Development of a valid and reliable malnutrition screening tool for adult acute hospital patients

The association between blood biological age at rehabilitation admission and physical activity during rehabilitation in geriatric inpatients: RESORT

Geriatric rehabilitation inpatients have high levels of sedentary behaviour (SB) and low levels of physical activity (PA). Biological age predicted by blood biomarkers is indicative of adverse outcomes. The objective was to determine the association between blood biological age at rehabilitation admission and levels of SB and PA during rehabilitation in geriatric inpatients. Inpatients admitted to geriatric rehabilitation wards at the Royal Melbourne Hospital (Melbourne, Australia) from October 22, 2019, to March 29, 2020, in the REStORing health of acute unwell adulTs (RESORT) observational cohort were included. Blood biological age was predicted using SenoClock-BloodAge, a hematological ageing clock. Patients wore an inertial sensor to measure SB and PA. Logistic regression analyses were conducted. A total of 111 patients (57.7% female) with mean age 83.3 ± 7.5 years were included in the analysis. The mean blood biological age was 82.7 ± 8.4 years. Patients with 1-year higher blood biological age had higher odds of having high SB measured as non-upright time greater than 23 h/day (odds ratio (OR): 1.050, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.000-1.102). Individuals having 1-year higher age deviation trended towards lower odds of having high levels of PA measured as stepping time greater than 7.4 min/day (OR: 0.916, CI: 0.836-1.005) and as greater than 19.5 sit-to-stand transitions/day (OR: 0.915, CI: 0.836-1.002). In conclusion, higher biological age was associated with higher levels of SB and trended towards lower PA. Incorporating blood biological age could facilitate resource allocation and the development of more tailored rehabilitation plans.

Study protocol for a single-site feasibility study evaluating the adoption and fidelity of Prep-4-RT: prehabilitation for head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy

INTRODUCTION

Prep-4-RT is a co-designed stepped-care multimodal prehabilitation program for people scheduled to receive radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC). Prehabilitation, which occurs between diagnosis and treatment commencement, aims to improve a patient's health to reduce the incidence and severity of current and future impairments. HNC treatment can be distressing and has detrimental impacts on function and quality of life. HNC patients have increased social vulnerabilities including higher rates of socio-economic disadvantage and engagement in lifestyle habits which increase cancer risk. High levels of physical and psychological impacts of HNC treatment and increased social vulnerabilities of this population warrant investigation of optimal pathways of care, such as prehabilitation. This paper describes a research protocol to evaluate the feasibility of Prep-4-RT, which was designed to prepare HNC patients for the physical and psychological impacts of radiotherapy.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

At least sixty adult HNC patients, scheduled to receive radiotherapy (with or without chemotherapy), will be recruited over a five-month period. All participants will receive access to Prep-4-RT self-management resources. Participants identified through screening as high-risk will also be offered individualised interventions with relevant allied health professionals prior to the commencement of radiotherapy (psychologists, dietitians, speech pathologists and physiotherapists). Participants will complete evaluation surveys assessing their experiences with Prep-4-RT resources and interventions. Clinicians will also complete program evaluation surveys. Primary feasibility outcomes include adoption (uptake and intention to try) and fidelity (adherence to the specialist prehabilitation pathway). Secondary feasibility outcomes include acceptability (patient and clinician) of and satisfaction (patient) with Prep-4-RT as well as operational costs. Feasibility outcome data will be analysed using exact binomial and one-sample t tests, as appropriate.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval has been obtained at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia. Results will be presented at national conferences and published in peer-reviewed journal(s) so that it can be accessed by clinicians involved in the care of HNC patients receiving radiotherapy. If the model of care is found to be feasible and acceptable, the transferability and scalability to other cancer centres, or for other cancer types, may be investigated.

REGISTRATION DETAILS

ANZCTA (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry) ACTRN12623000770662.

Value of the modified Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment in indicating the need for nutrition intervention and predicting overall survival in patients with malignant tumors in at least two organs

BACKGROUND

Although the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) is a reference standard used to assess a patient's nutrition status, it is cumbersome to administer. The aim of the present study was to estimate the value of a simpler and easier-to-use modified PG-SGA (mPG-SGA) to evaluate the nutrition status and need for intervention in patients with malignant tumors present in at least two organs.

