Effect of non-pharmacological intervention on the nutritional status of patients with Prader Willi Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is highly prevalent in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), particularly among adults. This condition, which can be morbid in many cases, is multifactorial and has a complex management. The purpose of our study was to describe the feasibility of achieving a better nutritional status, including normal weight in individuals diagnosed with PWS, through specific nutritional interventions within the framework of a transdisciplinary treatment and without resorting to pharmacological treatments or growth hormone (GH). METHODOLOGY: This observational study included patients with confirmed genetic diagnosis of PWS, receiving transdisciplinary treatment in a specialized rare diseases institution. Patients under treatment with GH and those under pharmacological treatment with nutritional objectives were excluded from the study. All patients attended our institution regularly on a weekly or fortnightly basis. Anthropometric records, including weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated in each visit from treatment onset until the last check-up. RESULTS: We included 24 patients with confirmed genetic diagnosis of PWS. At baseline, 9 patients (38 %) had obesity grade III, 1 (4 %) of obesity grade II, 10 (42 %) of obesity grade I, 2 (8 %) of overweight, and 2 patients (8 %) with normal baseline weight. After a median duration of 52 months (interquartile range 23-116 months) of transdisciplinary nutritional treatment, we identified a significant reduction in BMI (baseline 40.2 ± 15.7 kg/m2 vs. follow-up 28.3 ± 6.7 kg/m2, p < 0.0001), without significant differences regarding height (baseline 1.45 ± 0.1 m vs. follow-up 1.48 ± 0.1 m, p = 0.09). CONCLUSION: In this study, we demonstrated that nutritional nonpharmacologic interventions immersed in a transdisciplinary treatment enabled a consistent and sustainable improvement in BMI and nutritional status among patients with PWS.

Evaluation of the safety and tolerability of exogenous ketosis induced by orally administered free beta-hydroxybutyrate in healthy adult subjects.

Beta-hydroxybutyrate (D-BHB) is a metabolite with intrinsic signalling activity that has gained attention as a potentially clinically useful supplement. There are available supplements for inducing ketosis: ketone salts, ketone esters and medium-chain triglycerides. Even when all of them raise D-BHB in the blood and all are safe and well tolerated, they significantly differ in their safety profile, their palatability and their price. A fourth and potentially interesting option is to use biologically identical D-BHB, which it is already commercially available in the USA (American Ketone) and Greater China (MedPHA). However, its safety and tolerability had not yet been documented in the scientific literature. We evaluated the safety and tolerability of orally administered free D-BHB in a gender and age-balanced sample of 24 asymptomatic and overtly healthy adults. No participant showed acid-base abnormalities or electrolyte abnormalities. Secondary symptoms were reported after only 6.2% of all drink takes and none of the reports described the symptom as 'severe'. The most frequently reported secondary effects (19/720 or 2.6%) were gastrointestinal discomfort, headache (7/720 or 1%) and loss of appetite (7/720 or 1%). No correlation between weight-adjusted dose and frequency of secondary symptoms was observed. Free D-BHB was a safe and well-tolerated intervention for inducing sustained exogenous ketosis. Being bioidentical, salt-free and lacking intermediate metabolites, this form of supplementation could have a larger safety spectrum than salt or alcohol-based exogenous ketones. More research is warranted to assess its clinical efficacy in those clinical scenarios in which achieving ketosis rapidly could be beneficial.

