SARC-F in hospitalized, geriatric medical patients - Feasibility, prevalence of risk of sarcopenia, and characteristics of the risk group, including one-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: SARC-F is an interview-based screening-tool recommended to rapidly screen for risk of sarcopenia - the loss of muscle mass and strength. Not previously investigated, this observational study aimed to assess the feasibility of the SARC-F screening tool in Danish geriatric medical patients, estimate the prevalence of risk, and investigate associations to predefined variables. METHODS: This was an observational cohort study with a one-year follow-up. All non-isolated patients ≥65 years, understanding Danish and admitted to a Danish geriatric medical ward in the capital region of Denmark, were recruited. If readmitted during the study period, they were not included again. The following data were collected upon recruitment; demographics, nutritional risk screening (NRS-2002), BMI, calf-circumference, Barthel-index, health-related Quality of life (QoL), hand-grip strength (HGS), and length of hospital admission. Additionally, the one-year follow-up included mortality, admission(s) to hospital, and visits to the emergency-room. RESULTS: From September 2017 to February 2018, 461 patients were admitted, 377 eligible, and 301 included. Study feasibility was 80%, and estimated feasibility if implemented in daily clinical practice was 85%, as some patients had to be excluded from screening due to cognitive impairment. The prevalence of the risk of sarcopenia upon admission for participants were 64.5%. Being at risk were characterized by significantly lower HGS, Barthel-index, and QoL, as well as longer admissions (men only), and one-year mortality (female only) (P ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Use of SARC-F is feasible in a geriatric setting, but only in older adults without severe cognitive problems. Risk of sarcopenia among geriatric patients ≥65 years is high, and the risk group is characterized by lower strength, functional- and QoL measurements, longer hospitalization (men only), and increased mortality (women only).

Comparison of a dual-frequency bio-impedance analyser with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for assessment of body composition in geriatric patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Measuring body composition is relevant in geriatric medical patients at high risk of sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass/strength) for diagnosis and monitoring efficacy of treatment interventions. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bio-impedance analysis (BIA) are widely used in research/clinical practices, but their agreement is unknown in this population. Therefore, it was investigated how a dual-frequency (DF)-BIA compares to DXA regarding replicability, direct comparisons and monitoring of total/segmental body composition in geriatric medical patients. METHODS: Measurements were taken while admitted to the geriatric medical ward and repeated 12 weeks after discharge for monitoring. Total population and gender-specific analyses were made. RESULTS: Thirty-one participants were included (age: 82 ± 6 years, BMI: 26.2 ± 4.3), and ten lost to follow-up. Replicability was high for both methods (R2 ; 0.956, 0.999, p < .0001, n = 31), however, with wide 5th-95th percentile ranges for individual agreement. Bland-Altman plots revealed significant fixed systematic and negative proportional biases for body composition variables-both for the direct comparisons (e.g., total LBM, 1.2 kg higher with DF-BIA, p < .05, n = 31) and for monitoring (total LBM, kg; men [n = 15]: DXA [0.96 ± 2.61] vs. DF-BIA [-0.35 ± 3.52] and women [n = 16]: DXA [-0.39 ± 1.51] vs. DF-BIA [-1.05 ± 2.24]). Generally, correlations for direct comparisons were higher than for monitoring (R2 ; 0.870, 0.947 vs. 0.048, 0.717 [head region not included], n = 31). CONCLUSION: DF-BIA and DXA cannot be used interchangeably in geriatric medical patients. However, high replicability shows that both methods may be used for monitoring under standardized conditions. Results indicate gender-specific differences, and segmental analysis can only be recommended with DXA using clear anatomical references.

Protein supplementation combined with low-intensity resistance training in geriatric medical patients during and after hospitalisation: a randomised, double-blind, multicentre trial.

Sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass/strength) burdens many older adults - hospitalised older adults being particularly vulnerable. Treating the condition, protein supplementation (PrS) and resistance training (RT) may act synergistically. Therefore, this block-randomised, double-blind, multicentre intervention study, recruiting geriatric patients > 70 years from three medical departments, investigated the effect of PrS combined with RT during hospitalisation and 12 weeks after discharge. Participants were randomly allocated (1:1) to receive PrS (totally 27·5 g whey protein/d, about 2000 kJ/d) or isoenergetic placebo-products (< 1·5 g protein/d) divided into two servings per d to supplement the habitual diet. Both groups were engaged in a standardised, progressive low-intensity RT programme for the lower extremities (hospital: supervised daily/after discharge: self-training 4×/week). From April 2016 to September 2017, 2351 patients were screened, 462 were eligible, and 165 included. Fourteen were excluded and ten dropped out, leaving 141 participants in the intention-to-treat analysis. The average total protein intake during hospitalisation/after discharge was 1·0 (interquartile range (IQR) 0·8, 1·3)/1·1 (IQR 0·9, 1·3) g/kg per d (protein-group) and 0·6 (IQR 0·5, 0·8)/0·9 (IQR 0·6, 1·0) g/kg per d (placebo group). Both groups improved significantly for the primary and secondary endpoints of muscle mass/strength, functional measurements and quality of life, but no additional effect of PrS was seen for the primary endpoint (30-s chair stand test, repetitions, median changes from baseline: (standard test: 0 (IQR 0, 5) (protein group) v. 2 (IQR 0, 6) (placebo group) and modified test: 2 (IQR 0, 5) (protein group) v. 2 (IQR -1, 5) (placebo group)) or any secondary endpoints (Mann-Whitney U tests, P > 0·05). In conclusion, PrS increasing the total protein intake by 0·4 and 0·2 g/kg per d during hospitalisation and after discharge, respectively, does not seem to increase the adaptive response to low-intensity RT in geriatric medical patients.