METHODS

A total of 591 patients (343 male and 248 female) were included from the INSCOC study. A Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to assess the correlation between the mPG-SGA and nutrition-related factors, with the optimal cut-off defined by a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). The consistency between the mPG-SGA and PG-SGA was compared in a concordance analysis. A survival analysis was used to determine the effects of nutritional intervention among different nutrition status groups. Univariable and multivariable Cox analyses were applied to evaluate the association of the mPG-SGA with the all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

The mPG-SGA showed a negative association with nutrition-related factors. Individuals with an mPG-SGA ≥ 5 (rounded from 4.5) were considered to need nutritional intervention. Among the malnourished patients (mPG-SGA ≥ 5), the overall survival (OS) of those who received nutrition intervention was significantly higher than that of patients who did not. However, the OS was not significantly different in the better-nourished patients (mPG-SGA < 5).

CONCLUSION

Our findings support that the mPG-SGA is a feasible tool that can be used to guide nutritional interventions and predict the survival of patients with malignant tumors affecting at least two organs.

Identifying nutrition risk in emergency patients: What is the most appropriate screening tool?

BACKGROUND

The emergency department (ED) is the most frequent access route to the hospital. Nutrition risk (NR) screening allows the early identification of patients at risk of malnutrition. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and predictive validity of five different tools in EDs: Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002), Nutritional Risk Emergency 2017 (NRE-2017), Royal Free Hospital-Nutritional Prioritizing Tool (RFH-NPT), Malnutrition Universal Screening (MUST), and Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST).

METHODS

Patients with scores ≥3 according to the NRS-2002, ≥1.5 according to the NRE-2017, and ≥2 according to the MUST, RFH-NPT, or MST were classified with NR. Prolonged length of stay (LOS) and 1-year mortality were evaluated.

RESULTS

431 patients were evaluated (57.31 ± 15.6 years of age; 54.4% women) in a public hospital in southern Brazil. The prevalence of NR was: 35% according to the NRS-2002, 43% according to the MST, 45% according to the NRE-2017 and MUST, and 49% according to the RFH-NPT. Patients with NR, had a greater risk of prolonged LOS (P < 0.001). The presence of NR was associated with an increased risk of 1-year mortality according to the NRS-2002 (hazard ratio [HR]: 4.04; 95% CI, 2.513-6.503), MST (HR: 2.60; 95% CI, 1.701-3.996), NRE-2017 (HR: 4.82; 95% CI, 2.753-8.443), MUST (HR: 4.00; 95% CI, 2.385-6.710), and RFH-NPT (HR: 5.43; 95% CI, 2.984-9.907).

CONCLUSIONS

NRE-2017 does not require objective data and presented predictive validity for all outcomes assessed, regardless of the severity of the disease, and thus appears to be the most appropriate tool for carrying out NR screening in the ED.

Body Weight and Composition Changes in Geriatric Rehabilitation Are Dependent on Sarcopenia and Malnutrition: RESORT

OBJECTIVES

Body weight and muscle mass loss following an acute hospitalization in older patients may be influenced by malnutrition and sarcopenia among other factors. This study aimed to assess the changes in body weight and composition from admission to discharge and the geriatric variables associated with the changes in geriatric rehabilitation inpatients.

DESIGN

RESORT is an observational, longitudinal cohort.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Geriatric rehabilitation inpatients admitted to geriatric rehabilitation wards at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia (N = 1006).

METHODS

Changes in body weight and body composition [fat mass (FM), appendicular lean mass (ALM)] from admission to discharge were analyzed using linear mixed models. Body mass index (BMI) categories, (risk of) malnutrition (Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition), sarcopenia (European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People), dependence in activities of daily living (ADL), multimorbidity, and cognitive impairment were tested as geriatric variables by which the changes in body weight and composition may differ.