Evaluación del soporte nutricional intensivo en pacientes con neumonía grave por COVID-19

RESUMEN Introducción: En los pacientes críticos con COVID-19 ocurren una serie de alteraciones metabólicas, las cuales afectan directamente el estado nutricional del paciente. Para mejorar la sobrevida de los pacientes con COVID-19, se hace relevante el tratamiento nutricional oportuno, idealmente dentro de las primeras 24-48 horas de la admisión a la UCI. El objetivo de este estudio fue reportar la evolución, desde el ingreso hasta el egreso, del balance nitrogenado, diversos parámetros bioquímicos y el estado nutricional de los pacientes con neumonía por COVID-19. Método: Estudio observacional retrospectivo de temporalidad longitudinal, se realizó en la UCI del Hospital Las Higueras de Talcahuano, Chile. Se incluyeron a 33 pacientes al ingreso y al egreso de la UCI. Resultados: Se reportó un incremento significativo del balance nitrogenado al egreso de los pacientes de UCI, sin embargo, no se registraron cambios en la media de talla, peso, IMC, prevalencia de desnutrición durante la estancia en la UCI. La prevalencia de desnutrición moderada y severa fue de un 14,0%, valor inferior al 45,0% informado en pacientes con COVID-19. Conclusión: En este estudio se reportó que la implementación del protocolo y la terapia nutricionales durante la pandemia de COVID-19 se asoció a un aumento del balance nitrogenado y un mejor control glicémico en los pacientes que egresan de la UCI por neumonía de COVID-19.

ABSTRACT Introduction: In critically ill patients with COVID-19, a series of metabolic alterations occur, which directly affect the patient's nutritional status. To improve the survival of patients with COVID-19, timely nutritional treatment is relevant, ideally within the first 24-48 hours of admission to the ICU. The objective of this study was to report the evolution, from admission to discharge, of the nitrogen balance, various biochemical parameters and the nutritional status of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Method: We conducted a retrospective observational study in the ICU of Las Higueras Hospital in Talcahuano, Chile. Thirty-three patients were included at admission and discharge from the ICU. Results: A significant increase in nitrogen balance was reported at ICU patient discharge, however, no changes were recorded in mean height, weight, BMI, or prevalence of malnutrition during ICU stay. The prevalence of moderate and severe malnutrition was 14.0%, a value lower than the 45.0% reported in patients with COVID-19. Discussion: In this study we reported that the implementation of the nutritional protocol and therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an increase in nitrogen balance and better glycemic control in patients discharged from the ICU due to COVID-19 pneumonia.

Farming for life: impact of medical prescriptions for fresh vegetables on cardiometabolic health for adults with or at risk of type 2 diabetes in a predominantly Mexican-American population.

INTRODUCTION: Poor diet is the leading cause of poor health in USA, with fresh vegetable consumption below recommended levels. We aimed to assess the impact of medical prescriptions for fresh (defined as picked within 72 hours) vegetables, at no cost to participants on cardiometabolic outcomes among adults (predominantly Mexican-American women) with or at risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS: Between February 2019 and March 2020, 159 participants (122 female, 75% of Mexican heritage, 31% with non-insulin treated T2D, age 52.5 (13.2) years) were recruited using community outreach materials in English and Spanish, and received prescriptions for 21 servings/week of fresh vegetable for 10 weeks. Pre-post comparisons were made of weight; waist circumference; blood pressure; Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c, a measure of long-term blood glucose control); self-reported sleep, mood and pain; vegetable, tortilla and soda consumption. After obtaining devices for this study, 66 of 72 participants asked, agreed to wear blinded continuous glucose monitors (CGM). RESULTS: Paired data were available for 131 participants. Over 3 months, waist circumference fell (-0.77 (95% CI -1.42 to 0.12) cm, p=0.022), as did systolic blood pressure (SBP) (-2.42 (95% CI -4.56 to 0.28) mm Hg, p=0.037), which was greater among individuals with baseline SBP >130 mm Hg (-7.5 (95% CI -12.4 to 2.6) mm Hg, p=0.005). Weight reduced by -0.4 (-0.7 to -0.04) kg, p=0.029 among women. For participants with baseline HbA1c >7.0%, HbA1c fell by -0.35 (-0.8 to -0.1), p=0.009. For participants with paired CGM data (n=40), time in range 70-180 mg/dL improved (from 97.4% to 98.9%, p<0.01). Food insecurity (p<0.001), tortilla (p<0.0001) and soda (p=0.013) consumption significantly decreased. Self-reported sleep, mood and pain level scores also improved (all p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Medical prescriptions for fresh vegetables were associated with clinically relevant improvements in cardiovascular risk factors and quality of life variables (sleep, mood and pain level) in adults (predominantly Mexican-American and female) with or at risk of T2D. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03940300.

