ESPEN Guidelines on Parenteral Nutrition: hepatology.

Parenteral nutrition (PN) offers the possibility to increase or to ensure nutrient intake in patients, in whom sufficient nutrition by oral or enteral alone is insufficient or impossible. Complementary to the ESPEN guideline on enteral nutrition of liver disease (LD) patients the present guideline is intended to give evidence-based recommendations for the use of PN in LD. For this purpose three paradigm conditions of LD were chosen: alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH), liver cirrhosis and acute liver failure. The guideline was developed by an interdisciplinary expert group in accordance with officially accepted standards and is based on all relevant publications since 1985. The guideline was presented on the ESPEN website and visitors' criticism and suggestions were welcome and included in the final revision. PN improves nutritional state and liver function in malnourished patients with ASH. PN is safe and improves mental state in patients with cirrhosis and severe HE. Perioperative (including liver transplantation) PN is safe and reduces the rate of complications. In acute liver failure PN is a safe second-line option to adequately feed patients in whom enteral nutrition is insufficient or impossible.

Validation of body mass index for the diagnosis of malnutrition in patients with liver cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVES: Simple clinical tools are needed to detect malnutrition in cirrhotic patients. We have validated optimal body mass index (BMI) cut-offs for the diagnosis of malnutrition in accordance with the importance of ascites. METHODS: BMI, mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) and triceps skinfold thickness (TST) were measured before paracentesis in study (SP) and validation (VP) populations of 875 and 294 cirrhotic patients, respectively with no ascite (NA), mild (MA), tense ascites (TA) (NA/MA/TA: SP: 327, 270, 278; VP: 111, 69, 114). Preserved nutritional status (SP: 259; VP: 93), malnutrition including severe and moderate malnutrition (SP: 251 and 365; VP: 92 and 109) were defined from MAMC and TST measurements. RESULTS: Optimal BMI cut-off values were 22, 23 and 25 kg/m2 in NA, MA and TA patients, respectively. In the whole SP and VP, sensitivities of these cut-offs were 86.2% and 89.1%, respectively; the corresponding negative predictive values (NPV) for the diagnosis of severe malnutrition were 92.3% and 93.2%; specificities and positive predictive values (PPV) were 87.7% and 89.9%, 92.7% and 93.6%, respectively for the diagnosis of malnutrition. In the entire VP, peripheral oedema did not change sensitivity and NPV of BMI cut-offs for the diagnosis of severe malnutrition and tended to increase specificity and PPV for the diagnosis of malnutrition. 96.7% of the malnourished TA patients in the VP before paracentesis were correctly identified after removal of ascites. CONCLUSION: BMI is a reliable parameter to detect malnutrition in cirrhotic patients with the above mentioned cut-offs. Peripheral oedema and removal of ascites do not affect its diagnostic performance.

Combined polymorphisms of tumour necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-10 genes in patients with alcoholic hepatitis.

OBJECTIVES: The development and progression of alcoholic hepatitis are controlled by an extensive cytokine network which involves pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Genetic variations determining production of these cytokines have been described and the susceptibility to the disease may be determined by an imbalance in the expression of several candidate genes. METHODS: We have studied biallelic single nucleotide polymorphisms at positions (-308) and (-238) in the promoter region of the pro-inflammatory tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and at positions (-1,082) and (-592) in the promoter of anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10) in 134 patients with severe biopsy-proven alcoholic hepatitis and 145 healthy subjects. RESULTS: The frequency distribution of isolated cytokine genotypes did not differ between the two groups. The combination of at least one A or A allele for TNF-alpha, associated with a TNF-alpha high-producer phenotype, and one A or A allele for IL-10, associated with an IL-10 low-producer phenotype, was less frequent in patients (20.9 vs 33.8%, P=0.016, OR (95% CI)=0.52 (0.30-0.89)). The same combination in patients was associated with a higher risk of septic complications (32.5 vs 16.0%, P=0.031, OR (95% CI)=1.79 (1.07-6.00)) but not with in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: We have not found any relationship between the isolated polymorphisms and the risk of alcoholic hepatitis. Moreover, the imbalance between the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses leading to high TNF-alpha production and low IL-10 was uncommon in alcoholic hepatitis. However, patients with this particular genotype appeared more susceptible to severe septic complications.

Diagnostic value of two reagent strips (Multistix 8 SG and Combur 2 LN) in cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and symptomatic bacterascites.