Protein-enriched, milk-based supplement to counteract sarcopenia in acutely ill geriatric patients offered resistance exercise training during and after hospitalisation: study protocol for a randomised, double-blind, multicentre trial.

INTRODUCTION: Age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, sarcopaenia, burdens many older adults. The process is accelerated with bed rest, protein intakes below requirements and the catabolic effect of certain illnesses. Thus, acutely ill, hospitalised older adults are particularly vulnerable. Protein supplementation can preserve muscle mass and/or strength and, combining this with resistance exercise training (RT), may have additional benefits. Therefore, this study investigates the effect of protein supplementation as an addition to offering RT among older adults while admitted to the geriatric ward and after discharge. This has not previously been investigated. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: In a block-randomised, double-blind, multicentre intervention study, 165 older adults above 70 years, fulfilling the eligibility criteria, will be included consecutively from three medical departments (blocks of n=20, stratified by recruitment site). After inclusion, participants will be randomly allocated (1:1) to receive either ready-to-drink, protein-enriched, milk-based supplements (a total of 27.5 g whey protein/day) or isoenergetic placebo products (<1.5 g protein/day), twice daily as a supplement to their habitual diet. Both groups will be offered a standardised RT programme for lower extremity muscle strength (daily while hospitalised and 4×/week after discharge). The study period starts during their hospital stay and continues 12 weeks after discharge. The primary endpoint is lower extremity muscle strength and function (30 s chair-stand-test). Secondary endpoints include muscle mass, measures of physical function and measures related to cost-effectiveness. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Approval is given by the Research Ethic Committee of the Capital Region of Denmark (reference no. H-16018240) and the Danish Data Protection Agency (reference no. HGH-2016-050). There are no expected risks associated with participation, and each participant is expected to benefit from the RT. Results will be published in peer-reviewed international journals and presented at national and international congresses and symposiums. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02717819 (9 March 2016).

The Effect of a Home Delivery Meal Service of Energy- and Protein-Rich Meals on Quality of Life in Malnourished Outpatients Suffering from Lung Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Undernutrition is prevalent in cancer patients and associated with increased incidence of complications and mortality. We investigated the effects of a home delivery meal service, providing a selection of energy-dense, protein-rich meals, on quality of life (QoL) in malnourished lung cancer patients. Forty lung cancer patients with nutritional risk score ≥3 (NRS-2002) were randomized to control or intervention. The intervention group was offered energy- and protein-rich main meals and snacks, delivered 3 times per week. The control group continued their habitual diet. Primary endpoint, QoL, and secondary endpoints were assessed at baseline, and after 6 and 12 wk. Data on unplanned readmissions, length of hospital stay, and mortality were collected 3 and 6 mo post-intervention. Intervention group improved standard Chair Stand Test (30-s CST) after 6 and 12 wk (P < 0.01) compared to control. Intervention exerted a significant positive effect on performance score after 12 wk (P  =  0.047). Increased energy and protein intakes were strongly associated with improved QoL, functional score, hand grip strength, symptom and performance scores. Food delivery service with energy- and protein-rich main meals and snacks can improve lower body strength and performance status in malnourished lung cancer patients.

The Effect of Preoperative Oral Immunonutrition on Complications and Length of Hospital Stay After Elective Surgery for Pancreatic Cancer--A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Major gastrointestinal surgery is associated with immune suppression and a high risk of postoperative complications. The aim of this open, randomized controlled trial was to examine the effect of supplementary per oral immunonutrition (IN) seven days before surgery for pancreatic cancer (PC) on postoperative complications and length of hospital stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes were the changes in functional capability and body weight (BW). Consecutive patients referred for surgery for diagnosed or plausible PC were included. The patients in the intervention group received supplementary IN (Oral Impact®, Nestlé) to reach a goal of 1.5 g protein/kg BW. The control group continued their habitual diet. Complications and LOS were independently assessed by the surgical staff. Secondary outcomes were measured 10, 20, and 30 days postoperatively. Thirty-five patients were included, of whom 19 (54%) were allocated to the intervention group. The doses of IN ranged from 250 to 1000 ml per day and the median compliance was 100 (0-100%). Based on the principle of intention-to-treat, no significant differences were found between the groups. We conclude that the lack of effect could be due to the limited dosage of IN, and/or because only 40% of the patients were at nutritional risk.