Evaluation of meal replacements and a home food environment intervention for long-term weight loss: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Lifestyle change treatments for weight loss produce medically meaningful weight reductions, but lost weight is usually regained. Meal replacements (MRs) represent one avenue for improving long-term weight loss. Another, nutrition-focused approach involves having participants make specific changes in the energy density, composition, and structure of the foods in their personal food environments. Objective: Three conditions were compared: behavior therapy (BT), BT plus MRs (BT+MR), and a nutrition-focused treatment aimed at modifying the home food environment (HFE). Design: Overweight and obese individuals (n = 262) were randomly assigned to 1 of the 3 conditions. Treatment occurred in weekly groups for 6 mo and in biweekly groups for 6 mo. Assessments were conducted at baseline and at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 mo. Multilevel models were used to estimate weight-change trajectories for each participant and to examine the treatment group effect on long-term weight loss. Results: A multilevel analysis indicated that all 3 groups showed significant weight loss over 12 mo that was gradually regained to the 36-mo follow-up. Mean ± SD percentages of baseline weight loss at 12 mo for BT, BT+MR, and HFE were 9.41% ± 7.92%, 10.37% ± 7.77%, and 10.97% ± 7.79%, respectively. Comparable percentages at 36 mo were 4.21% ± 8.64%, 3.06% ± 6.93%, and 4.49% ± 7.83%. Those in the HFE condition lost more weight than those receiving BT through the 36-mo assessment (P < 0.01), as reflected in 2 treatment × time interactions. Further analyses showed that HFE produced the largest increases in cognitive restraint and that this increase largely mediated the HFE group's improved weight loss. Conclusion: The nutrition-focused intervention studied here produced modestly greater long-term weight loss than BT, an effect that was largely explainable by an unexpected boost in cognitive restraint in this condition. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01065974.

Conventional Phenylketonuria Treatment

Abstract Phenylketonuria (PKU) is caused by a deficient activity of enzyme phenylalanine (Phe) hydroxylase, which results in high Phe blood concentration, which is toxic to the central nervous system. The fundamental purpose of nutritional treatment is to reduce and maintain blood Phe between 2 mg/dL (120 µmol/L) and 6 mg/dL (360 µmol/L) in order to prevent neuropathogenic complications. At the same time, nutrition support must provide enough energy and nutrients to promote normal growth and development and also to avoid vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Phenylketonuria treatment must be maintained long-life and its adherence must be frequently assessed. The amount of Phe required by patients with PKU varies throughout life and must be adjusted according to individual tolerance, residual phenylalanine hydroxylase enzymatic activity, age, sex, growth rate, protein intake, and nutritional and biochemical status among others. Treatment must be done by trained personnel. It is necessary to unify treatment criteria and further research must be done.

Determinantes de sucesso após a cirurgia bariátrica:fatores pré-operatórios que influenciam nos resultados pós-operatórios / Determinants of success after bariatric surgery: preoperative factorsinfluencing the postoperative results

