol and serum glucose levels were significant risk factors associated with malnutrition (NRI<100) in CHD patients. During a median follow-up of 8 (5-10) years, 39 (10%) CHD patients suffered a MACE. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that older patients (years) [HR 1.06 (1.04-1.09), p < 0.001], CHD patients with great anatomical complexity [HR 4.24 (2.17-8.27), p < 0.001] and those with a lower NRI [HR 0.95 (0.93-0.98), p = 0.001] had a significant worse MACE-free survival, being the NRI a better predictor of MACE than albumin concentration.

CONCLUSIONS

A low NRI is independently associated with a significant increased risk of MACE in CHD patients.

Hypothetical acceptability of hospital-based post-mortem pediatric minimally invasive tissue sampling in Malawi: The role of complex social relationships

BACKGROUND

Child mortality rates remain unacceptably high in low-resource settings. Cause of death (CoD) is often unknown. Minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS)-using biopsy needles to obtain post-mortem samples-for histopathological and microbiologic investigation is increasingly being promoted to improve child and adult CoD attribution. "MITS in Malawi" is a sub-study of the Childhood Acute Illness & Nutrition (CHAIN) Network, which aims to identify biological and socioeconomic mortality risk factors among young children hospitalized for acute illness or undernutrition. MITS in Malawi employs standard MITS and a novel post-mortem endoscopic intestinal sampling approach to better understand CoD among children with acute illness and/or malnutrition who die during hospitalization.

AIM

To understand factors that may impact MITS acceptability and inform introduction of the procedure to ascertain CoD among children with acute illness or malnutrition who die during hospitalization in Malawi.

METHODS

We conducted eight focus group discussions with key hospital staff and community members (religious leaders and parents of children under 5) to explore attitudes towards MITS and inform consent processes prior to commencing the MITS in Malawi study. We used thematic content analysis drawing on a conceptual framework developed from emergent themes and MITS acceptability literature.

RESULTS

Feelings of power over decision-making within the hospital and household, trust in health systems, and open and respectful health worker communication with parents were important dimensions of MITS acceptability. Other facilitating factors included the potential for MITS to add CoD information to aid sense-making of death and contribute to medical knowledge and new interventions. Potential barriers to acceptability included fears of organ and blood harvesting, disfigurement to the body, and disruption to transportation and burial plans.

CONCLUSION

Social relationships and power dynamics within healthcare systems and households are a critical component of MITS acceptability, especially given the sensitivity of death and autopsy.

A cohort analysis of survival and outcomes in severely anaemic children with moderate to severe acute malnutrition in Malawi

INTRODUCTION

Moderate to severe acute malnutrition (SAM/MAM) and severe anaemia are important and associated co-morbidities in children aged less than five years. Independently, these two morbidities are responsible for high risk of in-hospital and post-discharge deaths and hospital readmissions. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the risk of death among severely anaemic children with moderate to severe acute malnutrition compared to children with severe anaemia alone.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of data collected from a large prospective study that was investigating severe anaemia in children aged less than 5 years old. The study was conducted at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre and Chikhwawa district hospital in southern Malawi. Children aged less than five years old; with severe anaemia were screened and enrolled. Each child was followed up for eighteen months at one, three, six, twelve and eighteen months after enrolment. Data were analysed using STATA 15.

RESULTS

Between July 2002 and July 2004, 382 severely anaemic children were enrolled in the main study. A total of 52 children were excluded due to missing anthropometric data. Out of the 330 included, 53 children were moderately to severely malnourished and 277 were not. At the end of the 18-month follow period, 28.3% of children with MAM/SAM died compared to 13% of children without MAM/SAM (RR 2.1, CI 0.9-4.2, p = 0.03). Similarly, children with moderate to severe malnutrition reported a significantly higher number of malaria infection cases (33.9%) compared to children with severe anaemia alone (27.9%, p = 0.02). However, the number of hospitalizations and recurrence of severe anaemia was similar and not statistically significant between the two groups (RR 0.8 (0.4-1.4), p = 0.6 and RR 1.1 (0.3-2.8), p = 0.8).

CONCLUSION

Among children with severe anaemia, those who also had moderate to severe malnutrition had a twofold higher risk of dying compared to those who did not. It is therefore crucial to investigate acute malnutrition among severely anaemic children, as this might be treatable factor associated with high mortality.

Malnutrition According to GLIM Criteria Is Associated with Mortality and Hospitalizations in Rehabilitation Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Malnutrition has a negative impact on patients with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD). The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of malnutrition, defined by the Global Leadership Initiative for Malnutrition (GLIM), in stable COPD patients referred to pulmonary rehabilitation, and to explore potential associations of malnutrition according to GLIM, and its components, with increased risk of mortality and hospitalizations in 2 years. In a post-hoc analysis of a prospective cohort of 200 rehabilitation patients with stable COPD, main outcome variables were hospital admissions, length of stay, and mortality during a 2-year follow-up. Covariates were malnutrition according to GLIM and its phenotypic criteria: unintentional weight loss, low body mass index (BMI), and low fat-free mass (FFM). Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed using logistic and proportional hazard Cox regression. Malnutrition according to GLIM showed 45% prevalence and was associated with increased mortality risk. Low age-related BMI and FFM were independently associated with mortality, which persisted after adjustment for age and lung function. Malnutrition and low BMI were also associated with increased risk of hospitalization. Malnutrition according to GLIM criteria was highly prevalent in rehabilitation patients with COPD and was associated with nearly 3 times greater mortality and hospitalization risk.

Evaluation of Nutritional Support and In-Hospital Mortality in Patients With Malnutrition

IMPORTANCE

Malnutrition affects a considerable proportion of patients in the hospital and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Recent trials found a survival benefit among patients receiving nutritional support.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether there is an association of nutritional support with in-hospital mortality in routine clinical practice.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cohort study was conducted from April 2013 to December 2018 among a population of patients from Swiss administrative claims data. From 114 264 hospitalizations of medical patients with malnutrition, 34 967 patients (30.6%) receiving nutritional support were 1:1 propensity score matched to patients with malnutrition in the hospital who were not receiving nutritional support. Patients in intensive care units were excluded. Data were analyzed from February 2020 to November 2020.

EXPOSURES

Receiving nutritional support, including dietary advice, oral nutritional supplementation, or enteral and parenteral nutrition.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were 30-day all-cause hospital readmission and discharge to a postacute care facility. Poisson and logistic regressions were used to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and odds ratios (ORs) of outcomes.

