Four-week administration of an energy and protein dense oral nutritional supplement improves micronutrient concentrations but does not completely correct deficiencies in institutionalized malnourished older adults.

Introduction: Poor food intake is common among elderly living in nursing homes, leading to micronutrient deficiency (MD). There are no recommendations for the management of MD in malnourished older adults. Methods: We conducted a single arm, open-label, multicenter interventional study in institutionalized malnourished older adults to describe the effect of a 4-week daily energy and protein dense oral nutritional supplementation (ONS, 600 kcal, 30 g protein per unit) containing 50% of the recommended daily micronutrient intake on micronutrient status. Plasma concentrations of vitamins (A, B9, B12, C, E), magnesium (Mg), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn), and erythrocyte vitamin B9 were measured at baseline and after 4 weeks. Results: Forty-six participants completed the study (age 87.4 ± 6.6). At baseline, the most frequent MD were Se (48%), Zn (35%), Mg (24%) and vitamin C (24%). Plasma concentrations of vitamins B9, B12, C and E, Mg, Se and Zn significantly increased and the proportion of subjects with at least one MD decreased (p = 0.006). However, after 4 weeks, 40% of subjects still had at least one MD. Discussion: ONS consumption improved micronutrient status but did not correct MD in all participants. Our data suggest that the prescription of vitamin, mineral and trace element supplementation should be considered in institutionalized malnourished older adults in addition to high energy and high protein ONS.

Impact of 3-week citrulline supplementation on postprandial protein metabolism in malnourished older patients: The Ciproage randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Citrulline (CIT), is not extracted by the splanchnic area, can stimulate muscle protein synthesis and could potentially find clinical applications in conditions involving low amino acid (AA) intake, such as in malnourished older subjects. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to research the effects of CIT supplementation on protein metabolism in particular on non-oxidative leucine disposal (NOLD, primary endpoint), and splanchnic extraction of amino acids in malnourished older patients. DESIGN: This prospective randomized multicenter study determined whole-body and liver protein synthesis, splanchnic protein metabolism and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) in 24 malnourished older patients [80-92 years; 18 women and 6 men] in inpatient rehabilitation units. All received an oral dose of 10 g of CIT or an equimolar mixture of six non-essential amino acids (NEAAs), as isonitrogenous placebo, for 3 weeks. RESULTS: NOLD and albumin fractional synthesis rates were not different between the NEAA and CIT groups. Splanchnic extraction of dietary amino acid tended to decrease (p = 0.09) in the CIT group (45.2%) compared with the NEAA group (60.3%). Total differences in AA and NEAA area under the curves between fed-state and postabsorptive-state were significantly higher in the CIT than in the NEAA group. There were no significant differences for body mass index, fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM) or ASMM in the whole population except for a tendential decrease in FM for the citrulline group (p = 0.089). Compared with Day 1, lean mass and ASMM significantly increased (respectively p = 0.016 and p = 0.018) at Day 20 in CIT-treated women (mean respective increase of 1.7 kg and 1.1 kg), and fat mass significantly decreased (p = 0.001) at Day 20 in CIT-group women (mean decrease of 1.3 kg). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that CIT supplementation has no effect on whole-body protein synthesis or liver protein synthesis in malnourished older subjects. However, CIT supplementation was associated with a higher systemic AA availability. In the subgroup of women, CIT supplementation increased LM and ASMM, and decreased FM.

Long-lasting improved amino acid bioavailability associated with protein pulse feeding in hospitalized elderly patients: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Aging is associated with a blunted anabolic response to dietary intake, possibly related to a decrease in systemically available amino acids (AAs), which in turn may stem from increased splanchnic AA metabolism. Splanchnic sequestration can be saturated by pulse feeding (80% of daily protein intake in a single meal), enabling increased protein synthesis. The aim of this study was to explore whether protein pulse feeding increased postprandial AA concentrations, and if so whether this increase persisted after 6 wk of dietary treatment. METHODS: This prospective randomized study enrolled 66 elderly malnourished or at-risk patients in an inpatient rehabilitation unit. All were given a controlled diet for 6 wk. In a spread diet (SD) group (n = 36), dietary protein was spread over the four daily meals. In a pulse diet (PD) group (n = 30), 72% of dietary protein (averaging 1.31 g/kg body weight daily) was consumed in one meal at noon. The patients were evaluated on day 1 and at 6 wk for plasma postprandial (five times from 0 to +180 min) AA concentrations (expressed as area under the curve above baseline). RESULTS: Protein pulse feeding was more efficient than protein spread feeding at increasing plasma postprandial AA concentrations, notably of essential AAs. This increased postprandial AA bioavailability was maintained after 6 wk. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that increased postprandial AA bioavailability induced by protein pulse feeding persists after 6 wk (i.e., that there is no metabolic adaptation blunting AA bioavailability).