Introdução: A obesidade, incluída no grupo de doenças crônicasnão-transmissíveis (DCNT), é definida pelo acúmulo excessivo degordura corporal no organismo. A intervenção cirúrgica é colocadacomo o único método de tratamento mais eficaz dessa patologiae leva em consideração os seguintes critérios para sua indicação:IMC, idade e tempo da doença.As práticas nutricionais no períodopré-operatório têm como foco promover modificações no hábito epadrão alimentar, potencializando as chances de obter resultadospositivos e satisfatórios após a cirurgia. Mais pesquisas ainda sãonecessárias para melhor definir os fatores que devem ser priorizadosno pré-operatório a fim de alcançar os resultados desejados.Objetivo: Determinar os fatores sugeridos na literatura como preditoresno pré-operatório que influenciam o resultado após a cirurgiabariátrica.Métodos: Foi realizada busca de artigos publicados no período de2003 a 2014, utilizando-se palavras-chaves em conformidade aosDescritores em Ciências da Saúde, nos idiomas inglês, português eespanhol. A seleção foi baseada nos títulos, resumos e descritores.Resultados: Foram incluídos 66 estudos sendo 12,1% (n=8) dos artigosforam de revisão, 21,2% (n=14) diretrizes e outros 66,6% (n=44)de artigos originais. Os principais fatores encontrados que podeminfluenciar na obtenção de resultados positivos no pós-operatórioforam a prática de atividades físicas, o comparecimento às consultasnutricionais, o Índice de Massa Corporal pré-operatório, a perdade peso pré-operatória e técnica cirúrgica utilizada e a presença decomorbidades.Considerações finais: apesar de identificados os principais fatorespreditores de sucesso pós-operatório, ainda há muita controvérsianos resultados dos estudos relacionados ao tema. Novos estudosdevem ser conduzidos para que os fatores sejam definitivamenteidentificados a fim de que sejam controlados antes da cirurgia contribuindo

Introduction: Obesity, included in the group of chronic non-communicablediseases (NCDs), is defined by excessive accumulation ofbody fat in the body. Surgical intervention is placed as the only methodto more effectively treat this condition and takes into accountthe following criteria for his nomination: BMI, age and disease duration.Nutritional practices in the preoperative period are focusedon promoting changes in habit and dietary patterns, increasing thechances of obtaining positive and satisfactory results after surgery.More research is needed to better define the factors that should beprioritized preoperatively in order to achieve the desired results.Objective: To determine the factors suggested in the literature aspredictors preoperative influencing the outcome after bariatricsurgery.Methods: A search was conducted for articles published in the period2003-2014, using keywords in accordance to Health SciencesDescriptors in English, Portuguese and Spanish languages . The selectionwas based on the titles, abstracts and keywords.Results: 66 studies were included and 12.1% (n = 8) of the articleswere reviews, 21.2% (n = 14) guidelines and other 66.6% (n = 44)were original articles. The main factors that can influence positivelythe postoperatively outcomes were preoperative physical activity,attendance at nutritional consultations, preoperative bodymass index, weight loss, surgical technique and the presence of comorbidities.Conclusion: Although we identified the main predictors for postoperativesuccess, there is still much controversy on the results ofstudies related to the topic. Further studies should be conductedto definitely identify these factores in order to control then beforesurgery and contribute to postoperative success in the short andlong term

Evaluación nutricional en diabéticos tipo 2 obesos mórbidos para la realización de la cirugía bariátrica / Nutritional assessment in type 2 diabetes patients with morbid obesity for carrying out of bariatics surgery

La diabetes mellitus representa un importante problema de salud en el mundo y en Cuba. El tratamiento de los diabéticos tipo 2 obesos mórbidos puede ser con cirugía bariátrica para lograr su control metabólico. Con el tratamiento convencional de la obesidad generalmente no mantienen la pérdida de peso a largo plazo. En el Hospital Universitario "General Calixto García" existe un grupo multidisciplinario con la atención nutricional de estos pacientes. En esta revisión se enfatizan la evaluación y el tratamiento nutricional antes y después de la intervención. Para muchos pacientes diabéticos tipo 2, los beneficios de la cirugía bariátrica, además de la pérdida de peso, son la disminución de la glucemia, de los lípidos, la presión sanguínea y puede ocurrir la remisión total de la enfermedad. En la atención primaria de salud los especialistas de medicina general integral realizarían la evaluación nutricional y seguimiento de los casos después de la operación para alcanzar y mantener un estado nutricional adecuado con menos complicaciones de la diabetes.