RESULTS

After matching, the study identified 69 934 hospitalizations of patients coded as having malnutrition in the cohort (mean [SD] age, 73.8 [14.5] years; 36 776 [52.6%] women). Patients receiving nutritional support, compared with those not receiving nutritional support, had a lower in-hospital mortality rate (2525 of 34 967 patients died [7.2%] vs 3072 of 34 967 patients died [8.8%]; IRR, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.75-0.84]; P < .001) and a reduced 30-day readmission rate (IRR, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.91-0.98]; P = .002). In addition, patients receiving nutritional support were less frequently discharged to a postacute care facility (13 691 patients [42.2%] vs 14 324 patients [44.9%]; OR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.86-0.91]; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

These findings suggest that nutritional support was associated with reduced mortality among patients in the medical ward with malnutrition. The results support data found by randomized clinical trials and may help to inform patients, clinicians, and authorities regarding the usefulness of nutritional support in clinical practice.

Association of malnutrition with all-cause mortality in the elderly population: A 6-year cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Few studies have explored the association between malnutrition, defined by the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), and all-cause mortality, particularly in the Chinese population. This study aimed to investigate the association between the GNRI and all-cause mortality in the elderly population.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Participants aged ≥60 years were eligible for this study and were divided into three groups by the GNRI: An adequate nutrition group, participants with a GNRI ≥98; mild malnutrition group, participants with a GNRI ≥82 but <98; and a severe malnutrition group, participants with a GNRI <82. The results implied that there was a positive association between severe malnutrition and all-cause mortality in the total population (hazard ratio (HR): 2.591 and 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.729-3.884), male subjects (HR: 2.903 and 95% CI: 1.718-4.906), and female subjects (HR: 2.081 and 95% CI: 1.071-4.046). Similar associations between severe malnutrition and all-cause mortality were observed in both the 60-69 and 70-79 years age groups (HR: 2.863 and 2.600, 95% CI: 1.444-5.678 and 1.394-4.849, respectively). However, no significant association was observed between mild malnutrition and all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe malnutrition could increase all-cause mortality in the 60- to 79-year-old population. However, there was no association of mild malnutrition with all-cause mortality.

County-Level Characteristics Driving Malnutrition Death Rates among Older Adults in Texas

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to identify older adult malnutrition in Texas, examine county-level characteristics associated with crude malnutrition death rates, and describe assets and opportunities available to address and improve malnutrition among the older population.

DESIGN

Secondary data analysis using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's WONDER online database, the U.S. Census 2014-2018 American Community Survey, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Access Research Atlas data.

SETTING

All 254 counties in the state of Texas.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals aged 65 years and older.

MEASUREMENT

The dependent variable was the proportion of county-level malnutrition crude death rates. Independent variables included Health Provider Shortage Area designations, rurality, poverty status, food access, age, race, ethnicity, and education.

RESULTS

The overall malnutrition crude death rate in Texas was 65.6 deaths per 100,000 older Texans, ranging from 0 to 414.46 deaths per 100,000 depending on the county. Higher malnutrition crude death rates were associated with non-metropolitan counties (P=0.018), lower education (P=0.047), greater household poverty (P=0.010), and low food access (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Socioeconomic disadvantages at the county-level appear to be one of the root causes of malnutrition crude death rates in Texas.

Nutritional Status and Indicators of 2-Year Mortality and Re-Hospitalizations: Experience from the Internal Clinic Departments in Tertiary Hospital in Croatia

We aimed to provide insight into nutritional and clinical indicators of malnutrition risk and their influence on two-year mortality and re-hospitalization rate among patients hospitalized in internal clinic departments in the tertiary hospital in Croatia. Initially, data on 346 participants were obtained, while 218 of them where followed-up two years later. At baseline, the majority of participants were old and polymorbid (62.1% suffered from arterial hypertension, 29.5% from cancer, and 29.2% from diabetes). Even apparently presenting with satisfying anthropometric indices, 38.4% of them were at-risk for malnutrition when screened with the Nutritional Risk Screening-2002 (NRS-2002) questionnaire (NRS-2002 ≥ 3). More importantly, only 15.3% of all participants were prescribed an oral nutritional supplement during hospitalization. Those that were at-risk for malnutrition suffered significantly more often from cancer (54.9% vs. 20.6%; p < 0.001) and died more often in the follow-up period (42.7% vs. 23.5%; p < 0.003). Their anthropometric indices were generally normal and contradictory 46.3% were overweight and obese (body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m²). Only 36.6% of nutritionally endangered participants used an oral supplement in the follow-up period. NRS-2002 ≥ 3 correlated with anthropometric indices, glomerular filtration rate, age, and length of the initial hospital stay. Unlike other studies, NRS-2002 ≥ 3 was not an independent predictor of mortality and re-hospitalizations; other clinical, rather than nutritional parameters proved to be better predictors. Patients in our hospital are neither adequately nutritionally assessed nor managed. There is an urgent need to develop strategies to prevent, identify, and treat malnutrition in our hospital and post-discharge.

Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index as a Tool to Evaluate Impact of Malnutrition Risk on Mortality in Adult Patients with Polytrauma

BACKGROUND

Identification of malnutrition is especially important in severely injured patients, in whom hypermetabolism and protein catabolism following traumatic injury worsen their nutritional condition. The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), based on serum albumin level and the current body weight/ideal body weight ratio, is useful for identifying patients with malnutrition in many clinical conditions. This study aimed to explore the association between admission GNRI and mortality outcomes of adult patients with polytrauma.

METHODS

From 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2019, a total of 348 adult patients with polytrauma, registered in the trauma database of a level I trauma center, were recognized and categorized into groups of death (n = 71) or survival (n = 277) and into four nutritional risk groups: a high-risk group (GNRI < 82, n = 87), a moderate-risk group (GNRI 82 to <92, n = 144), a low-risk group (GNRI 92-98, n = 59), and a no-risk group (GNRI > 98, n = 58). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the independent risk factors for mortality. The mortality outcomes of patients at various nutritional risks were compared to those of patients in the no-risk group.

RESULTS

The comparison between the death group (n = 71) and the survival group (n = 277) revealed that there was no significant difference in gender predominance, age, pre-existing comorbidities, injury mechanism, systolic blood pressure, and respiratory rate upon arrival at the emergency room. A significantly lower GNRI and Glasgow Coma Scale score but higher injury severity score (ISS) was observed in the death group than in the survival group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), odds ratio (OR), 0.88; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.83-0.95; p < 0.001), ISS (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.04-1.11; p < 0.001), and GNRI (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.91-0.97; p < 0.001) were significant independent risk factors for mortality in these patients. The mortality rates for the high-risk, moderate-risk, low-risk, and no-risk groups were 34.5%, 20.1%, 8.5%, and 12.1%, respectively. Unlike patients in the moderate-risk and low-risk groups, patients in the high-risk group had a significantly higher death rate than that of those in the no-risk group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that the GNRI may serve as a simple, promising screening tool to identify the high risk of malnutrition for mortality in adult patients with polytrauma.

Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition Criteria Predict Pulmonary Complications and 90-Day Mortality after Major Abdominal Surgery in Cancer Patients

Although several studies have reported an association between malnutrition and the risk of severe complications after abdominal surgery, there have been no studies evaluating the use of Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria for predicting postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) following major abdominal surgery in cancer patients. This study aimed to investigate the association among the diagnosis of malnutrition by GLIM criteria, PPCs risk and 90-day all-cause mortality rate following major abdominal surgery in cancer patients. We prospectively analyzed 218 patients (45% male, mean age 70.6 ± 11.2 years) with gastrointestinal cancer who underwent major abdominal surgery at our hospital between October 2018 and December 2019. Patients were assessed preoperatively using GLIM criteria of malnutrition, and 90-day all-cause mortality and PPCs were recorded. In total, 70 patients (32.1%) were identified as malnourished according to GLIM criteria, of whom 41.1% fulfilled the criteria for moderate and 12.6% for severe malnutrition. PPCs were detected in 48 of 218 patients (22%) who underwent major abdominal surgery. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the diagnosis of malnutrition was significantly associated with the risk of PPCs. Furthermore, in multivariate model analysis adjusted for other clinical confounding factors, malnutrition remained an independent factor associated with the risk of PPCs (RR = 1.82; CI = 1.21–2.73) and 90-day all-cause mortality (RR = 1.97; CI = 1.28–2.63, for severely malnourished patients). In conclusion, preoperative presence of malnutrition, diagnosed by the use of GLIM criteria, is associated with the risk of PPCs and 90-day mortality rate in cancer patients undergoing major abdominal surgery.

Wasted Children and Wasted Time: A Challenge to Meeting the Nutrition Sustainable Development Goals with a High Economic Impact to Ethiopia

Despite some progress in the reduction of the prevalence of child wasting in Ethiopia, the pace of progress has been slow. Despite millions of dollars being spent on the treatment of wasting every year, the increased frequency and magnitude of environmental and anthropogenic shocks has halted progress. This study aimed to present the trends of child wasting in Ethiopia and estimate the economic losses related to the slow progress towards meeting the sustainable development goal (SDG) targets. Weather shocks and civil unrest between 2015 and 2018 have halted progress. We used a "consequence model" to apply the coefficient risk-deficit on economic losses established in the global scientific literature to the Ethiopian health, demographic, and economic data to estimate economic losses related to child wasting. The impact of wasting on the national economy of Ethiopia is estimated to be 157.8-230.2 million United States dollars (USD), annually. The greatest contributor to the economic burden (43.5-63.5% of the burden depending on the discount rate) is the cost of supplies and human resources to treat wasting. To reach the 2030 SDGs, Ethiopia should increase its annual average reduction rate (AARR) in the numbers of child (<59 months) wasting from 0.1% to 5.4%. This will avert the wasting in 7.9 million cases and prevent additional economic costs of up to 803.7 million USD over the next decade. Increasing the reach of therapeutic interventions, but also identifying and implementing wasting prevention interventions, will be critical if the SDG targets are to be met and the opportunity of the children to thrive is not to be wasted.

Prediction of 5-year mortality risk by malnutrition according to the GLIM format using seven pragmatic approaches to define the criterion of loss of muscle mass

OBJECTIVES

To assess the association between baseline malnutrition according to the GLIM format, using seven pragmatic approaches to define the criterion of loss of muscle mass, with mortality in the SarcoPhAge (Sarcopenia and Physical Impairment with advancing Age) study during a 5-year follow-up. Secondarily, to calculate diagnostic performance indicators, concordance, and feasibility of these 7 pragmatic approaches compared to the original GLIM criteria.

METHODS

Post-hoc analysis of the SarcoPhAge cohort, which included 534 community-dwelling volunteers ≥65-year-old, followed-up from 2013 to 2019. Baseline malnutrition was defined by GLIM criteria and 7 approaches: 1) Omission of a reduced muscle mass as a criterion; 2) Substitution for handgrip strength, 3) Calf-circumference, 4) Mid-arm circumference, 5) Goodman's grid, 6) Ishii's score chart, and 7) Yu's formula. The association between malnutrition (according to GLIM criteria and the 7 approaches) and mortality was assessed by Cox-regressions. Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive (PPV), Negative (NPV) predictive values, area under the curve (AUC), Cohen-kappa coefficient, and TELOS-feasibility score were calculated.

RESULTS

Data to calculate GLIM criteria were available for 373 subjects (73.07 ± 5.96 years, 56% women). Prevalence of malnutrition with GLIM criteria was 24.4% (ranged from 13.9% to 20.9% with the 7 approaches). GLIM criteria showed a HR = 3.38 (1.89-6.09) to predict mortality during the 5-year follow-up, which ranged from HR = 2.72 (1.51-4.91) to 3.94 (2.14-7.24) with the 7 approaches. All 7 approaches were feasible (TELOS ≥ 3), showed sensitivity ≥ 65%, specificity ≥ 95.4%, PPV ≥ 85%, NPV ≥ 88%, AUC ≥ 0.7 and had almost-perfect/strong concordance (k ≥ 0.7) with the original GLIM criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

GLIM criteria and the 7 approaches predicted three-to four-fold mortality, all ensured an accurate diagnosis, and were feasible in clinical settings.

Impacts of geriatric nutritional risk index on prognosis of patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome: Results from an observational cohort study in China

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

It is recognized that malnutrition increases risk of worse prognosis in patients with various diseases. The present study investigated if poor nutritional status predicts adverse outcomes in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS AND RESULTS

The study enrolled 2299 patients (mean age: 60.01 ± 8.95 years; 71.8% male) with NSTE-ACS who underwent PCI at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January to December 2015. The entire cohort was divided into training set (n = 1519) and testing set (n = 780) at a ratio of approximate 2 : 1. Nutritional status was assessed by geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI). The primary endpoint was a composite of adverse events as follows: all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and any revascularization. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that GNRI significantly associated with primary endpoint, independent of other risk factors [hazard ratio (HR) 1.159 per 1-point decrease of GNRI, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.130-1.189, p < 0.001]. The addition of GNRI to a baseline model had an incremental effect on the predictive value for adverse prognosis in training set [AUC: from 0.821 to 0.873, p < 0.001; category-free net reclassification improvement (NRI): 0.313, p < 0.001; integrated discrimination improvement (IDI): 0.108, p < 0.001]. The incremental effect of GNRI was further validated and confirmed in testing set.