OBJECTIVE: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is a life-threatening complication in patients with liver cirrhosis requiring a rapid diagnosis. We have tested two reagent strips, Multistix 8 SG and Combur 2 LN for bedside diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and symptomatic bacterascites, a variant of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. METHODS: Responses of the two strips in colorimetric scale were compared with results given by cyto-bacteriological analysis of ascitic fluid. Results with positivity in grades 1 and 2 of colorimetric scale were analyzed. RESULTS: Four hundred and forty three paracentesis were performed in 116 patients including 46 samples of ascitic fluid with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis occurring in 25 patients and 20 samples of ascitic fluid with symptomatic bacterascites occurring in 17 patients. Forty two percent of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis were culture-negative neutrocytic ascites, gram-positive pathogens and enterobacteriaceae were responsible for 36% and 21% episodes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and 71% and 29% episodes of symptomatic bacterascites respectively. Fifty seven percent of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis had polymorphonuclear cell count<1000/mm3. For spontaneous bacterial peritonitis diagnosis, grade 1 positive Multistix and Combur tests had a sensitivity of 69.6% and 80.4% respectively, and a negative predictive value of 96% and 97.3%. Grade 2 positivity increased specificity to 98% and 99.2% and positive predictive value to 75% and 91% for the two strips respectively. Grade 1 positive tests had a sensitivity of 100% and 90% and a negative predictive value of 100% and 99.4% respectively for diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis with polymorphonuclear count > 1000/mm3. For symptomatic bacterascites diagnosis, grade 1 positive tests had a sensitivity of 22.4% and 44.4% respectively and a negative predictive value of 96% and 97%. CONCLUSION: Although Combur had a higher sensitivity than Multistix for the diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, sensitivity of the two strips remains low with polymorphonuclear cell count<1000/mm3. Grade 2 positive Combur test had an acceptable positive predictive value. Sensitivity of both strips is insufficient for diagnosis of symptomatic bacterascites. Rapid cyto-bacteriological analysis of ascitic fluid remains necessary for diagnosis of these complications.

Relations between undernutrition and nosocomial infections in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: Hospital-acquired infections and malnutrition are of major concern in public health in elderly patients. However, the interactions between these two entities are not well established. OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of nosocomial infections (NI) and its association with malnutrition. SUBJECTS: 185 hospitalised older adults aged 81.6+/-0.6 years old were nutritionally assessed on admission by measurement of anthropometric variables, serum nutritional proteins and evaluation of dietary intake. During hospitalisation, patients' progress was closely monitored, particularly for the detection of nosocomial infections. RESULTS: The incidence rate of NI was 59% and the global infection rate was 7.6/1,000 bed days. The most common infection site was the urinary tract (n=63). The nutritional status of the population was studied by comparing three groups defined according to the absence (group I, n=116), presence of one infection (group II, n=38) or presence of more than one infection (group III, n=31). All but one anthropometric parameters varied among the three groups. Total energy intake also varied among the three groups. The group I had higher daily nutrient intake than the other two groups (respectively P=0.004 and P<0.0001). Albumin, transthyretin, and C-reactive protein levels differed significantly among the three groups (respectively P<0.0001, P<0.0001 and P=0.0003). Age, energy intake, length of hospital stay and the presence of a urinary catheter were independent risk factors of nosocomial infection. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that patients with multiple NI were older, showed an altered nutritional status, a prolonged recovery, more frequently had urinary catheters and more discharge placement.

Enteral nutrition in severely malnourished and anorectic cirrhotic patients in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES: To determine among severely malnourished cirrhotic patients remaining anorectic during hospital stay which patients may benefit from enteral nutrition in clinical practice. METHODS: A prospective study including malnourished cirrhotic patients fed by enteral nutrition because of inadequate dietary intake after one-month hospitalization was carried out in a department receiving patients from other hospitals. Patients who died during hospital stay (N=35, group I) were compared to surviving patients (N=28, group II). RESULTS: Nutritional status and spontaneous dietary intake on admission to our department were in the same range in the two groups, Pugh score was higher in group I (11.1 +/- 1.9 vs 9.1 +/- 2.0, P=0.0001). The delay between previous hospital admission and the outset of enteral nutrition was comparable in the two groups. Its duration and total dietary intake during enteral nutrition were higher in group II (respectively 42.2 +/- 30.9 vs 15.2 +/- 33.1 days, P=0.0016 and 41.1 +/- 13.0 vs 29.9 +/- 10.0 kcal/kg/d, P=0.0004). Prevalence of side effects was higher in group I (54.3 vs 17.9%, P=0.0031). Multivariate analysis showed that Pugh score and septic complications were negatively associated with survival (respectively P=0.0196 and P=0.0078) while duration of enteral nutrition was positively associated (P=0.0435). Eighty six per cent of patients receiving enteral nutrition with bilirubin levels above 74 micromol/L on admission to our department died during hospital stay. Mid-term effects of enteral nutrition in surviving patients were improvement in Pugh score (7.5 +/- 2.0 vs 9.1 +/- 2.0, P<0.0001) and increase in spontaneous caloric and protein intake (29.7 +/- 15.3 vs 18.1 +/- 10.1 kcal/kg/d, P=0.0150 and 1.0 +/- 0.5 vs 0.6 +/- 0.3 g/kg/d, P=0.0049). CONCLUSIONS: In severely malnourished cirrhotic patients remaining anorectic after one-month hospitalization, patients with bilirubin level below 74 micromol/L may benefit from six-week enteral nutrition with mid-term improvement in liver function and increase in spontaneous dietary intake.