The diabetes mellitus is an important health problem at world scale and also in Cuba. Treatment of type 2 diabetes patients and morbid obesity may be using bariatics surgery to achieve its metabolic control. Using the conventional treatment of obesity generally there is not a weight loss at long term. At the "General Calixto García" University Hospital there is a multidisciplinary group in charge of the nutritional care of these patients. In present review the evaluation and nutritional treatment before and after intervention are emphasized. For many type diabetes patients the benefits of bariatics surgery as well as the weight loss there is the drop of glycemia, of lipids, blood pressure and may to occur the total remission of disease. In the primary health care the general integral medicine specialists made the nutritional evaluation and the follow-up of cases after achievement and maintenance of a suitable nutritional state with less diabetes complications.

Seguimiento nutricional de los pacientes fibroquísticos en el Hospital Universitario General Calixto García / The succession nutritional of patients with cystic fibrosis at General Calixto García University Hospital

Se realizó un estudio en los pacientes fibroquísticos del Hospital General Calixto García. Su valoración nutricional resulta indispensable. Fueron seguidos 21 pacientes durante los últimos seis meses del año 2009, para describir el estado nutricional según grupos de edades e indicadores de laboratorio, así como valorar los cambios en el peso de los pacientes en ese tiempo de tratamiento nutricional. Se realizaron evaluaciones antropométricas: peso, talla y se calculó el Índice de Masa Corporal, análisis de laboratorio y prueba cutánea de hipersensibilidad retardada. Predominó el estado nutricional normal para 71.4 por ciento, seguido de los desnutridos 19.1 por ciento. La edad media fue 30 años con un rango de 18 a 58. El grupo de edad que prevaleció fue de 21 a 30 años, principalmente los normopesos con 91.7 por ciento. Hubo mayor número de desnutridos en el grupo £ 20 años (66.7 por ciento). De los indicadores de laboratorio los más afectados: conteo total de linfocitos, colesterol y prueba cutánea de hipersensibilidad retardada (Inmunodeficiencia) en los pacientes desnutridos. La ganancia de peso fue evidente en los desnutridos y normopeso. Se realizó análisis descriptivo porcentual de los resultados y se utilizó x² con un nivel de significación de a = 0.05. Se concluye que la atención del paciente con Fibrosis Quística debe ser a través de un grupo multidisciplinario y que es muy importante realizar el seguimiento nutricional en estos pacientes para aumentar la supervivencia y mejorar la calidad de vida(AU)

In the study performed with patients with cystic fibrosis at Calixto Garcia Hospital nutritional evaluation was mandatory. During the last six months, 21 patients were observed to describe their nutritional status according to age groups and laboratory indicators so as to assess their weight changes during that observational period. Anthropometric evaluations based on weight, height, body mass index, lab tests and hypersensibility cutaneous retarded test were done. The highest figures (71.4 percent) were found on the group of patients with a normal nutritional stage, followed by the group of malnutrition status with a 19.1 percent of cases. The age mean was 30 years in a range group between 18 _ 58 years of age. The predominant age group was found between 21 and 30 years of age with a normal nutritional rank of 91.7 percent. From the laboratory indicators which were more affected were the total count of lymphocytes, cholesterol levels and the hyper sensibility cutaneous retarded test (immunodeficiency) test, and they were found in malnutrition cases. Weight gain was evident in those cases as well as and in the group of normal nutritional status. A perceptual and descriptive analysis was done with all results and the X2 with a significant level of á = 0.05 was estimated. It was concluded that attention of patients with cystic fibrosis must be done across a multidisciplinary approach of medicine professionals and that it was also important to have a follow-up nutritional status of those patients to increase the survival rate and quality of life(AU)