RESULTS

A total of 1006 patients [median age: 83.2 (77.7-88.8) years, 58.5% female] were included. Body weight, FM (kg), and FM% decreased (0.30 kg, 0.43 kg, and 0.46%, respectively) and ALM (kg) and ALM% increased (0.17 kg and 0.33%, respectively) during geriatric rehabilitation. Body weight increased in patients with underweight; decreased in patients with normal/overweight, obesity, ADL dependence and in those without malnutrition and sarcopenia. ALM% and FM% decreased in patients with normal/overweight. ALM increased in patients without multimorbidity and in those with malnutrition and sarcopenia; ALM% increased in patients without multimorbidity and with sarcopenia.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

In geriatric rehabilitation, body weight increased in patients with underweight but decreased in patients with normal/overweight and obesity. ALM increased in patients with malnutrition and sarcopenia but not in patients without. This suggests the need for improved standard of care independent of patients' nutritional risk.

Completion of a Nutrition-Focused Physical Exam with hospitalized adults and pediatric patients: Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Nutrition-Focused Physical Exam (NFPE) feasibility is not well-studied. We describe registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN)-reported NFPE completion for hospitalized adult and pediatric patients overall and by assessment parameters.

METHODS

Trained RDNs systematically conducted NFPEs for hospitalized adult and pediatric patients during the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Indicators to diagnose Malnutrition multisite cohort study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03928548). RDNs reported their ability to evaluate assessment sites for subcutaneous fat and muscle loss, fluid accumulation, and micronutrient status and to complete handgrip strength (adults and children ≥6 years) and mid-upper arm circumference measurements (children). RDNs noted if they could complete the full NFPE; if not, they noted challenges. We descriptively summarized results and used multilevel logistic regression models to examine relationships between patient characteristics and NFPE completion.

RESULTS

RDNs from 39 adult and 29 pediatric US hospitals conducted NFPEs for 327 adults and 214 children aged 1 month to 17.9 years. RDNs reported completing the examination for 44% (n = 145) of adults and 15% (n = 33) of children. They successfully evaluated 25 of 27 and 19 of 26 unique NFPE components in >80% of adults and children, respectively. Common reasons the full NFPE was not completed were limited mobility in adults and patient refusal in children. RDNs had lower odds of completing NFPEs in adults with lower vs higher education levels or higher vs lower nutrition complexity and in younger vs older children.

CONCLUSION

RDNs evaluated NFPE components for a high proportion (>80%) of hospitalized patients.

Swallowing impairment in older persons following burn injury: Validation of incidence and predictive factors for dysphagia

BACKGROUND

Early retrospective data identify that dysphagia is common in older persons with burn injury, suggesting a rate of 47 %, and that it is associated with medical, burn, and nutritional outcomes.

AIMS

To prospectively (1) explore the incidence, (2) describe associations, and (3) evaluate risk factors for dysphagia in patients ≥ 75 years old hospitalised with burn injury.

METHODS

All patients > 75 years old admitted to Concord-Repatriation-General-Hospital with burn injury over 4 years (2019-2023) were assessed for dysphagia on presentation and were continually monitored throughout their admission. Burn injury, demographic, and nutritional data were prospectively captured and analysed for association with dysphagia.

RESULTS

Sixty-two patients (33 male) aged 75-95 years (median=83 years) were recruited. Dysphagia was identified in 50 %. Dysphagia was associated with burn size (p = 0.002), pre-existing cognitive impairment (p = 0.000), hospital length of stay (p = 0.001), in-hospital complications (p = 0.000), feeding dependence (p = 0.002), nutritional status (p = 0.013) and enteral feeding duration (p = 0.030). Cognitive impairment was the most sensitive predictor for dysphagia at 100 % (specificity=29 %, NPV=100 %, PPV=59 %). Development of secondary comorbidities was less sensitive at 52 % (NPV 65 %), but was associated with high specificity (90 %) and PPV (84 %).

CONCLUSIONS

One in every two patients ≥ 75 years admitted with burn injury will demonstrate dysphagia during their hospital admission. Those with pre-existing cognitive impairment are most at risk.

