Evaluation of Blood Biomarkers Associated with Risk of Malnutrition in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Low calf circumference can predict nutritional risk and mortality in adults with metabolic syndrome aged over 80 years

BACKGROUND

Metabolic disorders and malnutrition are a double burden worldwide. The aim was to determine whether low calf circumference (CC) could predict nutritional risk and the cut-off values of CC for predicting nutritional risk in metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients aged over 80 years. We aimed to evaluate the risk factors for predicting mortality in MetS.

METHODS

A total of 514 patients aged over 80 years with MetS were enrolled and followed for 2.5 years. On admission, demographic data, CC, and laboratory parameters were obtained. Patients with a Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) total score ≥ 3 were considered to have nutritional risk.

RESULTS

The CC level was significantly lower in the nutritional risk group than in the non-nutritional risk with MetS group (27.1 ± 4.0 cm vs. 30.8 ± 3.9 cm). Logistic regression analysis of nutritional risk revealed that increasing CC (adjusted OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.74-0.88) was an independent protective factor against nutrition risk. The best CC cut-off value for predicting nutritional risk according to the NRS 2002 was 28.8 cm. Cox regression multivariate models showed nutritional risk (HR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.22-5.04) and decreased CC (HR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.27-5.98) remained independent risk factors for mortality.

CONCLUSION

Decreased CC could predict not only nutritional risk but also mortality in MetS patients aged over 80 years. The elderly who had MetS with nutritional risk should be discovered early, early intervention and early treatment. CC may be a valuable index to screen out this population.

Simple Clinical Screening Underestimates Malnutrition in Surgical Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease-An ACS NSQIP Analysis

The present large scale study aimed to assess the prevalence and consequences of malnutrition, based on clinical assessment (body mass index and preoperative weight loss) and severe hypoalbuminemia (<3.1 g/L), in a representative US cohort undergoing IBD surgery. The American College of Surgeons National Quality improvement program (ACS-NSQIP) Public User Files (PUF) between 2005 and 2018 were assessed. A total of 25,431 patients were identified. Of those, 6560 (25.8%) patients had severe hypoalbuminemia, 380 (1.5%) patients met ESPEN 2 criteria (≥10% weight loss over 6 months PLUS BMI < 20 kg/m2 in patients <70 years OR BMI < 22 kg/m2 in patients ≥70 years), and 671 (2.6%) patients met both criteria (severe hypoalbuminemia and ESPEN 2). Patients who presented with malnutrition according to any of the three definitions had higher rates of overall, minor, major, surgical, and medical complications, longer LOS, higher mortality and higher rates of readmission and reoperation. The simple clinical assessment of malnutrition based on BMI and weight loss only, considerably underestimates its true prevalence of up to 50% in surgical IBD patients and calls for dedicated nutritional assessment.

Field trial of antibody response to inactivated bacterial vaccine in young Holstein calves: influence of animal health status

Introduction

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is one of the primary causes of death in young calves. Vaccination against infection by the common bacteria causing BRD is possible; however, the physical condition of the young calves that enables antibody production when stimulated by early immunisation remains to be elucidated.

Material and Methods

Healthy young female Holstein calves on a commercial dairy farm were fed a colostrum replacer and administered primary and booster immunisations with an inactivated vaccine against the bacterial pneumonia agents Histophilus somni, Pasteurella multocida and Mannheimia haemolytica. At each immunisation, the body weight and height at the withers were measured and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Blood was sampled immediately before immunisation and 3 weeks following the booster. The calves were divided into positive and negative groups based on the antibody titre at the final blood sampling. Maternal antibody titres at the primary immunisation and BMI, nutritional status and oxidative stress at both immunisations were compared between the two groups.

Results

Antibody titre at the primary and BMI at both immunisations were significantly higher in the positive than in the negative group (P < 0.05). Additionally, serum gamma globulin was significantly higher in the positive group (P < 0.05), indicating a strong correlation between maternal antibody and serum gamma globulin levels.

Conclusion

Elevated maternal antibody titre and higher BMI are positive factors for successful early immunisation, for which suitable colostrum may also be fundamental in young calves administered inactivated vaccines.

Association of skeletal muscle index with postoperative acute kidney injury in living donor hepatectomy: A retrospective single-centre cohort study

BACKGROUND

Although living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is the standard treatment option for patients with end-stage liver disease, it always entails ethical concerns about the risk of living donors. Recent studies have reported a correlation between sarcopenia and surgical prognosis in recipients. However, there are few studies of donor sarcopenia and the surgical prognosis of donors. This study investigated the association between sarcopenia and postoperative acute kidney injury in liver donors.

METHODS

This retrospective study analysed 2892 donors who underwent donor hepatectomy for LDLT between January 2008 and January 2018. Sarcopenia was classified into pre-sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia, which were determined to be -1 standard deviation (SD), and -2 SD from the mean baseline of the skeletal muscle index, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between donor sarcopenia and postoperative AKI. Additionally, we assessed the association between donor sarcopenia and delayed recovery of liver function (DRHF).

RESULTS

In the multivariate analysis, donor sarcopenia was significantly associated a higher incidence of postoperative AKI (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 2.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-6.11, P = .022 in pre-sarcopenia, OR: 5.59, 95% CI: 1.11-28.15, P = .037 in severe sarcopenia, respectively). Additionally, hypertension and synthetic colloid use were significantly associated with postoperative AKI. In the multivariate analysis, risk factors of DRHF were male gender, indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes, and graft type, however, donor sarcopenia was not a risk factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Donor sarcopenia is associated with postoperative AKI following donor hepatectomy.

Safety and Efficacy of Nonoperative Treatment in Esophageal Perforation Caused by Foreign Bodies

INTRODUCTION

Esophageal foreign bodies are often treated by endoscopy, but the treatment of esophageal perforation caused by foreign bodies remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of nonoperative treatment of esophageal perforation caused by foreign bodies.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 270 patients admitted to our hospital for esophageal perforation caused by foreign bodies from January 2012 to December 2020, all of whom received nonoperative treatment.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 56 ± 17 years, and fish bones were the most common type of foreign body. A total of 61.2% of the perforations were in the cervical esophagus. All patients received nonoperative treatment initially, and the foreign body removal rate using endoscopy reached 97%. The perforation healing rate reached 94.8%, whereas 3 patients (1.1%) died during hospitalization. The median (range) duration of hospitalization was 4 days (3-6). Multivariable analysis showed age ≥ 66 years (odds ratio [OR]: 2.196; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.232-3.916; P = 0.008), men (OR: 1.934; 95% CI: 1.152-3.246; P = 0.013), and time to treatment (OR: 1.126; 95% CI: 1.027-1.233; P = 0.011) were independent risk factors for infection, whereas the risk of infection was lower when the foreign body type was fish bone (OR: 0.557; 95% CI: 0.330-0.940; P = 0.028).

DISCUSSION

Nonoperative treatment is safe and effective for esophageal perforation caused by foreign bodies. Even if perforation is combined with infection, active nonoperative treatment can still achieve a good effect. Early intervention can effectively reduce the risk of infection and improve patient outcomes.

Rehabilitation outcomes in Huntington disease patients with low body mass index

OBJECTIVES

A catabolic state and a progressive body weight loss are a well-documented hallmark of Huntington Disease (HD). No study is still available on the effectiveness of intensive in-hospital rehabilitation in HD patients with low body mass index (BMI).

METHODS

Twenty HD patients with low BMI value were enrolled in this study. Disease severity was assessed before and after rehabilitation by the Barthel Index, the Total Functional Capacity Scale, and the Physical Performance Test.

RESULTS

BMI-scores correlated with clinical measures before and after rehabilitation. All patients showed an improvement in outcome measures (p<0.001), and an increase in BMI values (p<0.001) after rehabilitation. Effectiveness of rehabilitation correlated with the values of BMI assessed before reheducational programs (p=0.024) and with BMI values observed in each patient in the three months before admission to hospital (p=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings of the current study show that the effectiveness of the rehabilitation is positively correlated with the BMI values and confirm the efficacy of in-hospital intensive rehabilitation as a valid strategy finalized to improve neuromotor performances and global functional recovery even in HD patients with low BMI and at risk of malnutrition.

[Analysis of changes in location before hospital admission, discharge destination and prognostic factors for the survival in hospitals with chronic-phase inpatients]

AIM

To clarify changes in location before hospital admission and discharge destination over the 10-year period of 2010 to 2020 and to identify prognostic factors associated with the survival in hospitals with chronic-phase inpatients.

METHODS

The subjects were patients newly admitted to 12 hospitals in 2010 and 2020. The age, sex, location before hospital admission, outcomes at 90 days after admission, discharge destination, and results of 6 biochemical tests at admission were evaluated. A survival analysis was performed for the age, sex, and biochemical tests at admission.