CONCLUSION

Lower GNRI is a significant predictor of adverse prognosis in patients with NSTE-ACS undergoing PCI. Further studies need to be performed to determine whether nutritional interventions have a positive impact on improving clinical prognosis.

Clinical outcomes and financial impacts of malnutrition in sepsis

BACKGROUND

In the United States in 2014 approximately 1.7 million adults were hospitalized with sepsis, resulting in about 270,000 deaths. Malnutrition in hospitalized patients contributes to increased morbidity, mortality, and costs, especially in the critically ill population.

AIM

Our goal was to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition in sepsis and the impact it has on clinical and financial outcomes in our most critically ill patients.

METHODS

We implemented nutritional screening by a registered dietitian of 1000 patients admitted with sepsis to specialized care units. We calculated the prevalence of malnutrition, and compared outcomes including mortality, length of stay, and financial costs.

RESULTS

About 10% of patients with sepsis admitted to our specialized care units were diagnosed with malnutrition on admission after implementation of mandatory assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

Although mortality did not reach statistical significance, these patients had more comorbidities, longer hospital stays, and higher total costs.

Relationship between Nutritional Status and Clinical and Biochemical Parameters in Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction, with 1-year Follow-Up

Heart Failure (HF) is a cardiovascular disease with continually increasing morbidity and high mortality. The purpose of this study was to analyze nutritional status in patients diagnosed with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and evaluate the impact of malnutrition on their prognosis. The Polish version of MNA form (Mini Nutritional Assessment) was used to assess the patients’ nutritional status. The New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, exacerbation of HF, chosen echocardiographic and biochemical parameters, e.g., natriuretic peptides or serum albumin, were also analyzed. Among the 120 consecutive patients, 47 (39%) had a normal nutritional status, 62 (52%) were at risk of malnutrition and 11 (9%) were malnourished. The patients with malnutrition more frequently presented with HF exacerbation in comparison to those with normal nutritional status (82% vs. 30% respectively, p = 0.004). There were no significant differences between the investigated groups as to natriuretic peptides; however, both the malnourished patients and those at risk of malnutrition tend to show higher B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and NT-proBNP concentrations. During the average 344 days of follow-up 19 patients died and 25 were hospitalized due to decompensated HF. Malnutrition or being at risk of malnutrition seems to be associated with both worse outcomes and clinical status in HFrEF patients.

Dietary advice and oral nutritional supplements do not increase survival in older malnourished adults: a multicentre randomised controlled trial

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the effect on survival after 6 months of treatment involving individual dietary advice and oral nutritional supplements in older malnourished adults after discharge from hospital.Methods: This multicentre randomised controlled trial included 671 patients aged 65 years who were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition when admitted to hospital between 2010 and 2014, and followed up after 8.2 years (median 4.1 years). Patients were randomised to receive dietary advice or oral nutritional supplements, separate or in combination, or routine care. The intervention started at discharge from the hospital and continued for 6 months, with survival being the main outcome measure.Results: During the follow-up period 398 (59.3%) participants died. At follow-up, the survival rates were 36.9% for dietary advice, 42.4% for oral nutritional supplements, 40.2% for dietary advice combined with oral nutritional supplements, and 43.3% for the control group (log-rank test p = 0.762). After stratifying the participants according to nutritional status, survival still did not differ significantly between the treatment arms (log-rank test p = 0.480 and p = 0.298 for the 506 participants at risk of malnutrition and the 165 malnourished participants, respectively).Conclusions: Oral nutritional supplements with or without dietary advice, or dietary advice alone, do not improve the survival of malnourished older adults. These results do not support the routine use of supplements in older malnourished adults, provided that survival is the aim of the treatment.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov with ID: NCT01057914.

Malnutrition Screening and Assessment in the Cancer Care Ambulatory Setting: Mortality Predictability and Validity of the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment Short form (PG-SGA SF) and the GLIM Criteria

Background: A valid malnutrition screening tool (MST) is essential to provide timely nutrition support in ambulatory cancer care settings. The aim of this study is to investigate the validity of the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment Short Form (PG-SGA SF) and the new Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria as compared to the reference standard, the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). Methods: Cross-sectional observational study including 246 adult ambulatory patients with cancer receiving in-chair intravenous treatment at a cancer care centre in Australia. Anthropometrics, handgrip strength and patient descriptive data were assessed. Nutritional risk was identified using MST and PG-SGA SF, nutritional status using PG-SGA and GLIM. Sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), positive and negative predictive values and kappa (k) were analysed. Associations between malnutrition and 1-year mortality were investigated by Cox survival analyses. Results: A PG-SGA SF cut-off score ≥5 had the highest agreement when compared with the PG-SGA (Se: 89%, Sp: 80%, k = 0.49, moderate agreement). Malnutrition risk (PG-SGA SF ≥ 5) was 31% vs. 24% (MST). For malnutrition according to GLIM, the Se was 76% and Sp was 73% (k = 0.32, fair agreement) when compared to PG-SGA. The addition of handgrip strength to PG-SGA SF or GLIM did not improve Se, Sp or agreement. Of 100 patients who provided feedback, 97% of patients found the PG-SGA SF questions easy to understand, and 81% reported that it did not take too long to complete. PG-SGA SF ≥ 5 and severe malnutrition by GLIM were associated with 1-year mortality risk. Conclusions: The PG-SGA SF and GLIM criteria are accurate, sensitive and specific malnutrition screening and assessment tools in the ambulatory cancer care setting. The addition of handgrip strength tests did not improve the recognition of malnutrition or mortality risk.

The GLIM criteria for defining malnutrition can predict physical function and prognosis in patients with cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) published a new international standard for defining malnutrition in 2018. The GLIM criteria were compared with the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) criteria in relation to physical function and mortality risk in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD).

METHODS

A total of 921 CVD patients ≥ 20 years old (67.8 ± 13.4 years, 631 men) hospitalised for heart failure, acute coronary syndrome and other conditions were stratified according to the presence or absence of malnutrition according to the GLIM and ESPEN criteria. Physical function was assessed by measuring grip strength, 6-minute walking distance and quadriceps isometric strength before hospital discharge, and the endpoint was all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

During the median follow-up period of 2.3 years (interquartile range, 0.9-3.5 years), 194 deaths occurred in the study population. Malnutrition defined by the GLIM criteria was significantly associated with low physical function. Malnutrition defined by both the GLIM and ESPEN criteria was significantly related to all-cause mortality (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Malnutrition defined according to the GLIM criteria was a predictor of both low physical function and mortality in patients with CVD.