Effect of Communication Mode on Disclosure of Nutrition Impact Symptoms During Nutrition Intervention Delivered to People With Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer

Individuals diagnosed with upper gastrointestinal cancers experience a myriad of nutrition impact symptoms (NIS) compromise a person's ability to adequately meet their nutritional requirements leading to malnutrition, reduced quality of life and poorer survival. Electronic health (eHealth) is a potential strategy for improving the delivery of nutrition interventions by improving early and sustained access to dietitians to address both NIS and malnutrition. This study aimed to explore whether the mode of delivery affected participant disclosure of NIS during a nutrition intervention. Participants in the intervention groups received a nutrition intervention for 18 weeks from a dietitian via telephone or mobile application (app) using behaviour change techniques to assist in goal achievement. Poisson regression determined the proportion of individuals who reported NIS compared between groups. Univariate and multiple regression analyses of demographic variables explored the relationship between demographics and reporting of NIS. The incidence of reporting of NIS was more than 1.8 times higher in the telephone group (n = 38) compared to the mobile group (n = 36). Telephone predicted a higher likelihood of disclosure of self-reported symptoms of fatigue, nausea, and anorexia throughout the intervention period. A trusting therapeutic relationship built on human connection is fundamental and may not be achieved with current models of mobile health technologies.

Survey of nutrition screening practices in pediatric hospitals across the United States

BACKGROUND

Nutrition screening on admission is critically important to systematically identify patients with undernutrition given the known relationship with deleterious clinical outcomes. Limited data exist regarding optimal processes and criteria for pediatric nutrition screening. Therefore, we sought to characterize nutrition screening practices in pediatric hospitals.

METHODS

A total of 365 inpatient pediatric hospitals in the United States were identified, eligible, and contacted. Eligible hospitals included general pediatric hospitals, adult hospitals with pediatric units, and specialty pediatric hospitals. One respondent at each eligible hospital was asked to complete a 33-question survey of admission nutrition screening practices.

RESULTS

Of 268 survey respondents, 37% represented pediatric units in adult hospitals, 35% general pediatric hospitals, and 28% pediatric specialty or psychiatric hospitals. A total of 98.5% endorsed the existence of a screening process on admission. Anthropometrics (eg, body mass index z score, 84%) and nutrition status (eg, change in intake, 67%) were the most common screening criteria applied. A nutrition screening instrument was used in 37% of institutions, and only 31% of institutions reported using pediatric-specific screening instruments. Pediatric units within adult hospitals were 1.38 times more likely to use a screening instrument validated in any population. Barriers to nutrition screening included the lack of a standard screening procedure and insufficient staff to conduct screening. Fifty-four percent of respondents reported a desire to change their hospital's nutrition screening process.

CONCLUSION

Most pediatric hospitals screen for nutrition risk on admission. However, methods and criteria varied widely across pediatric hospitals, highlighting the importance of standardized best practices.

A Novel Facet of In-Hospital Food Consumption Associated with Hospital Mortality in Patients with Scheduled Admission-Addition of a Study Protocol to Test the Existence of Effects of COVID-19 in the Same Study in the Post-COVID-19 Period

BACKGROUND

Humankind has faced unexperienced pandemic events since 2020. Since the COVID-19 pandemic has calmed down, we felt the need to verify whether in-hospital mortality had worsened compared to pre-pandemic conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that daily food consumption is associated with in-hospital mortality during hospitalization and to provide baseline data to examine whether the effects of COVID-19 exist or not in post-pandemic period.

METHODS

All hospitalized patients staying in a single institution on the third Thursday of May, August, November, and the following February were included. Compared data: (1) among four seasons, (2) between age < 75 vs. ≥75 years, (3) between <75% vs. ≥75% of in-hospital food, and (4) logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

In 365 inpatients, the following results were obtained: (1) no seasonality or age effect in in-hospital mortality, (2) the novel cutoff value of 75% of the hospital food requirement was used to identify poor in-hospital survivors, (3) logistic regression analysis showed low food consumption, with <75% of the hospital food requirement as the predictor of high in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

A small eater of in-hospital food < 75% during hospitalization was associated with significantly higher in-hospital mortality in patients with scheduled hospitalization in the pre-pandemic period. Then, a study protocol is proposed to test the existence of the effects of COVID-19 in the same study in the post-COVID-19 period. This study protocol is, to our knowledge, the first proposal to test the effects of food consumption in the post-COVID-19 period on in-hospital mortality in the clinical nutritional areas.

