Malnutrition is highly prevalent in hospitalized cirrhotic patients and associates with a poor outcome.

Background and study aims: The role of malnutrition on the prognosis of hospitalized cirrhotic patients is incompletely studied. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of malnutrition, functional scores and their impact on prognosis of hospitalized cirrhotic patients. Patients and methods: This retrospective study included all patients with cirrhosis hospitalized in the gastroenterology unit at Saint-Luc university hospital, Brussels between April 2014 and September 2014. Nutritional status was evaluated according to minimum clinical summary diagnostic criteria. Cirrhosis-related complications or death occurrence were analysed in a one-year follow-up. Results: 95 cirrhotic patients were assessed for nutritional status and outcomes. Malnutrition affected 45.3% of patients and was more frequent with the severity of cirrhosis: 29% in Child-Pugh A, 48.8% in Child-Pugh B and 72.2% in Child-Pugh C patients. 58.9% of patients developed cirrhosis-related complications (60.7% in the malnutrition group vs. 39.3%, p<0.001, OR 5.06, IC95 1.90-14.58) and 33.7% of patients died (68.75% vs. 31.25%, p=0.002, OR 4.33, IC95 1.62-12.28). Adjusting for age, sodium, MELD, Charlson index, hepatocellular carcinoma, platelets, diabetes, prognostic nutritional index and Braden scale, malnutrition was significantly associated with higher mortality and morbidity rates with an OR of 3.56 (CI95 1.55-8.16) and 2.09 (CI95 1.16-3.77) respectively. Braden scale was significantly associated with higher mortality (p=0.027, OR 1.25, CI95 1.03-1.52) whereas prognostic nutritional index was associated with higher morbidity (p=0.001, OR 0.94, CI95 0.90-0.98). Conclusion: Malnutrition is highly prevalent in hospitalized cirrhotic patients. Malnutrition, low prognostic nutritional index and low Braden scale are associated with poor outcomes in cirrhosis.

Belgian consensus on irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterised by recurrent abdominal pain related to defaecation or associated with altered stool frequency or consistency. Despite its prevalence, major uncertainties in the diagnostic and therapeutic management persist in clinical practice. METHODS: A Delphi consensus was conducted by 20 experts from Belgium, and consisted of literature review and voting process on 78 statements. Grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluation criteria were applied to evaluate the quality of evidence. Consensus was defined as > 80 % agreement. RESULTS: Consensus was reached for 50 statements. The Belgian consensus agreed as to the multifactorial aetiology of IBS. According to the consensus abdominal discomfort also represents a cardinal symptom, while bloating and abdominal distension often coexist. IBS needs subtyping based on stool pattern. The importance of a positive diagnosis, relying on history and clinical examination is underlined, while additional testing should remain limited, except when alarm features are present. Explanation of IBS represents a crucial part of patient management. Lifestyle modification, spasmolytics and water-solube fibres are considered first-line agents. The low FODMAP diet, selected probiotics, cognitive behavioural therapy and specific treatments targeting diarrhoea and constipation are considered appropriate. There is a consensus to restrict faecal microbiota transplantation and gluten-free diet, while other treatments are strongly discouraged. CONCLUSIONS: A panel of Belgian gastroenterologists summarised the current evidence on the aetiology, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of IBS with attention for the specificities of the Belgian healthcare system.