The implementation of a nutrition protocol in a surgical intensive care unit; a randomized controlled trial at a tertiary care hospital

Background

Malnutrition in critically ill patients is linked with significant mortality and morbidity. However, it remains controversial whether nutrition therapy protocols are effective in improving clinical outcomes. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a surgical ICU nutrition protocol, and to compare the hospital mortality, hospital LOS, and ICU LOS of protocol and non-protocol groups.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Surgical ICU, Siriraj Hospital. The nutrition administration of the control group was at the discretion of the attending physicians, whereas that of the intervention group followed the “Siriraj Surgical ICU Nutrition Protocol”. Details of the demographic data, nutritional data, and clinical outcomes were collected.

Results

In all, 170 patients underwent randomization, with 85 individuals each in the protocol and non-protocol groups. More than 90% of the patients in both groups were at risk of malnutrition, indicated by a score of ≥ 3 on the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 tool. The average daily calories of the 2 groups were very similar (protocol group, 775.4±342.2 kcal vs. control group, 773.0±391.9 kcal; p = 0.972). However, the median time to commence enteral nutrition was shorter for the protocol group (1.94 days) than the control group (2.25 days; p = 0.503). Enteral nutrition was provided within the first 48 hours to 53.7% of the protocol patients vs. 47.4% of the control patients (p = 0.589). In addition, a higher proportion of the protocol patients (36.5%) reached the 60% calorie-target on Day 4 after admission than that for the non-protocol group (25.9%; p = 0.136). All other clinical outcomes and nutrition-related complications were not significantly different.

Conclusions

The implementation of the nutrition protocol did not improve the feeding effectiveness or clinical outcomes as compared to usual nutrition management practices of the Surgical ICU.

Malnutrition is associated with increased risk of hospital admission and death in the first 18 months of institutionalization

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the association between different nutritional and anthropometric parameters with the risk of hospitalizations and death within 18 months from nursing home admission. Our hypothesis was that measures of malnutrition could be more strongly associated with worse clinical outcomes than measures of overweight/obesity.

METHODS

This prospective study involved 144 older adults newly admitted in nursing home and followed up over 18 months. A multidimensional assessment focusing on clinical, functional and cognitive status was performed at baseline. Assessment also included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, calf circumference, MNA Short-Form (MNA-SF), and serum albumin and lymphocytes levels. Anthropometric measurements were repeated at 6 months. Data on hospitalizations and mortality over the study period, with their respective causes, were obtained from administrative data. The associations between baseline nutritional parameters and the risk of hospitalizations or death were analyzed through multinomial logistic regressions and Cox regressions, respectively.

RESULTS

During the follow-up, 64 individuals (44.4%) were hospitalized, and 52 (36.1%) died. Residents who reported low MNA-SF and calf circumference at nursing home admission had more than threefold-increased odds of hospitalizations compared with their healthier counterparts. Adults with low calf circumference also had the highest mortality (HR = 3.39, 95%CI:1.80-6.39), while more attenuated results were observed for low serum albumin, MNA-SF, and BMI (either when considering cut-offs of excess weight or malnutrition). When assessing the associations between 0 and 6 month changes in calf circumference and mortality in the following 12 months, we found that each 1 cm decrease in calf circumference increased the one-year mortality by 29% (95%CI 1.04-1.60).

CONCLUSIONS

Malnutrition, but not overweight/obesity, seems associated with a higher risk of hospitalization and mortality after nursing home admission. Monitoring calf circumference, in particular, may help in the early detection of individuals who are potentially vulnerable to adverse health-related outcomes after institutionalization.

Micronutrient Deficiencies Following Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy for Cancer

Over the past decades, survival rates for patients with resectable esophageal cancer have improved significantly. Consequently, the sequelae of having a gastric conduit, such as development of micronutrient deficiencies, become increasingly apparent. This study investigated postoperative micronutrient trends in the follow-up of patients following a minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) for cancer. Patients were included if they had at least one postoperative evaluation of iron, ferritin, vitamins B1, B6, B12, D, folate or methylmalonic acid. Data were available in 83 of 95 patients. Of these, 78.3% (65/83) had at least one and 37.3% (31/83) had more than one micronutrient deficiency at a median of 6.1 months (interquartile range (IQR) 5.4-7.5) of follow-up. Similar to the results found in previous studies, most common deficiencies identified were: iron, vitamin B12 and vitamin D. In addition, folate deficiency and anemia were detected in a substantial amount of patients in this cohort. At 24.8 months (IQR 19.4-33.1) of follow-up, micronutrient deficiencies were still common, however, most deficiencies normalized following supplementation on indication. In conclusion, patients undergoing a MIE are at risk of developing micronutrient deficiencies as early as 6 up to 24 months after surgery and should therefore be routinely checked and supplemented when needed.

Association of Baseline Inflammation With Effectiveness of Nutritional Support Among Patients With Disease-Related Malnutrition: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Inflammation is a key driver of malnutrition during illness and is often accompanied by metabolic effects, including insulin resistance and reduction of appetite. However, it still remains unclear if inflammation influences the response to nutritional support among patients with disease-related malnutrition.

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether patients' baseline inflammatory status is associated with the effect of nutritional support on 30-day mortality.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This is a secondary analysis of the Effect of Early Nutritional Support on Frailty, Functional Outcomes, and Recovery of Malnourished Medical Inpatients Trial (EFFORT), a randomized clinical trial conducted in 8 Swiss hospitals from April 2014 to February 2018. A total of 1950 participants who had C-reactive protein measurements at the time of admission were included in this secondary analysis. Data analysis was conducted between June and July 2019.

INTERVENTIONS

Hospitalized patients at risk for malnutrition were randomly assigned to receive protocol-guided individualized nutritional support to reach protein and energy goals (intervention group) or standard hospital food (control group).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary end point was 30-day mortality. Based on C-reactive protein levels at admission, patients were stratified into groups with low, moderate, or high inflammation (<10 mg/L, 10-100 mg/L, and >100 mg/L, respectively).

RESULTS

A total of 1950 patients (median [interquartile range] age, 75 [65-83] years; 1025 [52.6%] men) were included; 533 (27.3%) had low levels of inflammation, 894 (45.9%) had moderate levels of inflammation, and 523 (26.8%) had high levels of inflammation. Compared with the control group, patients receiving nutritional support showed a significant reduction in 30-day mortality, regardless of C-reactive protein level (adjusted odds ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.43-0.86; P = .005). In the subgroup of patients with high inflammation, there was no beneficial effect of nutritional support (adjusted odds ratio, 1.32; 95% CI, 0.70-2.50; P = .39), providing evidence that inflammation has a significant modifying association (P for interaction = .005).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Based on this secondary analysis of a multicenter randomized trial, a patient's admission inflammatory status was associated with their response to nutritional support. If validated in future clinical trials, nutritional support may need to be individualized based on a patient's initial presentation and markers of inflammation. These results may also help to explain some of the heterogeneity in treatment effects of nutrition seen in previous critical care trials.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02517476.