Cirugía bariátrica endoscópica para el tratamiento de la obesidad mórbida: presentación de 3 casos / Endoscopic bariatrics surgery for treatment of morbid obesity: presentation of three cases

La obesidad es un importante problema de salud por el riesgo aumentado de morbilidad y de mortalidad cardiovascular y global. Cuando han fracasado los tratamientos convencionales, la cirugía bariátrica es un tratamiento eficaz, pues consigue normalizar las comorbilidades en un elevado número de pacientes. Se presentan los casos de 3 pacientes con obesidad mórbida (IMC ≥ 40 kg/m2), operadas por vía endoscópica (derivación gástrica), para identificar las enfermedades asociadas antes y después del tratamiento, valorar los análisis de laboratorio antes y después de la cirugía, evaluar la pérdida de peso después de la operación e identificar las complicaciones perioperatorias(AU)

The obesity is an important health problem due to the increased risk of global and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. When conventional treatments fail, the bariatrics surgery is an effective treatment since normalizes the comorbidities in a significant number of patients. This is the presentation of three female cases presenting with morbid obesity (CMI ≥ 40 kg/m²), operated on via endoscopy (gastric bypass) to identify the associated diseases before and after treatment, to assess the laboratory analyses before and after surgery, to assess the weight loss after surgery and to identify the perioperative complications(AU)

La adherencia al tratamiento nutricional y composición corporal: un estudio transversal en pacientes con obesidad o sobrepeso / Adherence to the nutritional treatment and body composition: a crooss-sectional study in patients with obesity or overweight

To assess nutritional adherence to treatment among obese or overweight patients and to examine the relationship between anthropometrical variables, 94 subjects between 20-50 years old randomly selected were recruited at two nutritional health centers in Medellin-Colombia. Nutritional adherence to treatment was evaluated using a questionnaire, with a total score above 24 considered as adherent to the treatment. In addition, socio-demographic information was obtained and anthropometrical variables were measured. We used descriptive statistical, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Chi-square for proportions comparison, and Student T test or U Mann Whitney for means comparison. A 68% of the patients were classified as no adherent to the nutritional treatment, with significant differences found according to physical activity (p= 0,013). Mean weight (p= 0,014), BMI (p= 0,026), waist circumference (p= 0,005) and waist-hip ratio (p= 0,022) differed according to adherence, being significantly higher in non adherent patients. Percent body fat did not change by degree of adherence. However when controls were separated by gender the results were significant for both men and women. Nutritional adherence to treatment in patients on a diet for weight reduction produces significant changes in body composition.

Se determinó la adherencia al tratamiento nutricional en pacientes con obesidad o sobrepeso y se examinó la relación entre ésta y variables antropométricas, mediante un estudio transversal en 94 sujetos entre 20 y 50 años seleccionados de forma aleatoria en dos centros de atención nutricional de Medellín. La adherencia al tratamiento nutricional se evaluó aplicando un cuestionario, donde puntajes mayores o iguales a 24 se consideraron como adherentes. Además, se obtuvo información socio-demográfica y antropométrica, previa estandarización de los evaluadores. Se utilizaron medidas descriptivas, prueba de Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Chi-cuadrado para comparación de proporciones, T de Student o U Mann Whitney para comparación de promedios. El 68% de los pacientes fueron clasificados como no adherentes al tratamiento nutricional, encontrando diferencias según actividad física (p=0,013). El peso promedio (p=0,014), Indice de Masa Corporal (p=0,026), perímetro de cintura (p=0,005) y relación cintura cadera (p=0,022), difirieron de acuerdo a la clasificación de adherencia, siendo significativamente más altos en los no adherentes. No hubo diferencias en el porcentaje de masa grasa según adherencia (p=0,690), pero se hallaron al controlar por sexo, p=0,009 mujeres y p=0,026 hombres. La adherencia al tratamiento nutricional en pacientes en dieta para reducir de peso, produce cambios significativos en la composición corporal.