Evaluation of nutritional practice in hospitalized cirrhotic patients: results of a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the impact of malnutrition and nutrition practice in 396 hospitalized cirrhotic patients (Child stages A, B, and C: 60, 169, and 167 patients) in a readaptative unit for liver diseases. METHODS: Triceps skinfold thickness and mid-arm muscle circumference were measured at admission, and spontaneous dietary intake was evaluated at admission and during hospital stay. RESULTS: Ascites was associated with impairment of nutrition status: 49% and 30.4% of non-ascitic patients, 49.1% and 40.5% of patients with mild ascites, and 65.5% and 48.3% of patients with tense ascites had mid-arm muscle circumferences and triceps skinfold thicknesses, respectively, below the fifth percentile of a reference population (P < 0.05 and P = 0.02, respectively). Decrease in dietary intake paralleled worsening of liver failure: 48% and 34% of Child A patients, 51.7% and 35.8% of Child B patients, and 80.3% and 62.9% of Child C patients at admission had caloric intakes below 30 kcal/kg of body weight and protein intakes below 1 g/kg of body weight, respectively (P < 0.001). Mortality rate was 15.4% during hospital stay; Child-Pugh score (P = 0.0014), age (P = 0.0029), severe septic complications (P = 0.0050), and decrease in caloric intake during hospital stay (P = 0.0072) were independently associated with mortality. Twenty-four patients received enteral feeding that was initiated before admission in four patients and after 12.4 +/- 8.3 d of hospitalization in 20 patients because of low caloric intake (<25 kcal/kg) despite oral supplements. Patients receiving enteral feeding were older (P < 0.01), had a higher Child-Pugh score (P < 0.01), and a higher mortality rate (P < 0.001) than other patients. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalized cirrhotic patients have a high prevalence rate of malnutrition, and most do not satisfy their nutritional requirements. Decrease in caloric intake is an independent risk factor of short-term mortality. Enteral nutrition after failure of oral supplementation has no clinical benefit. Tube feeding may be indicated earlier in the course of the disease.

[Prognosis factors of short and long-term survival in elderly hospitalized patients after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy]. / Facteurs pronostiques de la survie à court et long terme après pose d'une gastrostomie percutanée endoscopique chez des malades âgés hospitalisés.

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the procedure of choice to achieve long-term enteral nutrition. The risks and benefits of PEG in elderly hospitalized patients have been poorly documented. The objective of this study was to describe the outcome of elderly patients one-year after insertion of a PEG tube. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Hospital records of 73 patients who underwent PEG for enteral nutrition were reviewed retrospectively. Data on patient age and sex, preexisting medical conditions such as dementia or pressure sores, indication for PEG, concomitant infection, complications of PEG and death were obtained from the hospital charts. RESULTS: The main indication for PEG was anorexia (49%). Before insertion of the gastrostomy tube, 44% of the patients had pressure scores, 30% had concomitant infection, 45% had dementia. PEG complications were observed in 51 patients. The survival rate at 1, 6 and 12 months was 0.68 [95% confidence interval - CI 95%: 0.56-0.78], 0.48 [CI 95%: 0.36-0.59] and 0.37 [CI 95%: 0.26-0.48] respectively. The presence of an infectious disease or of pressure sores at the time of PEG tube insertion were independently associated with mortality. Median survival of patients with these two factors was 32 days [CI 95%: 11-98]. CONCLUSION: According to these results, the PEG tubes should be inserted with a delay from infectious diseases and before the occurrence of pressure sores.

Nosocomial spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and bacteremia in cirrhotic patients: impact of isolate type on prognosis and characteristics of infection.

The characteristics of and prognosis for nosocomial spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) and bacteremia were examined in a prospective study that included data from 194 consecutive episodes of SBP and 119 episodes of bacteremia, 93.3% of which were nosocomial, in 200 hospitalized cirrhotic patients. Gram-positive pathogens were predominant (70% of the total) among isolates from nosocomial infections; the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was 24.8%. Nosocomial and staphylococcal infections were associated with a higher mortality rate than were community-acquired infections (P=.0255) and nonstaphylococcal infections (P<.001), respectively. In comparison with non-MRSA infections, MRSA infections were more likely to recur and occurred in a greater number of sites other than ascitic fluid and blood (P=.0004). Older age (P=.0048), higher Child-Pugh score (P=.0011), and infection with staphylococci (P=.0031) were independently associated with a higher mortality rate. The emergence of MRSA is important because of the recurrence and poor outcome associated with infection with such organisms.