RESULTS

We analyzed 8007 newly hospitalized patients. Compared with 2010, there were more hospital admissions from acute-care hospitals and fewer admissions from long-term-care facilities in 2020. In addition, relative to 2010, regarding the outcomes at 90 days after admission, there were more discharges to home and residential facilities in 2020, fewer discharges to long-term-care facilities, and lower mortality rates. In the survival analysis, a multivariate analysis revealed that an elderly age, male sex, low albumin, high total cholesterol, high urea nitrogen, and low serum sodium were poor prognostic factors. These five variables were consistently poor prognostic factors in both 2010 and 2020, and Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the scores were dose-dependent prognostic factors for a poor survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The present analysis of pre-admission location and discharge destination in hospitals with chronic-phase patients revealed an elderly age, male sex, high urea nitrogen, low serum sodium, and low albumin at the time of admission to be strong predictors of poor outcomes in these patients.

Validation of a Feed Protocol in a Mouse Model That Mimics Marasmic Malnutrition

Host nutritional status directly interferes with immunity and/or susceptibility to infectious diseases. To understand the mechanisms behind this relationship, the use of animal models and feeding protocols is necessary. In the literature, studies reporting marasmic malnutrition in mice are not common. In this context, the objective of this study was to validate a feed methodology that mimics marasmic malnutrition, examining the nutritional, biochemical, and hematological status in BALB/c mice. Weaned BALB/c mice were or were not fed a Restricted diet (36.26% carbohydrate, 8.79% protein, 4.95% fat, and 7.62 kJ/100 g). Some malnourished mice underwent a refed process with a Control diet (65.93% carbohydrate, 24.18% protein, 9.89% fat, and 15.24 kJ/100 g). The nutritional status of the mice was evaluated through phenotypic markers and hematological and biochemical parameters. Our results showed that the Restricted diet was able to induce mild malnutrition in mice, resulting in mouse weight loss of 12%, which could be reversed after refeeding. Malnourished mice demonstrated slow body growth and low body mass index (BMI) values. Malnourished mice also showed physical and behavioral changes, a reduction of 47.5% in leukocyte counts and a 2-fold increase in cholesterol levels. In conclusion, our feeding protocol was able to generate mild malnutrition and cause changes in the nutritional status of mice that could be similar to those observed in marasmic malnutrition.

Low serum calcium is associated with perioperative blood loss and transfusion rate in elderly patients with hip fracture: a retrospective study

Background

To investigate whether hypocalcemia influenced total blood loss and transfusion rate in elderly patients with hip fracture.

Methods

From our hip fracture database, patients were consecutively included between January 2014 and December 2020. Serum calcium level was corrected for albumin concentration, and hypocalcaemia was defined as corrected calcium < 2.11 mmol/L. Hemoglobin and hematocrit were obtained on admission day and postoperative day, and blood transfusions were collected. According to the combination formulas of Nadler and Gross, the total blood loss of each patient was calculated. Risk factors were further analyzed by multivariate linear regression.

Results

A total of 583 consecutive elderly hip fracture patients were finally included (mean age 79.32 ± 8.18 years, 68.61% female). On admission, the mean serum corrected calcium level was 2.17 ± 0.14 mmol/L, and the prevalence of hypocalcemia was 33.11% (95% CI: 29.42–37.02). When comparing patients with normal calcium, hypocalcemia patients exhibited a higher blood transfusion rate (7.69% vs 16.06%, P < 0.05), and significantly larger total blood loss (607.86 ± 497.07 ml vs 719.18 ± 569.98 ml, P < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that male, anemia on admission, time from injury to hospital, intertrochanteric fracture, blood transfusion and hypocalcemia were independently associated with increased total blood loss (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Hypocalcemia is common in elderly patients with hip fracture, and significantly associated with more total blood loss and blood transfusion. The other risk factors for increased total blood loss are male, anemia on admission, time from injury to hospital, intertrochanteric fracture, and blood transfusion.

Level of evidence

Level III, retrospective study.

Nutritional and prognostic significance of abdominal wall thickness measured during percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in older individuals with dysphagia

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The significance of abdominal wall thickness (AWT) for nutritional assessment remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional and prognostic significance of AWT measured during percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in older patients with dysphagia.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective cohort study enrolled older adults with dysphagia who underwent PEG for enteral nutrition using the introducer technique between February 2010 and January 2019. We examined the association between AWT measured during PEG and nutritional status items, including body mass index (BMI), serum albumin (Alb), total lymphocyte count (TLC), total cholesterol (TC), hemoglobin (Hb), and C-reactive protein (CRP). The shaft length of the PEG tube inserted, which is an approximation value of the AWT, was used for statistical analysis. Patients were divided into three groups: low-AWT group (shaft length ≤2.5 cm), medium-AWT group (shaft length 3.0-3.5 cm), and high-AWT group (shaft length ≥4.0 cm). We performed the Kruskal-Wallis test and multiple linear regression analysis with multiple imputation. We performed survival analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, and Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 520 patients were identified: 115, 258, and 147 patients in the low-AWT, medium-AWT, and high-AWT groups, respectively. Higher AWT was significantly associated with higher BMI, Alb, TLC, TC, Hb, and lower CRP levels. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that BMI and TLC were significant predictors of AWT (BMI: coefficient 1.16E-01, 95% confidence interval [CI], 9.77E-02-1.33E-01, P < 0.001; TLC: coefficient 1.18E-04, 95% CI, 2.72E-05-2.09E-04, P = 0.011). The median survival time was the longest in the high-AWT group (low-AWT, 359 days; medium-AWT, 851 days; high-AWT, 1662 days; P < 0.001). The hazard ratio for the high-AWT group relative to the medium-AWT group was 0.59 (95% CI, 0.41-0.85, P = 0.004), and that relative to the low-AWT group was 0.34 (95% CI, 0.24-0.51, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher AWT was associated with better nutritional status and survival. AWT may help assess nutritional status and predict survival in older dysphagic patients with PEG.

Prevalence and associated factors of malnutrition in patients with Parkinson's disease using CONUT and GNRI

OBJECTIVE

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease, but its nutritional problems have not received enough attention. This study aims to identify the prevalence and associated factors of malnutrition in PD patients using two simple nutritional tools.

METHODS

We conducted a large-scale cross-sectional study with 1478 PD patients and equal healthy controls (HC). The controlling nutritional status score (CONUT) and geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) were used for malnutrition stratification.

RESULTS

By CONUT or GNRI, the prevalence of malnutrition in PD patients was higher than that in HC (40.7% vs. 25.3% and 11.1% vs. 2.1%, respectively). The binary logistic regression model showed that malnutrition in PD was associated with male sex (OR = 0.600, P < 0.001), older age (OR = 1.015, P = 0.003), lower body mass index (BMI) (OR = 0.942, P < 0.001), higher levodopa equivalent daily doses (LEDD) (OR = 1.001, P < 0.001), worse motor symptoms (OR = 1.012, P = 0.004), more serious perceptual problems/hallucinations (OR = 1.067, P = 0.019) by CONUT. In comparison, older age (OR = 1.045, P < 0.001), lower blood lymphocyte count (OR = 0.607, P = 0.006), lower serum total cholesterol levels (OR = 0.991, P < 0.001), dyskinesia (OR = 2.231, P = 0.002), worse motor symptoms (OR = 1.016, P = 0.015), more severe depression (OR = 1.028, P = 0.008) and perceptual problems/hallucinations (OR = 1.061, P = 0.033) were associated with malnutrition in PD by GNRI.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicated that malnutrition is more prevalent in PD patients than HC. Multidimensional risk factors for malnutrition in PD should be taken seriously.

Protein Nutritional Status and Frailty: A Mendelian Randomization Study

BACKGROUND

Observational studies have suggested that better protein nutritional status may contribute to prevention of frailty.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to examine this hypothesis using a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

METHODS

We conducted a two-sample MR study using GWAS summary statistics data of the UK Biobank. We applied genetically predicted serum albumin as a primary exposure measure and serum total protein as a secondary exposure measure. The outcome measure was the Rockwood frailty index (FI) based on 49 deficits from 356,432 individuals (53.3% of them were women, with a mean ± SD age of 56.7 ± 8.0 y. The association between serum protein measures and FI was mainly analyzed by use of the inverse variance weighted method.

RESULTS

A genetically predicted serum albumin concentration was not statistically significantly associated with FI in the full sample. However, in women, we observed a preventive association between genetically predicted serum albumin and FI (β = -0.172 per g/L; 95% CI: -0.336, -0.007; P = 0.041). In the full sample, genetically predicted serum total protein was inversely associated with FI (β: -0.153 per g/L; 95% CI: -0.251, -0.056; P = 0.002). In both women and men, higher serum total protein was significantly inversely associated with FI; regression coefficients were -0.148 per g/L (95% CI: -0.287, -0.009; P = 0.037) for women, -0.154 per g/L (95% CI: -0.290, -0.018; P = 0.027) for men.

CONCLUSIONS

The present MR study implies that better protein nutritional status modestly contributes to reducing the risk of frailty.