Impact of protein pulse feeding on lean mass in malnourished and at-risk hospitalized elderly patients: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Aging is associated with a blunted anabolic response to dietary intake, possibly related to a decrease in systemically available amino acids (AAs), which in turn may stem from increased splanchnic AA metabolism. This splanchnic sequestration can be saturated by pulse feeding (80% of daily protein intake in a single meal), enabling increased protein synthesis. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a new nutritional strategy, termed protein pulse feeding. METHODS: This prospective randomized study (ClinicalTrials.gov registration number NCT00135590) enrolled 66 elderly malnourished or at-risk patients in an inpatient rehabilitation unit. All were given a controlled diet for 6 weeks. In a spread diet (SD) group (n = 36), dietary protein was spread over the four daily meals. In a pulse diet (PD) group (n = 30), 72% of dietary protein (1.31 g/kg weight/d on average) was consumed in one meal at noon. The patients were evaluated at admission and at 6 weeks for body composition [lean mass (LM), appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM), and body cell mass (BCM) indices, measured by X-ray absorptiometry combined with bioelectrical impedance analysis] (primary outcome), hand grip strength, and activities of daily living (ADL) score. RESULTS: Protein pulse feeding was significantly more efficacious than protein spread feeding in improving LM index (mean changes from baseline for PD group: +0.38 kg/m(2); 95% confidence interval (CI), [0; 0.60]; for SD group: -0.21 kg/m(2); 95% CI, [-0.61; 0.20]; p = 0.005 between the two groups), ASMM index (+0.21 kg/m(2); 95% CI, [0; 0.34] and -0.11 kg/m(2); 95% CI, [-0.20; 0.09]; p = 0.022), BCM index (+0.44 kg/m(2); 95% CI, [0.08; 0.52] and -0.04 kg/m(2); 95% CI, [-0.09; 0.10]; p = 0.004). There was no significant effect for hand-grip strength or ADL score. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates for the first time that protein pulse feeding has a positive, clinically relevant effect on lean mass in malnourished and at-risk hospitalized elderly patients.

Leptin is better than any other biological parameter for monitoring the efficacy of renutrition in hospitalized malnourished elderly patients.

OBJECTIVE: Despite malnutrition being a major problem in hospitalized elderly patients, there is a lack of studies focusing on the comparative value of biological parameters for monitoring renutrition. The aim of this study was to determine which biological parameter(s) could best monitor successful renutrition in hospitalized malnourished elderly patients. DESIGN: The objective of the study was to explore the impact of a 6-week renutrition process on anthropometric and biological parameters in elderly patients and to define the biological parameters associated with weight regain. PATIENTS: A total of 72 hospitalized malnourished elderly patients admitted to a hospital-based geriatric rehabilitation unit. MEASUREMENTS: Patients were evaluated at admission and at 6 weeks for anthropometric measurements of weight, sum of the four subcutaneous skinfold thicknesses, calf circumference and biological serum parameters including albumin, transthyretin, leptin, IGF-1, IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3. Renutrition was considered successful if a patient gained at least 5% of body weight over 6 weeks. RESULTS: Leptin was the only biological parameter that increased at 6 weeks in successful renutrition. Leptin variations were not influenced by C-reactive protein variations, in contrast to transthyretin which can be modified by the inflammatory states frequently encountered in geriatric patients. CONCLUSIONS: Serum leptin is a more appropriate parameter than transthyretin for monitoring renutrition.

Evidence that albumin is not a suitable marker of body composition-related nutritional status in elderly patients.