Mortality Attributable to Nutritional Deficiencies among Iranian Children under the Age of Five at National and Subnational Level: 1995-2015

BACKGROUND

Under-five mortality is considered an indicator of population well-being and health equality in societies. Under-five mortality caused by nutritional deficiencies is a public health concern in developing countries. In this study, we aimed to report the trend and mortality rate of nutritional deficiencies from 1995 to 2015 in children aged under five years.

METHODS

In this study, we used the death registration system (DRS) data to estimate age- and sex-specific nutritional deficiency mortality rates at national and sub-national levels in Iran from 1995 to 2015. The Iranian DRS used the 10th revision of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) but we report our results based on Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) study codes. We used the average annual percent change (AAPC) to quantify trend in under-five mortality rate attributable to nutritional deficiencies from 1995 to 2015.

RESULTS

At national level, mortality rates in both sexes were 8.53 (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 7.69-9.47), 1.04 (0.86-1.36), and 0.37 (95% UI: 0.28-0.57) per 100,000 in 1995, 2005, and 2015, respectively. AAPC was estimated between 1995 and 2015. At sub-national level, the highest and lowest mortality rates across provinces ranged from 17.7 per 100000 in 1995 to 1.1 per 100000 in 2015. In the latest years, protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) was the most frequent cause of mortality among other nutritional deficiencies.

CONCLUSION

The results show a substantial reduction in terms of mortality caused by nutritional deficiencies at national, as well as provincial, level among children under-five years of age.

A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of azithromycin to reduce mortality and improve growth in high-risk young children with non-bloody diarrhoea in low resource settings: the Antibiotics for Children with Diarrhoea (ABCD) trial protocol

BACKGROUND

Acute diarrhoea is a common cause of illness and death among children in low- to middle-income settings. World Health Organization guidelines for the clinical management of acute watery diarrhoea in children focus on oral rehydration, supplemental zinc and feeding advice. Routine use of antibiotics is not recommended except when diarrhoea is bloody or cholera is suspected. Young children who are undernourished or have a dehydrating diarrhoea are more susceptible to death at 90 days after onset of diarrhoea. Given the mortality risk associated with diarrhoea in children with malnutrition or dehydrating diarrhoea, expanding the use of antibiotics for this subset of children could be an important intervention to reduce diarrhoea-associated mortality and morbidity. We designed the Antibiotics for Childhood Diarrhoea (ABCD) trial to test this intervention.

METHODS

ABCD is a double-blind, randomised trial recruiting 11,500 children aged 2-23 months presenting with acute non-bloody diarrhoea who are dehydrated and/or undernourished (i.e. have a high risk for mortality). Enrolled children in Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Pakistan and Tanzania are randomised (1:1) to oral azithromycin 10 mg/kg or placebo once daily for 3 days and followed-up for 180 days. Primary efficacy endpoints are all-cause mortality during the 180 days post-enrolment and change in linear growth 90 days post-enrolment.

DISCUSSION

Expanding the treatment of acute watery diarrhoea in high-risk children to include an antibiotic may offer an opportunity to reduce deaths. These benefits may result from direct antimicrobial effects on pathogens or other incompletely understood mechanisms including improved nutrition, alterations in immune responsiveness or improved enteric function. The expansion of indications for antibiotic use raises concerns about the emergence of antimicrobial resistance both within treated children and the communities in which they live. ABCD will monitor antimicrobial resistance. The ABCD trial has important policy implications. If the trial shows significant benefits of azithromycin use, this may provide evidence to support reconsideration of antibiotic indications in the present World Health Organization diarrhoea management guidelines. Conversely, if there is no evidence of benefit, these results will support the current avoidance of antibiotics except in dysentery or cholera, thereby avoiding inappropriate use of antibiotics and reaffirming the current guidelines.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03130114. Registered on April 26 2017.

Impact of Energy intake at One Week after Hospitalization on Prognosis for Older Adults with Pneumonia

OBJECTIVES

This study objectives to investigate the influence of average energy intake at 1 week of hospitalization on prognosis for older adults with pneumonia.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational cohort study.

SETTING

The Japan Rehabilitation Nutrition Database comprise those with pneumonia in acute care hospitals.

PARTICIPANTS

The study included 329 pneumonia patients (aged over 65 years) who entered into the Japan Rehabilitation Nutrition Database (JRND) from November 2015 to March 2018.

MEASUREMENTS

Logistic regression analysis was performed to confirm the relationship of energy intake with the rate of mortality, discharge home, and pneumonia recurrence during hospitalization. Variables included in the multiple regression analysis model were age, sex, Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form score (MNA-SF) at hospitalization, A-DROP, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), and presence or absence of rehabilitation.

RESULTS

Of 315 patients with pneumonia (median age 85 years), 63.8% were men. 57.7% were assigned to the lack of energy intake (LEI) at 1 week after admission. Patients in the LEI group were older (p = 0.033), had higher A-DROP score (p < 0.001), and showed higher malnutrition rate in MNA-SF at hospitalization (p < 0.001) than those in the control group. Mortality, pneumonia recurrence (p = 0.001), median body mass index (p = 0.012), and low malnutrition in MNA-SF (p < 0.001) at discharge were significantly higher in the LEI group than in the control group. Logistic regression analysis showed that LEI was an independent risk factor for mortality (Odds ratio: 5.07, p = 0.002), discharge home (Odds ratio: 0.33, p = 0.007), and pneumonia recurrence (Odds ratio: 3.26, p = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

LEI at 1 week after hospitalization in older adults with pneumonia was an independent risk factor for mortality, difficult at-home recovery, and pneumonia recurrence. These findings suggest the importance of adequate energy intake from the early days of hospitalization.

Refeeding syndrome is associated with increased mortality in malnourished medical inpatients: Secondary analysis of a randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Whether the occurrence of refeeding syndrome (RFS), a metabolic condition characterized by electrolyte shifts after initiation of nutritional therapy, has a negative impact on clinical outcomes remains ill-defined. We prospectively investigated a subgroup of patients included in a multicentre, nutritional trial (EFFORT) for the occurrence of RFS.

METHODS

In this secondary analysis of a randomized-controlled trial investigating the effects of nutritional support in malnourished medical inpatients, we prospectively screened patients for RFS and classified them as "RFS confirmed" and "RFS not confirmed" based on predefined criteria (i.e. electrolyte shifts, clinical symptoms, clinical context, and patient history). We assessed associations of RFS and mortality within 180 days (primary endpoint) and other secondary endpoints using multivariable regression analysis.