Decreased plasma ghrelin in male ALS patients is associated with poor prognosis

Physiological changes including altered nutritional status influence disease progression and survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Ghrelin affects the nutritional status by regulating appetite and energy expenditure, and also has neuroprotective effects. To investigate the association between ghrelin and ALS prognosis, we analyzed plasma acylated-ghrelin levels in 33 patients with ALS. Compared among ALS patients, male had lower plasma ghrelin levels than female, although disease specificity is unknown. ALS patients, especially male ALS patients, with low plasma ghrelin levels (<15 fmol/mL) had significantly shorter post-examination survival times than those with high plasma ghrelin levels (≥15 fmol/mL). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed a significant effect of ghrelin levels on post-examination survival. Immunohistochemical study of autopsied stomach samples from 8 of 33 patients revealed that the population of ghrelin-positive cells tended to be reduced in the low-plasma ghrelin group than in the high-plasma ghrelin group. Our findings suggest that ghrelin levels are an independent predictor of survival in ALS, especially male ALS patients, and the ghrelin-positive cells may decrease in ALS with low plasma ghrelin. Thus, reduced ghrelin secretion may be associated with poor prognosis among patients with ALS.

Hypoalbuminemia Predicts Adverse Events following Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty

Hypoalbuminemia is a potentially modifiable risk factor associated with adverse events following total knee arthroplasty. The present study aimed to evaluate whether hypoalbuminemia similarly predisposes to adverse events following unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Patients who underwent UKA during 2006-2018 were identified through the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Only patients with preoperative serum albumin concentration were included. Outcomes were compared between patients with and without hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin concentration < 3.5 g/dL). All associations were adjusted for demographic, comorbidity, and laboratory differences between populations. A total of 11,342 patients were identified, of whom 6,049 (53.3%) had preoperative serum albumin laboratory values available for analysis. After adjustment for potential confounders, patients with hypoalbuminemia had a greater than 2-fold increased probability for occurrence of any complication (7.02% vs. 2.23%, p = 0.009) and a 4-fold increased probability of receiving a blood transfusion (1.81% vs. 0.25%, p = 0.045). Among procedures performed as inpatients, mean postoperative length of stay (LOS) was longer in patients with hypoalbuminemia (2.2 vs. 1.8 days; p = 0.031). Hypoalbuminemia is independently associated with complications and increased LOS following UKA and a marker for patients at higher risk of postoperative complications. Patients should be screened for hypoalbuminemia and nutritional deficiencies addressed prior to UKA.

Malnutrition in elective shoulder arthroplasty: a multi-institutional retrospective study of preoperative albumin and adverse outcomes

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition is associated with poor postoperative outcomes after knee, hip, and spine surgery. However, whether albumin labs should be part of the routine preoperative workup for shoulder arthroplasty remains understudied. This study investigated the role of preoperative albumin levels in predicting common postoperative adverse outcomes in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty.

METHODS

All shoulder arthroplasty cases performed at 2 tertiary referral centers between July 2013 and May 2019 (institution 1) and between June 2007 and Feb 2020 (institution 2) were reviewed. A total of 421 primary and 71 revision elective shoulder arthroplasty cases had preoperative albumin levels recorded. Common demographic variables and relevant Elixhauser comorbidities were pulled. Outcomes gathered included extended (>3 days) postoperative inpatient length of stay (eLOS), 90-day readmission, and discharge to rehab or skilled nursing facility (SNF).

RESULTS

The prevalence of malnutrition (albumin <3.5 g/dL) was higher in the revision group compared with the primary group (36.6% vs. 19.5%, P = .001). Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (P = .013) and increasing American Society of Anesthesiologists score (P = .016) were identified as independent risk factors for malnutrition in the primary group. In the revision group, liver disease was associated with malnutrition (P = .046). Malnourished primary shoulder arthroplasty patients had an increased incidence of eLOS (26.8% vs. 13.6%, P = .003) and discharge to rehab/SNF (18.3% vs. 10.3%, P = .045). On univariable analysis, low albumin had an odds ratio (OR) of 2.34 for eLOS (P = .004), which retained significance in a multivariable model including age, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, sex, and body mass index (OR 2.11, P = .03). On univariable analysis, low albumin had an OR of 1.94 for discharge to SNF/rehab (P = .048), but this did not reach significance in the multivariable model. Among revisions, malnourished patients had an increased incidence of eLOS (30.8% vs. 6.7%, P = .014) and discharge to rehab/SNF (26.9% vs. 4.4%, P = .010). In both the primary and revision groups, there was no difference in 90-day readmission rate between patients with low or normal albumin.

CONCLUSION

Malnutrition is more prevalent among revision shoulder arthroplasty patients compared with those undergoing a primary procedure. Primary shoulder arthroplasty patients with low preoperative albumin levels have an increased risk of eLOS and may have an increased need for postacute care. Low albumin was not associated with a risk of 90-day readmissions. Albumin level merits further investigation in large, prospective cohorts to clearly define its role in preoperative risk stratification.

Association Between Serum Creatinine Concentrations and Overall Survival in Patients With Colorectal Cancer: A Multi-Center Cohort Study

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies throughout the world, with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Previous studies reported that serum creatinine (Scr) concentrations were associated with overall survival (OS) in cancer patients, but little is known about the association between Scr and OS in patients with CRC. This study investigated the relationship between Scr concentrations and OS in patients with CRC and examined possible effect modifiers.

Methods

A retrospective cohort, including 1,733 patients with CRC, was established from a multi-center clinical study. Patients were divided into low (<71 μmol/L in men or <59 μmol/L in women), normal (71-104 μmol/L in men or 59-85 μmol/L in women) and high (>104 μmol/L in men or >85 μmol/L in women) Scr groups. Cox regression analysis was used to examine association between Scr concentrations and OS. Stratified (subgroup) analyses were used to examine men and women separately. Interaction tests were used to evaluate associations between each variable and OS, as well as possible interactions of these variables with Scr levels. Cross-classified analyses were used only in men.

Results

Patients with low [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.19-1.72; P < 0.001] or high (HR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.36-2.63; P < 0.001) Scr level had a significantly lower OS than patients with normal Scr levels. Significant interactions with Scr concentrations were observed for body mass index (P for interaction = 0.019) in men.

Conclusion

Low or high Scr concentration is associated with significantly lower OS in patients with CRC. Future study is warranted to investigate the underlying mechanism.

Machine Learning Prediction Model for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Based on Laboratory Markers. Working Model in a Discovery Cohort Study

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, incurable disease involving the gastrointestinal tract. It is characterized by complex, unclear pathogenesis, increased prevalence worldwide, and a wide spectrum of extraintestinal manifestations and comorbidities. Recognition of IBD remains challenging and delays in disease diagnosis still poses a significant clinical problem as it negatively impacts disease outcome. The main diagnostic tool in IBD continues to be invasive endoscopy. We aimed to create an IBD machine learning prediction model based on routinely performed blood, urine, and fecal tests. Based on historical patients’ data (702 medical records: 319 records from 180 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 383 records from 192 patients with Crohn’s disease (CD)), and using a few simple machine learning classificators, we optimized necessary hyperparameters in order to get reliable few-features prediction models separately for CD and UC. Most robust classificators belonging to the random forest family obtained 97% and 91% mean average precision for CD and UC, respectively. For comparison, the commonly used one-parameter approach based on the C-reactive protein (CRP) level demonstrated only 81% and 61% average precision for CD and UC, respectively. Results of our study suggest that machine learning prediction models based on basic blood, urine, and fecal markers may with high accuracy support the diagnosis of IBD. However, the test requires validation in a prospective cohort.

The potential of salivary biomarkers of nutritional status and dietary intake: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

To explore whether nutritional salivary biomarkers could be used to aid nutritional status assessment and/or support traditional dietary assessment methods for patients.

DATA AND SOURCES

Searches were performed using four electronic databases; MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science. Trial registers (i.e. Cochrane), grey literature and reference lists were searched.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies which measured nutritional salivary biomarkers related to nutritional status and/or dietary intake outcome were included. No restrictions on participants' age, study design, publication date, setting or health status. Animal studies, non-English language studies, commentaries, and conference abstracts were excluded.

RESULTS

Study titles and abstracts were screened (n = 7982), full-texts assessed (n = 176) and 85 studies were included in a narrative synthesis. The most promising salivary biomarkers for nutritional status included: glucose, where saliva and serum levels were positively correlated in those with type 2 diabetes (T2D), higher salivary calcium levels in post-menopausal women in general and specifically those with lower bone mineral density (BMD), and salivary vitamin D to assess vitamin D status in healthy volunteers. Higher salivary total antioxidant capacity (TAC), nitrate/nitrite and fluoride were observed with increased antioxidant, nitrate/nitrite and fluoride dietary intake, respectively. A meta-analysis found significantly higher mean salivary glucose (n = 12) in T2D compared with healthy controls, but there was substantial heterogeneity (I²=94%) and evidence of publication bias.