Impact of malnutrition and nutritional support after gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer

Malnutrition, characterized by altered body composition and impaired function, is particularly prevalent among gastric cancer patients, affecting up to 60% of them. Malnutrition in these patients can manifest both before and after surgery, due to factors such as gastric outlet obstruction, cancer cachexia, and anatomical changes. Notably, total gastrectomy (TG) presents the most significant nutritional challenges. However, function-preserving gastrectomy, such as pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG), have shown promise in improving nutritional outcomes. Effective nutritional risk screening and assessment are vital for identifying patients at risk. Nutritional support not only improves nutritional parameters but also reduces complications, enhances quality of life (QoL) and survival rates. Those unable to maintain more than 50% of the recommended intake for over 7 days are recommended for nutritional support. Common methods of nutritional support include oral nutrition supplements (ONS), enteral nutrition (EN), or parenteral nutrition (PN) depending on the patient's status. Effect of perioperative nutritional support remains controversial. Preoperative interventions including ONS and PN have shown mixed results, with selective benefits in patients with sarcopenia or hypoalbuminaemia, while impact of EN in gastric outlet obstruction patients have been positive. In contrast postoperative support appears to be consistent. Tube feeding after TG has shown improvements, and ONS have been effective in reducing weight loss and improving nutritional biomarkers. PN was also associated with benefits such as weight maintenance and QoL. This review explores the mechanisms, assessment, and clinical impact of malnutrition, emphasizing the importance of nutritional support in gastric cancer patients undergoing gastrectomy.

Risk factors for low muscle mass, malnutrition, and (probable-) sarcopenia in adults with or without a history of cancer in the UK Biobank

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Early identification of people at risk of cancer-related malnutrition, low muscle mass (LMM) and sarcopenia is crucial to mitigate the impact of adverse outcomes. This study investigated risk factors associated with LMM, malnutrition and (probable-) sarcopenia and whether these varied in people with or without a history of cancer.

METHODS

Participants in the UK Biobank, with or without a history of cancer, who completed the Oxford WebQ at the baseline assessment were included. LMM was estimated from fat-free mass derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis, and low muscle strength from handgrip strength, and used to identify probable or confirmed sarcopenia following the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 definition. The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria were applied to determine malnutrition. Generalised linear models were used to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) for associations between risk factors (clinical, functional, nutritional) and study outcomes.

RESULTS

Overall, 50,592 adults with (n = 2,287, mean ± SD 59.7 ± 7.1 years) or without (n = 48,305, mean ± SD 55.8 ± 8.2 years) cancer were included. For all participants (PRs [cancer, without cancer]), slow walking pace (PR 1.85; 1.99), multimorbidity (PR 1.72; 1.51), inflammation (PR 2.91; 2.07), and low serum 25(OH)D (PR 1.85, 1.44) were associated with higher prevalence of LMM, while higher energy intake (PR 0.55; 0.49) was associated with lower prevalence. Slow walking pace (PR 1.54 [cancer], 1.51 [without cancer]) and higher protein intake (PR 0.18 [cancer]; 0.11 [without cancer]) were associated with increased or decreased prevalence of malnutrition, respectively regardless of cancer status. Multimorbidity was the only common factor associated with higher prevalence (PR 1.79 [cancer], 1.68 [without cancer]) of (probable-)sarcopenia in all participants.

CONCLUSION

Risk factors for LMM and malnutrition were similar in adults with and without cancer, although these varied between LMM and malnutrition. These findings have implications for the future of risk stratification, screening and assessment for these conditions and the development or modification of existing screening tools.

Inadequate Dietary Education and Poor Adherence to a High Protein, Low Sodium Diet in Cirrhosis: Mixed Methods Approach

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition in cirrhosis is associated with poor outcomes, leading to guidelines for a high protein, low sodium diet; however, there is no guidance regarding the implementation of diet education in clinical practice.

METHODS

A mixed methods study enrolled 21 patients with cirrhosis and their caregivers. Semi-structured interviews on barriers and facilitators of dietary education and adherence were conducted. Demographic and clinical data were obtained, along with quantitative measures of dietary adherence, including 24-h food recall and spot urine sodium. Combined deductive and inductive coding was used to identify qualitative themes, along with a quantitative assessment of interviews. Quantitative data was reported using descriptive statistics with frequencies, mean and confidence intervals.