RESULTS

Among 967 included patients, RFS was confirmed in 141 (14.6%) patients. Compared to patients with no evidence for RFS, patients with confirmed RFS had significantly increased 180-days mortality rates (42/141 (29.8%) vs 181/826 (21.9%), adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.53 (95% CI 1.02 to 2.29), P < .05). Patients with RFS also had an increased risk for ICU admission (6/141 (4.3%) vs 13/826 (1.6%), adjusted OR 2.71 (95% CI 1.01 to 7.27), P < .05) and longer mean length of hospital stays (10.5 ± 6.9 vs 9.0 ± 6.6 days, adjusted difference 1.57 days (95% CI 0.38-2.75), P = .01).

CONCLUSION

A relevant proportion of medical inpatients with malnutrition develop features of RFS upon hospital admission, which is associated with long-term mortality and other adverse clinical outcomes. Further studies are needed to develop preventive strategies for RFS in this patient population.

Mortality due to malnutrition in older adults, Colombia, 2014-2016

Introduction: Older people are positioned within the context of public health and nutrition as a vulnerable group. The priorities of the attention programs focus on eating habits and monitoring their nutritional status to improve their vital prognosis. Objective: To estimate the cases of death due to malnutrition of the population over 65 years old in Colombia for 2014 to 2016 to contribute to the analysis and decision-making in health to improve the nutritional situation of this population. Materials and methods: A retrospective descriptive study was carried out analizing death certificates from 2014 to 2016, whose basic cause of death was nutritional deficiencies and anemias. Mortality rates were estimated by sex and department of residence, and distribution frequencies were built based on demographic variables. Results: There were 3,275 deaths due to malnutrition in Colombia for the elderly in the study period (0.5% of total deaths). The mortality rate varied between 5.4 and 108.3 per 100,000 older adults. The highest mortality occurred in those over 80 years of age, especially in men. Conclusion: Caloric protein malnutrition in older adults is the most frequent cause of death due to malnutrition, followed by nutritional anemias. The highest mortality occurs in the age group over 80 years of age and the Amazonas, Guainía and Vaupés departments have the highest rates for all age groups.

Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in malnourished inpatients and associated with higher mortality: A prospective cohort study

The impact of vitamin D deficiency on the recovery of patients with malnutrition remains undefined. Our aim was to study the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in a well-characterized cohort of patients with malnutrition and its association with outcomes.Within this secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial, we examined the association of vitamin D deficiency and adverse clinical outcomes over a follow-up of 180 days in hospitalized patients at risk for malnutrition. We measured 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels upon admission and defined Vitamin D deficiency when levels were <50nmol/l. The primary endpoint was 180-day mortality.The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in our cohort of 828 patients was 58.2% (n = 482). Patients with vitamin D deficiency had increased 180-day mortality rates from 23.1% to 29.9% (odds ratio 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.94, P = .03). When adjusting the analysis for demographics, comorbidities, and randomization, this association remained significant for the subgroup of patients not receiving vitamin D treatment (adjusted odds ratio 1.63, 95% CI 1.01-2.62, P = .04). There was no significantly lower risk for mortality in the subgroup of vitamin D deficient patients receiving vitamin D treatment compared to not receiving treatment (adjusted odds ratio 0.74, 95% CI 0.48-1.13, P = .15).Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in the population of malnourished inpatients and is negatively associated with long-term mortality particularly when patients are not receiving vitamin D treatment. Our findings suggest that malnourished patients might benefit from vitamin D screening and treatment in case of deficiency.

Complementarity of modified NUTRIC score with or without C-reactive protein and subjective global assessment in predicting mortality in critically ill patients

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the concordance between the modified NUTRIC and NUTRIC with C-reactive protein instruments in identifying nutritional risk patients and predicting mortality in critically ill patients. The risk of death in patient groups was also investigated according to nutritional risk and malnutrition detected by subjective global assessment.

METHODS

A cohort study of patients admitted to an intensive care unit. Nutritional risk was assessed by modified NUTRIC and a version of NUTRIC with C-reactive protein. Subjective global assessment was applied to diagnose malnutrition. Kappa statistics were calculated, and an ROC curve was constructed considering modified NUTRIC as a reference. The predictive validity was assessed considering mortality in 28 days (whether in the intensive care unit or after discharge) as the outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 130 patients were studied (63.05 ± 16.46 years, 53.8% males). According to NUTRIC with C-reactive protein, 34.4% were classified as having a high score, while 28.5% of patients had this classification with modified NUTRIC. According to SGA 48.1% of patients were malnourished. There was excellent agreement between modified NUTRIC and NUTRIC with C-reactive protein (Kappa = 0.88, p < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve was equal to 0.942 (0.881 - 1.000) for NUTRIC with C-reactive protein. The risk of death within 28 days was increased in patients with high modified NUTRIC (HR = 1.827; 95%CI 1.029 - 3.244; p = 0.040) and NUTRIC with C-reactive protein (HR = 2.685; 95%CI 1.423 - 5.064; p = 0.002) scores. A high risk of death was observed in patients with high nutritional risk and malnutrition, independent of the version of the NUTRIC score applied.

CONCLUSION

An excellent agreement between modified NUTRIC and NUTRIC with C-reactive protein was observed. In addition, combining NUTRIC and subjective global assessment may increase the accuracy of predicting mortality in critically ill patients.

Mortality and recovery following moderate and severe acute malnutrition in children aged 6-18 months in rural Jharkhand and Odisha, eastern India: A cohort study