CONCLUSIONS

The most promising salivary biomarkers identified in this systematic review were, glucose, vitamin D, calcium, TAC, nitrate/nitrite and fluoride. However, this was based on a small number of studies of varying quality, with many lacking a salivary assay performance assessment.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

At present, nutritional salivary biomarkers cannot be used alone to assess nutritional status or dietary intake. Further research into the most promising nutritional salivary biomarkers is required.

Controlling Nutritional Status Score as a Predictive Marker of In-hospital Mortality in Older Adult Patients

The controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score assesses nutritional status and is associated with short- and long-term prognoses in some diseases, but the significance of the CONUT score for the prediction of in-hospital mortality in older adults is unknown. The purpose was to determine the importance of the CONUT score for the prediction of in-hospital mortality, short-term complications, length of hospital stay, and hospital costs in older adults. Our retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 11,795 older adult patients from two multicenter cohort studies. We performed receiver operating characteristic curve analysis using in-hospital mortality as the endpoint and determined the appropriate CONUT score cut-off by the Youden index. The patients were divided into two high and low groups according to the CONUT cut-off value, and the differences in clinical characteristics and in-hospital clinical outcomes between the two groups were compared. We compared the accuracy of the CONUT score and other nutrition-related tools in predicting in-hospital mortality by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and performed univariate and multivariate analyses of predictors of in-hospital mortality. Among all the patients, 178 (1.5%) patients experienced in-hospital death. The optimal cut-off values was 5.5 for the CONUT score. The high CONUT group had a higher incidence of short-term complications and prolonged hospital stay than the low CONUT group (CONUT score <6), but hospital costs were not significantly higher. The CONUT score had the highest predictive ability for in-hospital mortality among the five nutrition-related parameters compared. Multivariate analysis showed that a high CONUT score (CONUT score ≥ 6) was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that the CONUT score could be used to predict in-hospital mortality in older adults.

Malnutrition risk and its association with adverse outcomes in a Belgian cohort of community-dwelling adults aged 80 years and over

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of malnutrition risk and its association with adverse outcomes in a Belgian cohort of community-dwelling adults aged ≥80 years, a worldwide growing age-group.Methods: In the BELFRAIL cohort, malnutrition risk was evaluated with the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA total score <24) and prealbumin levels (<20 mg/dl). Agreement between them was assessed with Kohen's kappa coefficient. Association with first unplanned hospitalization (3.0 ± 0.25 years follow-up) and mortality (5.1 ± 0.25 years follow-up) was investigated with survival analysis and Cox multivariate regression.Results: Out of 567 BELFRAIL participants, 556 (98.1%) had MNA and 545 (96.1%) prealbumin levels. Sixty-eight (12.2%) were at risk of malnutrition based on MNA and 69 (12.7%) based on prealbumin, with very poor agreement between them (Kappa = 0.024, 95% CI -0.064, 0.112). For both MNA and prealbumin, participants with malnutrition risk had lower physical and cognitive performance tests' scores. They had no higher risk for first hospitalization compared to those without malnutrition risk, but higher risk for all-cause mortality even after adjustment for multimorbidity, inflammation, physical and mental functioning (HR 1.35 95%CI 0.92-1.97 for MNA; HR 1.46; 95%CI 1.01-2.12 for prealbumin).Conclusion: Malnutrition risk based on MNA or prealbumin was low in a Belgian cohort of community-dwelling adults aged ≥80 years. Physical and cognitive performance was lower in those with malnutrition risk, but malnutrition risk was not independently associated with hospitalization and mortality (except for malnutrition risk by prealbumin). Further research needs to investigate the best tool to assess malnutrition risk in this age group.

Association Between Nutritional Risk Screening Score and Prognosis of Patients with Sepsis

Background

Malnutrition is one of the most critical factors affecting patients’ risk of infection and length of stay, and it may affect the prognosis of patients with sepsis. There have been no studies that have applied nutritional risk screening tools to stratify patients with sepsis according to prognosis.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 425 adult sepsis inpatients who were grouped based on nutritional risk screening (NRS) score, including a nutrition score, disease severity score, and age score. Prognostic factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate regression analyses.

Results

Of the enrolled patients, 174 had an NRS score of ≥3; these patients were older and had a longer hospitalization time but lower body mass index (BMI), albumin (ALB) than others. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that age, ALB, C-reactive protein (CRP), and NRS score were significantly (P<0.05) associated with in-hospital mortality. Multivariate analysis showed that age (hazard ratio [HR]=1.020, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.005–1.036; P=0.008) and ALB (HR=0.924, 95% CI: 0.885–0.966; P<0.001) were independent risk factors for sepsis-related mortality. The Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that the cumulative in-hospital mortality of sepsis patients with an NRS score of ≥3 was significantly higher than that of patients with an NRS score of <3 (P=0.022).

Conclusion

NRS scores can effectively risk stratify sepsis patients. Patients with high NRS scores should be monitored more closely to halt further disease progression.

Sarcopenia and blood albumin: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Sarcopenia is characterized by loss of muscle mass during aging, which can have consequences for the individuals’ health. There are many ways to detect it, among them, with the use of blood biomarkers such as albumin, although the association between the two has not been confirmed yet. This review synthesizes the knowledge on the association between sarcopenia and serum albumin among elderly individuals through a systematic review and meta-analysis focused on the etiology and risk factors. We used the Joanna Briggs Institute software for the review and conducted a search in MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and LILACS databases while two reviewers conducted an independent manual search. EpiDat, version 3.1 was used for the meta-analysis; mean differences with the albumin scores disaggregated by sarcopenia were analyzed by the random-effects model. The degree of heterogeneity was assessed with the DerSimonian and Laird Q test. We analyzed 630 articles and finally included 14 in the review. Higher blood albumin levels were found in the meta-analysis, which was statistically significant among the elderly adults who did not present sarcopenia compared to those who did. Although there are studies exploring the association between albumin and sarcopenia, there is a need to continue evaluating its association with biological markers and comparing them to verify which can be used to detect sarcopenia among the elderly.

The Association between Peripheral Blood Cells and the Frailty Syndrome in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases

Background

Frailty syndrome is characterized by multisystem dysregulation frequently found in older individuals or even in younger patients with chronic disabling diseases such as cardiovascular diseases.

Objective

To determine whether peripheral blood cell count, and its subpopulations, red blood cell and platelets, morphology and different ratios (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and red blood distribution width-to-platelet ratio) are associated with cardiac frail patients, and through this to improve the prediction of frailty status in patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Methods

An observational, retrospective, cohort study enrolling 179 patients with cardiovascular disease divided into two groups: non-frail group (100 pts) and frail group (79 pts), a cohort detached from the Frail.RO study. The frailty was evaluated based on the Fried criteria; haematological markers, sociodemographic data, and variables related to cardiovascular diseases and comorbidities were also recorded.

Results

Lower lymphocytes, platelet count, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were significantly associated with a more severe frailty syndrome. Regarding red blood cells, haemoglobin concentration and red cell distribution width significantly correlated with the severity of the frailty syndrome. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for these markers associated with the frailty syndrome revealed an acceptable sensitivity of 66% and specificity of 65% to identify frail individuals. Malnutrition and hypercholesterolemia are relevant predictors for identifying frailty in hospitalized cardiovascular patients.

Conclusion

The evaluation of peripheral blood cell composition routinely measured in clinical practice can represent a valuable, but limited indicator, to diagnose frailty syndrome and eventually, the effects of interventions in frail patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Inadequate Intake of Energy and Nutrients Is Common in Older Family Caregivers

The aim of this study was to investigate the nutritional status, determinants of nutritional status, and adequacy of energy and nutrient intake of older family caregivers (FC). Nutritional status was measured using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), plasma albumin, plasma pre-albumin, and blood hemoglobin concentrations. Dietary intake was assessed with a three-day food record. Comorbidity (B −0.283, 95% CI: −0.492, −0.073), quality of life (B 0.045, 95% CI: 0.018, 0.072) and energy intake (B 0.001, 95% CI: 0.000, 0.002) were significantly associated with the MNA scores of the older FCs (n = 125). It was common for FCs to have lower than recommended intakes of energy and several nutrients, independent of the risk of malnutrition assessed by the MNA. Over half of the FCs had inadequate intake of protein, vitamin A, folate, and fiber, and 25–40% of the FCs had a low intake of vitamin D, vitamin E, thiamine, magnesium, iron, and selenium. It is important to follow both the nutritional status and dietary intake of older FCs regularly to find those with lower than recommended nutrient intake and to avoid poor nutritional status and its adverse effects hampering their ability to serve as FCs.