RESULTS

Participants were mostly male (16/21) with a mean age 57.8 years (SE 2.8) and MELD-Na 9 (SE 1.2). 4 themes emerged: 1. More than 50% of participants and caregivers endorsed no or inadequate diet education 2. They reported mostly negative experiences with dietary adherence with largest impact on social life 3. Facilitators of adherence included the presence of household support and fear of complications of cirrhosis 4. Overwhelmingly desired non-generic handouts and information. Dietary adherence was poor with only one participant meeting protein and sodium requirements based on food recall. Four participants who adhered to < 2000 mg sodium had inadequate daily caloric intake.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary education is inadequate, and adherence to dietary recommendations is poor in patients with cirrhosis. Future studies should use these barriers and facilitators for intervention development.

Association between malnutrition and post-acute COVID-19 sequelae: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Long coronavirus disease consists of health problems people experience after being infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). These can be severe and include respiratory, neurological, and gastrointestinal symptoms, with resulting detrimental impacts on quality of life. Although malnutrition has been shown to increase risk of severe disease and death during acute infection, less is known about its influence on post-acute COVID-19 outcomes. We addressed this critical gap in knowledge by evaluating malnutrition's impact on post-COVID-19 sequelae.

METHODS

This study leveraged the National COVID Cohort Collaborative to identify a cohort of patients who were at least 28 days post-acute COVID-19 infection. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models evaluated the impact of malnutrition on the following postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2: (1) death, (2) long COVID diagnosis, (3) COVID-19 reinfection, and (4) other phenotypic abnormalities. A subgroup analysis evaluated these outcomes in a cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 with hospital-acquired (HAC) malnutrition.

RESULTS

The final cohort included 4,372,722 individuals, 78,782 (1.8%) with a history of malnutrition. Individuals with malnutrition had a higher risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 2.10; 95% CI: 2.04-2.17) and SARS-CoV-2 reinfection (aHR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.43-1.61) in the postacute period than those without malnutrition. In the subgroup, those with HAC malnutrition had a higher risk of death and long COVID diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Nutrition screening for individuals with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection may be a crucial step in mitigating life-altering, negative postacute outcomes through early identification and intervention of patients with malnutrition.

Geriatric Syndromes Frequently (Co)-Occur in Geriatric Rehabilitation Inpatients: Restoring Health of Acutely Unwell Adults (RESORT) and Enhancing Muscle Power in Geriatric Rehabilitation (EMPOWER-GR)

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence and co-occurrence of common geriatric syndromes in geriatric rehabilitation inpatients.

DESIGN

Restoring Health of Acutely Unwell Adults (RESORT) and Enhancing Muscle Power in Geriatric Rehabilitation (EMPOWER-GR) are observational, longitudinal cohorts.

SETTING

Geriatric rehabilitation.

PARTICIPANTS

Geriatric rehabilitation inpatients (N=1890 and N=200).

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Geriatric syndromes included polypharmacy, multimorbidity (Cumulative Illness Rating Scale), cognitive impairment, depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale/Geriatric Depression Scale), malnutrition (Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition), functional limitation (Katz index), falls, physical frailty (Fried), and sarcopenia (European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2).

RESULTS

Inpatients in RESORT (R) (N=1890, 56% females) had a median age of 83.4 years (interquartile range [IQR], 77.6-88.4) and in EMPOWER-GR (E) (N=200, 57% females) of 79.8 years (IQR, 75.0-85.9). Polypharmacy (R, 82.2%; E, 84.0%), multimorbidity (R, 90.4%; E, 85.5%), functional limitation (R, 96.0%; E, 76.5%), and frailty (R, 91.8%; E, 92.2%) were most prevalent. Most inpatients had ≥5 geriatric syndromes at admission in both cohorts (R, 70.0%; E, 72.4%); few inpatients had only 1 (R, 0.4%; E, 1.5%) or no geriatric syndrome (R, 0.2%; E, 0.0%). Geriatric syndromes did not occur in isolation (without other syndromes), except for multimorbidity (R, 1%; E, 5%), functional limitation (R, 3%; E, 2%), falls (R, 0%; E, 4%), and frailty (R, 2%; E, 5%), which occurred in isolation in some inpatients; sarcopenia did not.