OBJECTIVE: Serum albumin has long been used in clinical practice as a marker of protein-energy undernutrition, but very few studies have focused on its relation with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-assessed lean mass measurements, which is the current reference method in routine for body composition-related nutritional status. Serum albumin concentration is also affected by non-nutrition-related factors, and there is published evidence on the relation between serum albumin concentration and morbidity/mortality in the elderly. This study was designed to examine the relationship between serum albumin and lean mass and nutrition-related risk of morbidity/mortality in geriatric patients. Our objective was to clarify whether serum albumin in geriatric patients is a marker of body composition-related nutritional status, risk of morbidity/mortality, neither, or both. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 125 elderly patients hospitalized in a rehabilitation unit [83.8 (SD 7.7) y]. Subjects were evaluated for serum albumin concentration and nutritional status at admission [body mass index, lean mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, and body cell mass index (calculated as the ratio of the mass to the square of the height), evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry combined with bioelectrical impedance analysis]. Outcome scores were assessed 6 mo later, taking into account complications (pressure ulcers and/or infections) and 6-mo mortality. RESULTS: Serum albumin concentration was not correlated with the lean mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, or body cell mass indexes. Serum albumin concentration was, however, correlated with outcome score (r = 0.22, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: This study clearly demonstrates that albumin is not suitable as a marker of body composition in elderly patients.

[Utility of soluble transferrin receptor measurement for early diagnostic of iron deficiency in elderly hospitalized patients]. / Intérêt du dosage du récepteur soluble de la transferrine dans le diagnostic biologique précoce du déficit martial chez les patients âgés hospitalisés.

Diagnosis of iron deficiency is not easily performed in inflammatory situation as usually encountered in elderly hospitalized patients (>70 years old). At first, we determined serum soluble receptor transferrin (RsTf), RsTf/serum ferritin ratio (RsTf-F index) and biochemical and haematological values used to evaluate iron status, in iron-depleted subjects (ferritinemia≤50 µg/L) (group 2) (n=22, 82±7 years) or not (group 1, reference group) (n=18, 82±6 years), without inflammatory diseases. Relevance of the biological parameters to diagnose iron deficiency was evaluated (ROC curve) and a cut-off value of RsTf-F (>1.85) was established. Then, we selected 60 patients (group 3) suspect of iron deficiency as previously validated with an inflammatory syndrome (CRP>12 mg/L). Almost all patients (95%) presented at least one risk factor of iron deficiency (anticoagulant drugs, nutritional or gastrointestinal diseases). In group 3, index RsTf-F values were increased (RsTf-F: 2.69±0.82 versus group 1: 1.25±0.34, p<0.05), in anemic patients (women Hb<120 g/L, men Hb<130 g/L) (n=42) and in non-anemic patients (n=18) (respectively RsTf-F: 2.84±0.87 versus 2.35±0.58, p<0.05). Thus, in elderly patients with inflammatory disorders, RsTf-F index could suspect iron deficiency before appearance of biological anemia.

Fat mass protects hospitalized elderly persons against morbidity and mortality.

BACKGROUND: It is well established that the combination of protein-energy malnutrition and low body mass index (BMI) increases the risk of death in elderly patients, but recent studies indicate that the risk of death may decrease with higher body weight. However, these studies did not perform direct, separate, and reliable measurements of fat and lean mass by using a reference technique. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate the relation between body composition, based on the 4-compartment model, and morbidity and mortality in hospitalized elderly patients. DESIGN: This prospective study enrolled 125 elderly patients evaluated at admission for body composition on the basis of BMI plus fat mass, lean mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, and body cell mass indexes (calculated as the ratio of the mass to the square of the height) measured by X-ray absorptiometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Outcomes were assessed 6 mo later by using a score system that takes into account complications (pressure ulcers and/or infections) and 6-mo mortality. RESULTS: The fat mass index correlated positively (r = 0.19 and P = 0.023 adjusted for sex; r = 0.18 and P = 0.043 adjusted for sex, albuminemia, and C-reactive protein) with outcome score (1: death, 2: complications, 3: no complications). There was no significant correlation between outcome score and BMI, lean mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, and body cell mass indexes. CONCLUSIONS: This study clearly indicates that the generally accepted rule that overweight is associated with morbidity and mortality does not apply to hospitalized elderly patients, for whom fat mass is associated with a decreased risk of adverse events.