Influence of pancreatic status on circulating plasma sterols in patients with cystic fibrosis

Background Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have a reduced intestinal absorption of cholesterol and in a preliminary study we observed differences in plasma sterol profile between patients with pancreatic sufficiency (PS) and those with pancreatic insufficiency (PI). Therefore, we hypothesized that the sterol analysis may contribute to study the digestion and absorption state of lipids in patients with CF. To this aim we evaluated plasma sterols in a significant number of adult patients with CF in relation to the pancreatic status. Methods Beside cholesterol, we measured phytosterols and lathosterol as markers of intestinal absorption and hepatic biosynthesis, respectively, by gas-chromatography in plasma of adult CF patients with pancreatic sufficiency (PS-CF, n = 57), insufficiency (PI-CF, n = 97) and healthy subjects (control group, CT, n = 71). Results PI-CF patients had cholesterol and phytosterols levels significantly lower than PS-CF and CT (p < 5 × 10-10) suggesting a reduced intestinal absorption of sterols related to PI. Instead, lathosterol was significantly higher in PI-CF patients than PS-CF and CT (p < 0.0003) indicating an enhanced cholesterol biosynthesis. In PI-CF patients, phytosterols positively correlate with vitamin E (p = 0.004). Both the classes of molecules need cholesterol esterase for the intestinal digestion, thus the reduced levels of such lipids in serum from PI-CF patients may depend on a reduced enzyme activity, despite the pancreatic enzyme supplementation in all PI-CF patients. Conclusions A plasma sterols profile may be useful to evaluate the metabolic status of lipids in adult patients with CF and could help to manage the pancreatic enzyme supplementation therapy.

Assessment of appropriate body mass index cut-off points for long-term mortality among ST-elevation myocardial infarction survivors in Asian population using machine learning algorithm

Low body mass index (BMI) is a predictor of adverse events in patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) in Western countries. Because the average BMI of Asians is significantly lower than that of the Western population, the appropriate cut-off BMI value and its role in long-term mortality are unclear in Asian patients. Between January 2006 and December 2017, 1215 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute STEMI and were alive at discharge (mean age, 67.7 years; male, 75.4%) were evaluated. The cut-off BMI value, which could predict all-cause mortality within 10 years, was detected using a survival classification and regression tree (CART) model. The causes of death according to the BMI value were evaluated in each group. Based on the CART model, the patients were divided into three groups (BMI < 18 kg/m²: 54 patients, 18 kg/m² ≤ BMI ≤ 20 kg/m²: 109 patients, and BMI > 20 kg/m²: 1052 patients). The BMI decreased with age; with an increased BMI, patients with dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and smoking habit increased. During the study period (median, 4.9 years), 194 patients (26.8%) died (cardiac death, 59 patients; non-cardiac death, 135 patients). All-cause mortality was more frequent as the BMI decreased (BMI < 18 kg/m²; 72.8%, 18 kg/m² ≤ BMI ≤ 20 kg/m²; 40.5%, and BMI > 20 kg/m²; 22.8%; log-rank p < 0.001). Non-cardiac deaths were more frequent than cardiac deaths in all groups, and the dominance of non-cardiac death was highest in the lowest BMI group. Cut-off BMI values of 18 kg/m² and 20 kg/m² can predict long-term mortality after PCI in Asian STEMI survivors, whose cut-off value is lower than that in the Western populations. The main causes of death in this cohort differed according to the BMI values.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in long-term follow-up after curative gastric resection with D2 lymphadenectomy: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) can be a problem following gastrectomies. This study aimed to reveal the EPI prevalence and its possible causes in gastric cancer patients that underwent subtotal or total gastrectomy, with completed oncological treatments, and with long-term disease-free survival success. Additionally, we also sought to determine whether there were any relations between EPI and blood biomarkers, weight change, malnutrition parameters, and quality of life after gastrectomy.

METHODS

A total of 69 gastric cancer patients whose oncological treatments had already been completed, with a minimum follow-up period of 16 months, were included in the study. Fecal samples were taken from all patients for the Fecal Elastase-1 Test, and patients were stratified into three groups based on the results: low (<100 μg/g), moderate (100-200 μg/g), and normal (>200 μg/g). These results were compared with patients' clinical characteristics, blood nutrition biomarkers, Maastricht indexes (MI), Bristol stool scale, and Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) scores.

RESULTS

FE-1 levels were low in 33 (47.8%) of the patients, moderate in 11 (15.9%), and normal in 25 (36.2%). The rate of patients receiving chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in the low FE-1 group was higher than the normal FE-1 and moderate FE-1 groups (P < 0.001 and P = 0.012, respectively). The serum total protein and lipase levels were lower in the low FE-1 group than in the normal FE-1 group (P = 0.023 and P < 0.001, respectively). When compared to the normal FE-1 group, the MI score of the low FE-1 group was higher (P = 0.018). The low FE-1 group had lower GIQLI gastrointestinal symptom scores than the normal FE-1 group (P = 0.046).

CONCLUSIONS

During long-term follow-up, EPI can be seen in more than half of patients with gastric cancer after curative gastrectomy. Radiotherapy as an adjunct to adjuvant treatment in the postoperative period is considered a serious risk factor for EPI development. EPI contributes to malnutrition development after gastrectomy and negatively affects the patients' quality of life, especially in terms of gastrointestinal symptoms.

Preoperative Nutritional Status in Elderly Inpatients with Gastrointestinal Cancer and Its Linear Association with Frailty

The identification and management of malnutrition is increasingly considered as an important issue in cancer treatment. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of malnutrition among elderly inpatients with gastrointestinal cancer. Meanwhile, the exact relationship between nutrition and frailty was explored. The presence of malnutrition was determined using Mini-Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF), Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002), and a batch of laboratory parameters. A cross-sectional study of 265 eligible elderly inpatients with gastrointestinal cancer was conducted. The results showed that the prevalence of malnutrition classified by MNA-SF, NRS2002, albumin, prealbumin, total protein, hemoglobin, and total lymphocyte count were 66.8%, 68.7%, 41.5%, 27.9%, 39.2%, 40.8%, and 15.5%, respectively. There was a fair agreement between MNA-SF and NRS2002 (Kappa = 0.335, P < 0.001) in screening malnutrition. According to the albumin criterion, both MNA-SF and NRS2002 exhibited better sensitivity (72.7% and 76.4%, respectively) but poor specificity (37.4% and 36.8%, respectively) in screening malnutrition. A significant linear correlation between MNA-SF (NRS2002) and frailty was discovered (β=-0.259 and β = 0.412, respectively, P < 0.001). By identifying malnutrition in this elderly population, targeted plans can be developed as a part of cancer treatment and care. A better nutritional screening tool with both high sensitivity and specificity should be selected or developed.

Preoperative Prognostic Nutrition Index as a Prognostic Indicator of Survival in Elderly Patients Undergoing Gastric Cancer Surgery

Purpose

Gastric cancer is a common tumor type associated with nutritional and immune status. The aim of the current study was to investigate the prognostic value of a preoperative prognostic nutritional index (PNI), composed of nutritional factors and immune factors in elderly patients undergoing gastric cancer surgery.

Patients and Methods

A total of 454 patients undergoing gastric cancer surgery were divided into two groups based on preoperative PNI scores: ≤45.1 (n = 307) and >45.1 (n = 147). Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Log rank tests. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify independent prognostic factors using a Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

According to the X-tile program, the optimal cutoff value for predicting overall survival (OS) with the PNI was 45.1. The receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that PNI exhibited 70.6% sensitivity and 56.5% specificity for predicting death during long-term follow-up. The cumulative incidence of postoperative 4-year mortality indicated that the risk of death increased significantly for PNI ≤45.1. In multivariate analysis, preoperative PNI was a significant independent predictor of mortality. In the age-stratified subgroup analysis, preoperative PNI was more sensitive for the old elderly subgroup than for the young elderly subgroup.

Conclusion

Preoperative PNI is a sensitive and specific prognostic predictor among elderly patients undergoing gastric cancer surgery.

Impact of malnutrition and vitamin deficiency in geriatric patients undergoing orthopedic surgery

Background and purpose - There is growing evidence that hypoproteinemia is an important risk factor for adverse events after surgery. Less is known about the impact of vitamin deficiency on postoperative outcome. Therefore we evaluated the prevalence and impact of malnutrition and vitamin deficiency in geriatric patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery.Patients and methods - In a retrospective analysis of 599 geriatric patients who had undergone elective orthopedic surgery in 2018 and 2019, hypoproteinemia, and deficiency of vitamin D, vitamin B12, and folate were assessed. Reoperation rates, readmission rates, complication rates, and transfusion rates were compared between malnourished patients and patients with normal parameters. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between malnutrition and postoperative adverse events, controlling for confounding factors such as age, sex, diabetes mellitus, and frailty.Results - Patients with malnutrition showed a higher rate of reoperation (13% vs. 5.5%; p = 0.01) and exhibited more wound-healing disorders (7.4% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.001) as well as Clavien-Dindo IV° complications (7.4% vs. 2.4%; p = 0.03). Deficiency of vitamin D led to a higher rate of falls (8.4% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.006). Deficiency of vitamin B12 and folate did not affect postoperative adverse events. Although correlated to frailty (p = 0.004), multivariable regression analysis identified malnutrition as independent risk factor for reoperation (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1-6.2) and wound healing disorders (OR 7.1, CI 1.9-26).Interpretation - Malnutrition is common among geriatric patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery and represents an independent risk factor for postoperative adverse events.