CONCLUSIONS

Geriatric syndromes are highly prevalent at admission to geriatric rehabilitation, with a median of 5 co-occurring syndromes. Implications for diagnosis and intervention potential should be further addressed.

Malnutrition screening tool and nutritional screening tool for classification of nutritional risk in patients with cancer upon hospital admission: Comparison of diagnostic performance using Global Leadership Initiative on malnutrition criteria as reference

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Tools for screening of nutrition risk in patients with cancer are usually validated against other screening instruments. Here with the performance of Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) and Nutritional Screening Tool (NUTRISCORE) to identify the risk of malnutrition was assessed. A full nutritional evaluation and diagnosis following criteria from the Global Leadership Initiative of Malnutrition (GLIM) was the reference standard for the classification of malnutrition.

METHODS

Diagnostic test prospective analysis of adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of cancer. MST, NUTRISCORE and nutritional evaluation and diagnosis by GLIM criteria were independently performed within 24 h of admission to a 4th tier hospital in Bogotá, Colombia.

RESULTS

From 439 patients the sensitivity and specificity of MST was 75% and 94% and of NUTRISCORE 45% and 97% respectively. The area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were 0.90 for MST and 0.85 for NUTRISCORE (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

The MST showed a significantly better diagnostic performance over NUTRISCORE for detection of malnutrition risk at admission to hospital of patients with cancer.

Identifying malnutrition risk in hospitalized patients: an analysis of five tools in the light of GLIM criteria

BACKGROUND

The prompt identification of malnutrition among hospitalized patients using the appropriate screening tool is paramount. The objective of our study is to compare the most recommended screening tools concerning the new GLIM criteria for malnutrition in hospitalized patients.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed the data on 1,397 patients receiving inpatient treatment at Bandırma Training and Research Hospital between August 2022 and May 2023 to assess and compare malnutrition in them. Patients who received inpatient treatment in the internal and surgical clinics of Bandırma Training and Research Hospital. In addition to the GLIM criteria, we used nutritional screening and assessment tools such as NRS-2002, MST, GMS, MUST, and SNAQ. The GLIM criteria were considered the gold standard for the evaluation of sensitivity and specificity. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for the five screening tools were also used to assess the ability to distinguish malnutrition-risk patients accurately.

RESULTS

The comparison of the performances of different screening tools in detecting malnutrition demonstrated that while the GMS had the highest sensitivity (87.40%), the NRS-2002 had the highest specificity (91.70%). The area under the Curve (AUC) value indicated that the predictive values of the NRS-2002, MST, GMS, and SNAQ were excellent, and the predictive value of the MUST was good (p < 0.001). While the GLIM criteria in particular appear to be an effective tool for detecting malnutrition in hospitalized individuals, other screening tools are also useful in assessing their malnutrition risk.

CONCLUSIONS

We emphasized MST's alignment with GLIM criteria, underscoring the importance of a multidisciplinary approach for early malnutrition diagnosis. Patients at risk of malnutrition can be diagnosed more quickly and accurately with appropriate screening tools and the effectiveness of treatments can be increased.

The role of the nutrition in malnourished cancer patients: Revisiting an old dilemma

BACKGROUND & AIMS

GLIM definition of malnutrition is recognised all over the world and, when is referring to cancer, it specifies that weight or muscle loss are associated with an inflammatory status. However, the real-world practice shows that GLIM definition cannot encompass all the wide and heterogenous clinical presentations of cancer patients with malnutrition, which involves many other drivers beyond inflammation. Moreover, placing an excessive emphasis on the inflammation can overshadow, in the clinical practice, the role of the nutritional support in malnourished cancer patients. The aim of this paper is not to criticize the rationale of the GLIM definition of cancer cachexia, but to show the complexity and heterogeneity of malnutrition of cancer patients and reasons why nutritional support should deserve such a better consideration among the oncologists.