BACKGROUND

Recent data suggest that case fatality from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in India may be lower than the 10%-20% estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO). A contemporary quantification of mortality and recovery from acute malnutrition in Indian community settings is essential to inform policy regarding the benefits of scaling up prevention and treatment programmes.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We conducted a cohort study using data collected during a recently completed cluster-randomised controlled trial in 120 geographical clusters with a total population of 121,531 in rural Jharkhand and Odisha, eastern India. Children born between October 1, 2013, and February 10, 2015, and alive at 6 months of age were followed up at 9, 12, and 18 months. We measured the children's anthropometry and asked caregivers whether children had been referred to services for malnutrition in the past 3 months. We determined the incidence and prevalence of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) and SAM, as well as mortality and recovery at each follow-up. We then used Cox-proportional models to estimate mortality hazard ratios (HRs) for MAM and SAM. In total, 2,869 children were eligible for follow-up at 6 months of age. We knew the vital status of 93% of children (2,669/2,869) at 18 months. There were 2,704 children-years of follow-up time. The incidence of MAM by weight-for-length z score (WLZ) and/or mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) was 406 (1,098/2,704) per 1,000 children-years. The incidence of SAM by WLZ, MUAC, or oedema was 190 (513/2,704) per 1,000 children-years. There were 36 deaths: 12 among children with MAM and six among children with SAM. Case fatality rates were 1.1% (12/1,098) for MAM and 1.2% (6/513) for SAM. In total, 99% of all children with SAM at 6 months of age (227/230) were alive 3 months later, 40% (92/230) were still SAM, and 18% (41/230) had recovered (WLZ ≥ -2 standard deviation [SD]; MUAC ≥ 12.5; no oedema). The adjusted HRs using all anthropometric indicators were 1.43 (95% CI 0.53-3.87, p = 0.480) for MAM and 2.56 (95% CI 0.99-6.70, p = 0.052) for SAM. Both WLZ < -3 and MUAC ≥ 11.5 and < 12.5 were associated with increased mortality risk (HR: 3.33, 95% CI 1.23-8.99, p = 0.018 and HR: 3.87, 95% CI 1.63-9.18, p = 0.002, respectively). A key limitation of our analysis was missing WLZ or MUAC data at all time points for 2.5% of children, including for two of the 36 children who died.

CONCLUSIONS

In rural eastern India, the incidence of acute malnutrition among children older than 6 months was high, but case fatality following SAM was 1.2%, much lower than the 10%-20% estimated by WHO. Case fatality rates below 6% have now been recorded in three other Indian studies. Community treatment using ready-to-use therapeutic food may not avert a substantial number of SAM-related deaths in children aged over 6 months, as mortality in this group is lower than expected. Our findings strengthen the case for prioritising prevention through known health, nutrition, and multisectoral interventions in the first 1,000 days of life, while ensuring access to treatment when prevention fails.

The Problem of Hospital Malnutrition in the African Continent

This study aims to determine the prevalence of risk of malnutrition on admission and discharge in African hospitals, and to identify the association with selected indicators. In this multi-center prospective cohort study, adult patients from hospitals in South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana were screened on admission and discharge and contacted 3 months post-discharge. Relevant morbidity and mortality outcomes were assessed. At risk of malnutrition was indicated if NRS-2002 score ≥3. Adult patients (n = 2126; 43.11 years, IQR: 31.95-55.60; 52.2% female) were screened on admission and 61% were identified as at risk of malnutrition. The proportion of at-risk patients for the three hospitals in Kenya and Ghana (66.2%) were significantly higher than that of the three South African hospitals (53.7%) (Chi2 = 31.0; p < 0.001). Discharge risk of malnutrition was 71.2% (n = 394). Mean length of stay (LOS) was 6.46 ± 5.63 days. During hospitalization, 20.6% lost ≥5% body weight, 18.8% were referred for nutrition support, and discharge BMI (23.87 ± 7.38 kg/m2) was significantly lower than admission BMI (24.3 ± 7.3 kg/m2) (p < 0.001). Admission nutrition risk was associated with lower admission and discharge BMI (p < 0.001), longer LOS (p < 0.001), increased 3-month re-admission rates (Chi2 = 1.35; p = 0.245) and increased mortality (Chi2 = 21.68; p < 0.001). Nearly two-thirds of patients were at risk of malnutrition on admission. This was associated with longer LOS and greater hospital mortality. The nutritional status of patients deteriorated during hospitalization. Routine screening practices with appropriate nutrition support action should be implemented as a matter of urgency.

The Baseline Nutritional Status Predicts Long-Term Mortality in Patients Undergoing Endovascular Therapy

Introduction: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs at an advanced stage of atherosclerosis and its comorbidities are associated with poor prognoses. Malnutrition is related to the severity of atherosclerosis in patients with cardiovascular disease and it predicts mortality. The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is calculated from serum albumin concentration, peripheral lymphocyte count and total cholesterol concentration, and it robustly represents the nutritional status of hospitalized patients. This study aimed to determine the prognostic value of the CONUT score in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) who were undergoing endovascular therapy (EVT). METHODS and RESULTS: This study included 628 PAD patients who underwent EVT between 2013 and 2017 and were assigned to low (CONUT score 0: n = 81), mild (CONUT score 1–2: n = 250), moderate (CONUT score 3–4: n = 169), and high (CONUT score ≥ 5: n = 128) risk groups. The study’s primary endpoint was any death. Patients in the groups with higher CONUT scores were more likely to have chronic kidney disease (p < 0.001), impaired left ventricular ejection fractions (p < 0.001), and critical limb ischemia (p < 0.001) on admission. During follow-up, 95 patients (15%) died. Kaplan–Meier analyses revealed that the patients with higher CONUT scores had lower survival rates (p < 0.001; log-rank trend test). Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that following adjustments for the confounding factors, a higher CONUT score was significantly associated with any death (hazard ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.30). CONCLUSION: The simple index CONUT score at the time of EVT may predict long-term mortality in PAD patients.

Malnutrition, nutritional interventions and clinical outcomes of patients with acute small bowel obstruction: results from a national, multicentre, prospective audit

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status of patients presenting with small bowel obstruction (SBO), along with associated nutritional interventions and clinical outcomes.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

131 UK hospitals with acute surgical services.

PARTICIPANTS

2069 adult patients with a diagnosis of SBO were included in this study. The mean age was 67.0 years and 54.7% were female.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes recorded included: major complications (composite of in-hospital mortality, reoperation, unplanned intensive care admission and 30-day readmission), complications arising from surgery (anastomotic leak, wound dehiscence), infection (pneumonia, surgical site infection, intra-abdominal infection, urinary tract infection, venous catheter infection), cardiac complications, venous thromboembolism and delirium.

RESULTS

Postoperative adhesions were the most common cause of SBO (49.1%). Early surgery (<24 hours postadmission) took place in 30.0% of patients, 22.0% underwent delayed operation and 47.9% were managed non-operatively. Malnutrition as stratified by Nutritional Risk Index was common, with 35.7% at moderate risk and 5.7% at severe risk of malnutrition. Dietitian review occurred in just 36.4% and 55.9% of the moderate and severe risk groups. In the low risk group, 30.3% received nutritional intervention compared with 40.7% in moderate risk group and 62.7% in severe risk group. In comparison to the low risk group, patients who were at severe or moderate risk of malnutrition had 4.2 and 2.4 times higher unadjusted risk of in-hospital mortality, respectively. Propensity-matched analysis found no difference in outcomes based on use or timing of parenteral nutrition.

CONCLUSIONS

Malnutrition on admission is associated with worse outcomes in patients with SBO, and marked variation in management of malnutrition was observed. Future trials should focus on identifying effective and cost-effective nutritional interventions in SBO.