The Mid-term Mortality and Mode of Death in Survivors with ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction

Objective The popularity of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has increased over the past decades. Despite improvements in in-hospital mortality rates, it is clinically important to investigate the prognoses after discharge. However, data on the mode of death and prognostic factors are limited. We analyzed these factors in a Japanese cohort in the modern p-PCI era. Methods Between January 2004 and December 2017, a total of 1,222 patients who underwent p-PCI within 24 hours from the onset of STEMI and were alive at discharge (mean age, 67.7 years old; men, 75.5%), were evaluated. The two-year mortality was analyzed using a Cox regression model, and the mode of death was evaluated. Results The rate of mortality at 2 years was 5.7%. Non-cardiac death was more frequent than cardiac death (62.6% vs. 37.4%). A Cox multivariate analysis identified the following as independent predictors of the 2-year mortality: hemoglobin (log-transformed) [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 0.048; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.008-0.29; p<0.001], age above 80 years old (adjusted HR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.30-3.91; p=0.004), Killip class ≥II (adjusted HR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.17-3.39; p=0.011), brain natriuretic peptide level (log-transformed) (adjusted HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.09-2.01; p=0.013), and body mass index (log-transformed) (adjusted HR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.030-0.84; p=0.030). Conclusion This study demonstrated that the 2-year mortality was 5.7% in STEMI survivors after p-PCI. Non-cardiac death was more frequent than cardiac death. Compared to well-known clinical variables, angiographic findings did not have a significant influence on the mid-term mortality.

Predicting Malnutrition Risk with Data from Routinely Measured Clinical Biochemical Diagnostic Tests in Free-Living Older Populations

Malnutrition (undernutrition) in older adults is often not diagnosed before its adverse consequences have occurred, despite the existence of established screening tools. As a potential method of early detection, we examined whether readily available and routinely measured clinical biochemical diagnostic test data could predict poor nutritional status. We combined 2008-2017 data of 1518 free-living individuals ≥50 years from the United Kingdom National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) and used logistic regression to determine associations between routine biochemical diagnostic test data, micronutrient deficiency biomarkers, and established malnutrition indicators (components of screening tools) in a three-step validation process. A prediction model was created to determine how effectively routine biochemical diagnostic tests and established malnutrition indicators predicted poor nutritional status (defined by ≥1 micronutrient deficiency in blood of vitamins B6, B12 and C; selenium; or zinc). Significant predictors of poor nutritional status were low concentrations of total cholesterol, haemoglobin, HbA1c, ferritin and vitamin D status, and high concentrations of C-reactive protein; except for HbA1c, these were also associated with established malnutrition indicators. Additional validation was provided by the significant association of established malnutrition indicators (low protein, fruit/vegetable and fluid intake) with biochemically defined poor nutritional status. The prediction model (including biochemical tests, established malnutrition indicators and covariates) showed an AUC of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.76-0.81), sensitivity of 66.0% and specificity of 78.1%. Clinical routine biochemical diagnostic test data have the potential to facilitate early detection of malnutrition risk in free-living older populations. However, further validation in different settings and against established malnutrition screening tools is warranted.

Nutritional screening based on objective indices at admission predicts in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19

BACKGROUND

Could nutritional status serve as prognostic factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)? The present study evaluated the clinical and nutritional characteristics of COVID-19 patients and explored the relationship between risk for malnutrition at admission and in-hospital mortality.

METHODS

A retrospective, observational study was conducted in two hospitals in Hubei, China. Confirmed cases of COVID-19 were typed as mild/moderate, severe, or critically ill. Clinical data and in-hospital death were collected. The risk for malnutrition was assessed using the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), the prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) via objective parameters at admission.

RESULTS

Two hundred ninety-five patients were enrolled, including 66 severe patients and 41 critically ill patients. Twenty-five deaths were observed, making 8.47% in the whole population and 37.88% in the critically ill subgroup. Patients had significant differences in nutrition-related parameters and inflammatory biomarkers among three types of disease severity. Patients with lower GNRI and PNI, as well as higher CONUT scores, had a higher risk of in-hospital mortality. The receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated the good prognostic implication of GNRI and CONUT score. The multivariate logistic regression showed that baseline nutritional status, assessed by GNRI, PNI, or CONUT score, was a prognostic indicator for in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite variant screening tools, poor nutritional status was associated with in-hospital death in patients infected with COVID-19. This study highlighted the importance of nutritional screening at admission and the new insight of nutritional monitoring or therapy.

Differential impacts of 24 hour urinary sodium excretion on cardiovascular diseases or cancer mortality in a general population

BACKGROUND

Elevated blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease. But the effects of sodium intake or excretion on CV mortality are uncertain. The present study aimed to investigate the association between 24 h urinary sodium excretion, as a marker of dietary salt intake, and CV or cancer mortality in a healthy Japanese population using 24 hurine collection.

METHODS

The baseline study was conducted in 1980. A total of 1291 participants aged 21 to 85 years, underwent health check-ups, which included blood chemistry measurements and the collection of 24 h urine samples. Enrolled 1291 participants were followed up for 27.5 years, in whom the final follow-up rate was 95.8%. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the association between 24 h urinary sodium excretion and CV or cancer mortality.

RESULTS

The mean 24 h urinary sodium excretion was 5.80 ± 2.28 g/day. There were 631 deaths: 153 (27%) from cancer, 142 (26%) from CV disease. In the Cox proportional hazard regression model after adjustment for confounding factors, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and uric acid were positively associated with CV mortality, and the 24 h urinary sodium and potassium excretions were inversely associated with CV mortality (p < 0.05). On the other hand, there were no association between 24 h urinary sodium excretions and cancer mortality. We divided the urinary sodium excretions levels into quartiles. After adjustment for confounding factors, the hazard ratio of CV mortality in the highest quartile of 24 h urinary sodium excretion versus the lowest was 0.46 (p < 0.05). The cumulative survival rate for CV death was significantly decreased in the lowest quartile compared with the other higher groups.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that impacts of 24 h sodium excretion on CV and cancer mortalities were much different in the general population.

Malnutrition, Family Support, and Possible Sarcopenia in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Background

Possible sarcopenia, aortic valve stenosis, and malnutrition are important issues that afflict older adults.

Objective

The aims of this study were to compare the differences in nutritional status and family support in older adults with possible sarcopenia and those without sarcopenia after undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and to identify the predictors of malnutrition and demonstrate changes in heart function over time after undergoing TAVI.

Methods

A case-control design was conducted. Possible sarcopenia was identified by measuring calf circumference, grip strength, and gait speed. The Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form and numerical family support rating scale were used to collect data. Left ventricular ejection fraction and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class were assessed at 5 time points to evaluate heart function.

Results

Eighty-one participants were categorized into those without sarcopenia (34) and those with possible sarcopenia (47). Logistic linear regression showed albumin and possible sarcopenia to be predictors of malnutrition (odds ratio, 5.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–30.19). Family support was associated with nutrition status (P = .019). For patient heart function, the results of NYHA functional class and left ventricular ejection fraction improved over time after TAVI. The improvement in NYHA functional class at T2 was significantly different between the 2 groups compared with that at T0.

Conclusions

The nutrition level was higher among participants without sarcopenia than those with possible sarcopenia. Approximately 90% of the participants indicated that they had high family support. Demographic factors and albumin levels could be used to evaluate risk of malnutrition. Patients without possible sarcopenia showed greater improvement in NYHA class.

Malnutrition Risk among Older Mexican Adults in the Mexican Health and Aging Study

Few studies assess the malnutrition risk of older Mexican adults because most studies do not assess nutritional status. This study proposes a modified version of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) to assess the risk of malnutrition among older Mexicans adults in the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS). Data comes from the 2012, 2015, and 2018 waves of the MHAS, a nationally representative study of Mexicans aged 50 and older. The sample included 13,338 participants and a subsample of 1911 with biomarker values. ROC analysis was used to calculate the cut point for malnutrition risk. This cut point was compared to the definition of malnutrition from the ESPEN criteria, BMI, low hemoglobin, or low cholesterol. Logistic regression was used to assess predictors of malnutrition risk. A score of 10 was the optimal cut point for malnutrition risk in the modified MNA. This cut point had high concordance to identify malnutrition risk compared to the ESPEN criteria (97.7%) and had moderate concordance compared to BMI only (78.6%), and the biomarkers of low hemoglobin (56.1%) and low cholesterol (54.1%). Women, those older than 70, those with Seguro Popular health insurance, and those with fair/poor health were more likely to be malnourished. The modified MNA is an important tool to assess malnutrition risk in future studies using MHAS data.