Medical information and surrogate designation: results of a prospective study in elderly hospitalised patients.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the preferences of French elderly inpatients concerning medical information and surrogate designation in life-threatening situations. METHODS: Intention-to-act questionnaire was completed by two geriatricians during a patient interview in the week following admission in three geriatric units in France. The participants were elderly patients (> or =70 years) with adequate cognitive performance for decision making as assessed by the Mini Mental State Examination. The impact of socio-demographic factors, level of confidence in medical care, cognitive or physical disability on surrogate designation and amount of medical information expected were measured. MEASUREMENTS: Impact of socio-demographic factors, level of confidence in medical care, cognitive or physical disability on surrogate designation and amount of medical information expected. RESULTS: 426 consecutive elderly patients were recruited. 32.6% wanted to receive complete information about their care and 77% declared they would want to be informed if they were in a life-threatening situation. 4.5% reported they would not want any medical information. A family member was designated as surrogate by 73% of the patients. In 28%, a second surrogate was also designated, usually the family physician (22%) or a member of the hospital medical staff (10%). Polytomous logistic regression analysis was used to assess determinants of the amount of information expected and social and medical parameters. MMSE score, the presence of physical disability, a low level of confidence in medicine and the presence of children were identified as independent determinants of a high level of information expectation. CONCLUSION: Elderly hospitalised patients expressed a strong desire to receive extensive information and were willing to designate a surrogate in a life-threatening situation. The surrogate was usually a family member alone or with another person, usually a practitioner.

Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index: a new index for evaluating at-risk elderly medical patients.

BACKGROUND: Patients at risk of malnutrition and related morbidity and mortality can be identified with the Nutritional Risk Index (NRI). However, this index remains limited for elderly patients because of difficulties in establishing their normal weight. OBJECTIVE: Therefore, we replaced the usual weight in this formula by ideal weight according to the Lorentz formula (WLo), creating a new index called the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI). DESIGN: First, a prospective study enrolled 181 hospitalized elderly patients. Nutritional status [albumin, prealbumin, and body mass index (BMI)] and GNRI were assessed. GNRI correlated with a severity score taking into account complications (bedsores or infections) and 6-mo mortality. Second, the GNRI was measured prospectively in 2474 patients admitted to a geriatric rehabilitation care unit over a 3-y period. RESULTS: The severity score correlated with albumin and GNRI but not with BMI or weight:WLo. Risk of mortality (odds ratio) and risk of complications were, respectively, 29 (95% CI: 5.2, 161.4) and 4.4 (95% CI: 1.3, 14.9) for major nutrition-related risk (GNRI: <82), 6.6 (95% CI: 1.3, 33.0), 4.9 (95% CI: 1.9, 12.5) for moderate nutrition-related risk (GNRI: 82 to <92), and 5.6 (95% CI: 1.2, 26.6) and 3.3 (95% CI: 1.4, 8.0) for a low nutrition-related risk (GNRI: 92 to < or =98). Accordingly, 12.2%, 31.4%, 29.4%, and 27.0% of the 2474 patients had major, moderate, low, and no nutrition-related risk, respectively. CONCLUSION: GNRI is a simple and accurate tool for predicting the risk of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized elderly patients and should be recorded systematically on admission.

Antiphospholipid antibodies and the risk of thromboembolic events in valvular heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) in subsequent thromboembolic events and mortality in a prospective follow-up of 89 patients with severe, nonspecific valvular heart disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between November 1, 1993, and March 31, 1994, 89 patients with valvular heart disease were assessed for the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies and lupus anticoagulant. The primary end point was thromboembolic events, and the secondary end points were cardiovascular mortality and overall mortality. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for a mean of 59 months; 1 patient (without aPLs) was lost to follow-up. Nineteen patients had increased titers of aPLs. Thromboembolic events were significantly more frequent in the aPL-positive group than in the aPL-negative group (7/19 [37%] vs 8/70 [11%]; P=.01). Cardiovascular mortality tended to be higher in the aPL-positive group than in the aPL-negative group (3 [16%] vs 6 [9%]; P = .40). However, in multivariate Cox analysis, presence of aPLs was not an independent risk factor for thromboembolic events. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that patients with severe valvular heart disease and aPLs have an increased risk for developing thromboembolic events.