Joint Effort towards Preventing Nutritional Deficiencies at the Extremes of Life during COVID-19

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic is posing a threat to communities and healthcare systems worldwide. Malnutrition, in all its forms, may negatively impact the susceptibility and severity of SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) infection in both children and older adults. Both undernutrition and obesity have been evoked as conditions associated with a higher susceptibility to the infection and poor prognosis. In turn, the COVID-19 infection may worsen the nutritional status through highly catabolic conditions, exposing individuals to the risk of malnutrition, muscle wasting, and nutritional deficiencies. Accordingly, the relationship between malnutrition and COVID-19 is likely to be bidirectional. Furthermore, the modification of nutritional behaviors and physical activity, required to limit the spread of the virus, are posing a challenge to health at both the extremes of life. Thus far, even the most advanced healthcare systems have failed to address the alarming consequences of malnutrition posed by this pandemic. If not properly addressed, we may run the risk that new and old generations will experience the consequences of COVID-19 related malnutrition.

Factors associated with nutritional risk in patients receiving haemodialysis assessed by Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002)

BACKGROUND

Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 is recommended as a screening tool to identify patients at risk of undernutrition for all patients in hospitals by the European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. Nutritional risk is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients, and it is common among patients on haemodialysis. Factors associated with nutritional risk that could facilitate the screening/diagnostic procedures are warranted.

OBJECTIVES

Identification of factors that are associated with nutritional risk in patients with end-stage renal disease treated with haemodialysis.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

Single-centre, cross-sectional study in patients receiving haemodialysis (n = 53) were screened for nutritional risk using Nutritional Risk Screening 2002. Associations were made with data on dietary intake by 24-h dietary recall, and measurement of body composition, anthropometric measurements and biochemical variables.

RESULTS

Nutritional risk was common among patients on haemodialysis (26%), and was associated with low energy and protein intake, and low pre-albumin concentrations also after adjustments for age and sex. Nutritional risk was neither associated with diabetes nor duration of dialysis treatment.

CONCLUSION

Measurement of pre-albumin and dietary assessment using a 24-h dietary recall can support the identification of patients receiving haemodialysis at nutritional risk.

Development and Evaluation of Nutrition Screening Tool in Patients with Hepatitis B-Related Cirrhosis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aim

Malnutrition is common in cirrhotic patients; however, there is no gold standard for nutritional assessment for this population. The aim of this study was to develop a novel nutritional screening tool based on objective indicators for cirrhotic patients chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study. Patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis were recruited. Malnutrition was diagnosed by the presence of any of the following conditions: Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 score greater than 3 points, Subjective Global Assessment grade B or C, and body mass index (BMI) <18.5 kg/m². Nomogram model and decision tree model were developed, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was compared.

Results

Among the 231 studied cases, 92 (39%) were malnourished. Malnourished patients had significantly lower serum albumin, BMI and hand grip strength levels, but higher serum creatinine level and Child-Pugh grade. Two models were developed based on these variables. The nomogram model had a sensitivity of 0.696, a specificity of 0.820 and an accuracy of 0.813. The AUROC of nomogram model was 0.813 (95% CI: 0.758-0.869, p <0.001). For the decision tree model, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy are 0.761, 0.885 and 0.886, respectively, with an AUROC of 0.886 (95% CI: 0842-0.930, p <0.001). The difference in AUROC between these two models was not statistically significant (p <0.001).

Conclusion

The nomogram model and decision tree model developed in this study may aid assessing nutritional status for cirrhotic patients with HBV.

Impact of Diabetes and Low Body Mass Index on Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Diabetes was identified as a tuberculosis (TB) risk factor mostly in retrospective studies with limited assessments of metabolic variables. The prospective Effects of Diabetes on Tuberculosis Severity study compared adults with pulmonary TB in Chennai, India, who were classified as having either diabetes or a normal glucose tolerance at enrollment.

METHODS

Baseline TB severity, sputum conversion, and treatment outcomes (cure, failure, death, or loss to follow-up) were compared between groups with respect to glycemic status and body mass index (BMI).

RESULTS

The cohort of 389 participants included 256 with diabetes and 133 with a normal glucose tolerance. Low BMIs (<18.5 kg/m2) were present in 99 (74.4%) of nondiabetic participants and 85 (33.2%) of those with diabetes. Among participants with normal or high BMIs, rates of cure, treatment failure, or death did not vary by glycemic status. Participants with low BMIs had the highest radiographic severity of disease, the longest time to sputum culture conversion, and the highest rates of treatment failure and death. Among participants with low BMIs, poorly controlled diabetes (glycohemoglobin [HbA1c] ≥8.0%) was unexpectedly associated with better TB treatment outcomes. A high visceral adiposity index was associated with adverse outcomes and, despite an overall correlation with HbA1c, was elevated in some low-BMI individuals with normal glucose tolerance.

CONCLUSIONS

In this South Indian cohort, a low BMI was significantly associated with an increased risk for adverse TB treatment outcomes, while comorbid, poorly controlled diabetes lessened that risk. A high visceral adiposity index, either with or without dysglycemia, might reflect a novel TB susceptibility mechanism linked to adipose tissue dysfunction.

[Influence of prognostic nutritional index and controlling nutritional status on the prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma]

Objective: To explore the influence of prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and controlling nutritional status (CONUT) on the prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma. Methods: Data of 157 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) at the affiliated hospital of Xuzhou medical university from January 2014 to December 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. The operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was adopted as the optimal cut-off point. PNI and CONUT were grouped based on the cut-off points of 44.45 and 3.5, respectively, and the differences between age, gender, serum calcium, β(2)-microglobulin, serum creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, and hemoglobin were analyzed. The prognostic factors were analyzed via univariate and Cox multivariate regression analyses. Results: The level of PNI and CONUT is the influencing factor of OS time. The univariate analysis revealed that age, LDH, plasma cell ratio, β(2)-microglobulin, ISS stage, PNI, and CONUT were the risk factors for the prognosis of patients with MM. The multivariate analysis revealed that age (HR=1.636, 95%CI 1.014-2.640) , plasma cell ratio (HR=1.953, 95%CI 1.232-3.096) , and PNI (HR=0.513, 95%CI 0.287-0.917) were the independent prognostic risk factors of patients with MM. Conclusion: Low PNI in patients with MM indicates a poor prognosis, which is an independent prognosis risk factor.

The role of the BUN/albumin ratio in predicting mortality in COVID-19 patients in the emergency department

Introduction

Due to the high mortality and spread rates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there are currently serious challenges in emergency department management. As such, we investigated whether the blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/albumin ratio (BAR) predicts mortality in the COVID-19 patients in the emergency department.

Methods

A total of 602 COVID-19 patients who were brought to the emergency department within the period from March to September 2020 were included in the study. The BUN level, albumin level, BAR, age, gender, and in-hospital mortality status of the patients were recorded. The patients were grouped by in-hospital mortality. Statistical comparison was conducted between the groups.

Results

Of the patients who were included in the study, 312(51.8%) were male, and their median age was 63 years (49–73). There was in-hospital mortality in 96(15.9%) patients. The median BUN and BAR values of the patients in the non-survivor group were significantly higher than those in the survivor group (BUN: 24.76 [17.38–38.31] and 14.43 [10.84–20.42], respectively [p < 0.001]; BAR: 6.7 [4.7–10.1] and 3.4 [2.5–5.2], respectively [p < 0.001]). The mean albumin value in the non-survivor group was significantly lower than that in the survivor group (3.60 ± 0.58 and 4.13 ± 0.51, respectively; p < 0.001). The area-under-the-curve (AUC) and odds ratio values obtained by BAR to predict in-hospital COVID-19 mortality were higher than the values obtained by BUN and albumin (AUC of BAR, BUN, and albumin: 0.809, 0.771, and 0.765, respectively; odds ratio of BAR>3.9, BUN>16.05, and albumin<4.01: 10.448, 7.048, and 6.482, respectively).

Conclusion

The BUN, albumin, and BAR levels were found to be reliable predictors of in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients, but BAR was found to be a more reliable predictor than the BUN and albumin levels.

1H NMR metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal urinary metabolites as biomarker candidates in response to protein undernutrition in adult rats

Protein undernutrition contributes to the development of various diseases in broad generations. Urinary metabolites may serve as non-invasive biomarkers of protein undernutrition; however, this requires further investigation. We aimed to identify novel urinary metabolites as biomarker candidates responsive to protein undernutrition. Adult rats were fed control (CT; 14 % casein) or isoenergetic low-protein (LP; 5 % casein) diets for 4 weeks. 1H NMR metabolomics was applied to urine, plasma and liver samples to identify metabolites responsive to protein undernutrition. Liver samples were subjected to mRNA microarray and quantitative PCR analyses to elucidate the mechanisms causing fluctuations in identified metabolites. Urinary taurine levels were significantly lower in the LP group than in the CT group at week 1 and remained constant until week 4. Hepatic taurine level and gene expression level of cysteine dioxygenase type 1 were also significantly lower in the LP group than in the CT group. Urinary trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) levels were significantly higher in the LP group than in the CT group at week 2 and remained constant until week 4. Hepatic TMAO level and gene expression levels of flavin-containing mono-oxygenase 1 and 5 were also significantly higher in the LP group than in the CT group. In conclusion, urinary taurine and TMAO levels substantially responded to protein undernutrition. Furthermore, changes in hepatic levels of these metabolites and gene expressions associated with their metabolic pathways were also reflected in their fluctuating urinary levels. Thus, taurine and TMAO could act as non-invasive urinary biomarker candidates to detect protein undernutrition.

Schistosoma mansoni Infection Is Impacted by Malnutrition

Schistosomiasis remains one of the most important neglected tropical diseases in the world. It mainly affects developing countries, where it often coexists with malnutrition. Despite this, few studies have investigated the relationship between schistosomiasis and malnutrition. Herein, we evaluate the impact of malnutrition on experimental S. mansoni infection. Mice were divided into 5 groups: Control (Ctrl) diet (14% protein and 10% lipids), low-protein 3% (LP 3%), low-protein 8% (LP 8%), low-fat 2.5% (LF 2.5%), and low-fat 5% (LF 5%). Mice were fed with their respective diets and were infected when a difference of approximately 20% in the body weight between mice from any experimental group and mice from the control group was achieved. Nutritional, parasitological, and immunological parameters were assessed either just before infection and/or approximately 50 days later before mice were perfused. Our results showed that the 3% low-protein diet was the only one capable of establishing malnutrition in mice. Mice fed with this diet showed: (i) significant reduction in body weight and serum albumin levels before infection, (ii) decreased levels of all biochemical parameters evaluated before perfusion, (iii) decreased numbers of schistosome eggs trapped in intestines and impaired parasite fecundity, (iv) a delay in the granuloma development with a smaller granuloma area, and (v) reduced levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ in the liver. Our findings demonstrate that low protein supply leads to malnutrition in mice and impacts the cytokine milieu in the liver and granuloma formation. Additionally, the establishment of our murine malnutrition model will enable future studies aiming to better understand the complex relationships between nutrition, immune responses, and infection outcome.

Body Composition Analysis as a Predictor of Prognosis for Patients With Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Kidney Replacement Therapy

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to investigate the association between body composition, measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis, and outcomes in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) receiving kidney replacement therapy (KRT).

METHODS

Patients with severe AKI treated with KRT in our hospital between September 2016 and August 2018 were enrolled. These patients were assessed by body composition analysis before KRT, and on the 3rd day and the 7th day after initiation of KRT. The predictors included lean tissue index (LTI), fat tissue index, and body cell mass index (BCMI). The association between all-cause mortality and predictors was analyzed using Cox regression.

RESULTS

A total of 152 patients were included in this study, with a 28-day mortality of 46.7% and 1-year mortality of 60.5%. LTI (adjusted hazard ratio per standard deviation: 0.37; 95% confidence interval = 0.21-0.66, P < .001) and BCMI (adjusted hazard ratio per standard deviation: 0.37; 95% confidence interval = 0.21-0.67, P < .001) on day 7 after initiation of KRT, rather than before KRT, were associated with mortality during follow-up. LTI and BCMI before KRT were associated with 28-day mortality rather than 1-year mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

LTI and BCMI before KRT were associated with short-term prognosis, and those on day 7 after KRT initiation were associated with intermediate mortality in patients with AKI requiring KRT.

Relationship between Low Pretreatment Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index and Poor Tolerability of Azacitidine in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes

BACKGROUND

Predicting tolerability and treatment-related risks associated with azacitidine (AZA) in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) before the initiation of therapy is required for appropriate treatment. Thus, in this study, the nutritional status of patients with MDS prior to AZA treatment was evaluated using the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI). Tolerability and overall survival (OS) after AZA initiation were also investigated.

METHODS

This was a single-center retrospective observational study. A total of 59 patients with MDS treated with AZA were assessed using GNRI, and a comparison of undernourished (GNRI <92, n = 27) and non-undernourished (GNRI ≥92, n = 32) patients was performed.

RESULTS

The undernourished group had a significant reduction in the number of patients that successfully completed 4 cycles of AZA treatment compared with the non-undernourished group (undernourished group, 11/27 patients, 40.7% vs. non-undernourished group, 24/32 patients, 75.0%; p = 0.009). Factors associated with the difference included karyotype and GNRI. There was also a significant increase in the rate of infectious complications in the undernourished group compared with the non-undernourished group (undernourished group, 33/60 cycles, 55.0% vs. non-undernourished group, 31/92 cycles, 33.7%; p = 0.012). Lastly, a significant reduction in OS was observed in the undernourished group compared with the non-undernourished group (undernourished group, 11.5 months; 95% CI, 5.2-16.7 vs. non-undernourished group, 21.9 months; 95% CI, 13.8-24.0; p = 0.026). Factors associated with OS included both the revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) and GNRI.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that predicting treatment completion and adverse events in patients with MDS prior to AZA treatment is important. This study suggests GNRI may be a valuable nutritional assessment tool for determining tolerability and OS of AZA treatment.

Nutritional Assessment in Adult Patients with Dysphagia: A Scoping Review

Malnutrition negatively affects the quality of life of patients with dysphagia. Despite the need for nutritional status assessment in patients with dysphagia, standard, effective nutritional assessments are not yet available, and the identification of optimal nutritional assessment items for patients with dysphagia is inadequate. We conducted a scoping review of the use of nutritional assessment items in adult patients with oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia. The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched to identify articles published in English within the last 30 years. Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Seven nutritional assessment categories were identified: body mass index (BMI), nutritional screening tool, anthropometric measurements, body composition, dietary assessment, blood biomarkers, and other. BMI and albumin were more commonly assessed in adults. The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM), defining new diagnostic criteria for malnutrition, includes the categories of BMI, nutritional screening tool, anthropometric measurements, body composition, and dietary assessment as its required components, but not the blood biomarkers and the “other” categories. We recommend assessing nutritional status, including GLIM criteria, in adult patients with dysphagia. This would standardize nutritional assessments in patients with dysphagia and allow future global comparisons of the prevalence and outcomes of malnutrition, as well as of appropriate interventions.

Analysis of the Nutritional Status in Homeless People in Poland Based on the Selected Biochemical Parameters

The aim of the study was to assess the nutritional status of adult homeless people using both anthropometric and biochemical measurements. The analysis comprised anthropometric indicators, i.e., body mass index and waist circumference, and the following biomarkers: red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, white blood cells, complete lymphocyte count, neutrophils-to-lymphocytes ratio, platelets-to-lymphocytes ratio, platelets-to-leukocytes ratio, C reactive protein level, serum iron concentration, serum albumin concentration, total serum protein, fasting lipids and blood glucose level. There were representative Polish homeless people enrolled (n = 580). The analysis of the conducted studies proved that there is a greater frequency of overweight and obesity than underweight in the target population. The major problem was abdominal obesity that was present statistically more frequently in women than men (p < 0.001). In the majority of cases, homeless people were found to have normal complete blood count parameters. In obese people, there were statistically significant both elevated and decreased hematocrit levels, a significant decrease in red blood cells, elevated serum glucose, triglycerides and total protein level (p < 0.05). The presence of abdominal obesity, elevated glucose concentration, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides, and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in serum together with smoking increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Prediction of Recurrence in Patients with Stage III Colon Cancer Using Conventional Clinicopathological Factors and Peripheral Blood Test Data: A New Analysis with Artificial Intelligence

BACKGROUND

Survival rate may be predicted by tumor-node-metastasis staging systems in colon cancer. In clinical practice, about 20 to 30 clinicopathological factors and blood test data have been used. Various predictive factors for recurrence have been advocated; however, the interactions are complex and remain to be established. We used artificial intelligence (AI) to examine predictive factors related to recurrence.

METHODS

The study group comprised 217 patients who underwent curative surgery for stage III colon cancer. Using a self-organizing map (SOM), an AI-based method, patients with only 23 clinicopathological factors, patients with 23 clinicopathological factors and 34 of preoperative blood test data (pre-data), and those with 23 clinicopathological factors and 31 of postoperative blood test data (post-data) were classified into several clusters with various rates of recurrence.

RESULTS

When only clinicopathological factors were used, the percentage of T4b disease, the percentage of N2 disease, and the number of metastatic lymph nodes were significantly higher in a cluster with a higher rate of recurrence. When clinicopathological factors and pre-data were used, three described pathological factors and the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly higher and the serum total protein (TP) levels, serum albumin levels, and the percentage of lymphocytes were significantly lower in a cluster with a higher rate of recurrence. When clinicopathological factors and post-data were used, three described pathological factors, serum CRP levels, and serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels were significantly higher and serum TP levels, serum albumin levels, and the percentage of lymphocytes were significantly lower in a cluster with a higher rate of recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

This AI-based analysis extracted several risk factors for recurrence from more than 50 pathological and blood test factors before and after surgery separately. This analysis may predict the risk of recurrence of a new patient by confirming which clusters this patient belongs to.