METHODS

Literature pertinent to pathophysiology of malnutrition of cancer patients is scrutinised and reasons for the frequent underuse of nutritional support are critically analysed.

RESULTS

The appraisal of the literature shows that there are various pathophysiological patterns of malnutrition among cancer patients and inflammatory markers are not universally present in weight-losing cancer patients. Inflammation alone does not account for weight loss in all cancer patients and factors other than inflammation can drive hypophagia and weight loss, and hypophagia appears to be a primary catalyst for weight loss. Furthermore, malnutrition may be the consequence of the presence of several Nutrition Impact Symptoms or of the oncologic therapy. The nutritional support may fail to show benefits in malnourished cancer patients because the golden standard to validate a therapy relies on RCT, but it is ethically impossible to have an unfed control group of malnourished patients. Furthermore, nutritional interventions often fell short of the optimal standards, adherence to treatment plans was often poor, nutritional support was mainly reserved for very advanced patients and the primary endpoints of the studies on nutritional support were sometimes unrealistic.

CONCLUSION

There is a gap between the suggestion of the guidelines which advocate the use of nutritional support to improve the compliance of patients facing intensive oncologic treatments or to prevent an early demise when patients enter a chronic phase of slow nutritional deterioration, and the poor use of nutrition in the real-world practice. This requires a higher level of awareness of the oncologists concerning the reasons for the lacking evidence of efficacy of the nutritional support and an understanding of its potential contribute to improve the outcome of the patients. Finally, this paper calls for a change of the oncologist's approach to the cancer patient, from only focusing on the cure of the tumour to taking care of the patient as a whole.

Evaluation of different screening tools as the first step of the GLIM framework: A cross-sectional study of Chinese cancer patients in an outpatient setting

BACKGROUND

Ambulatory cancer patients are at high risk of malnutrition. Multiple nutrition screening and assessment tools are used in the outpatient setting. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different nutrition screening tools as the first step of the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) framework in Chinese ambulatory cancer patients.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in China. Malnutrition diagnoses made by the GLIM framework using Malnutrition Screening Tool, Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, Nutritional Risk Screening 2002, or short-form of Patient-Gernerated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) as the first step were compared with PG-SGA separately.

RESULTS

Of the 562 included patients, 31.0% were diagnosed with malnutrition (PG-SGA: B + C), and 12.6% were diagnosed with severe malnutrition (PG-SGA: C). As the screening tool in the first step of the GLIM framework, the short form of PG-SGA (PG-SGA SF) with a cutoff value of ≥2 performed best in diagnosing malnutrition, with good sensitivity (SE) (80.5% [73.6-85.9]) and specificity (SP) (98.4% [96.5-99.4]) and substantial accordance (κ = 0.826), whereas PG-SGA SF with a cutoff value of ≥4 performed best in diagnosing severe malnutrition, with fair SE (62.0% [49.6-73.0]), good SP (96.7% [94.6-98.1]) and moderate accordance (κ = 0.629).

CONCLUSION

Using PG-SGA as the standard, the GLIM framework using PG-SGA SF as the screening tool has good accordance with the PG-SGA regardless of severity grading. PG-SGA SF can be used as a valid screening tool in the GLIM framework.

A longitudinal study to determine if all critically ill patients should be considered at nutrition risk or is there a highly accurate screening tool to be adopted?

BACKGROUND

Nutrition risk is prevalent in intensive care unit (ICU) settings and related to poor prognoses. We aimed to evaluate the concurrent and predictive validity of different nutrition risk screening tools in the ICU.

METHODS

Data were collected between 2019 and 2022 in six ICUs (n = 450). Nutrition risk was evaluated by modified Nutrition Risk in Critically ill (mNUTRIC), Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002), Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST), Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST), and Nutritional Risk in Emergency (NRE-2017). Accuracy and agreement of the tools were assessed; logistic regression was used to verify the association between nutrition risk and prolonged ICU stay; Cox regression was used for mortality in the ICU, both with adjustment for confounders.

RESULTS

NRS-2002 ≥5 showed the best accuracy (0.63 [95% CI, 0.58-0.69]) with mNUTRIC, and MST with NRS-2002 ≥5 (0.76 [95% CI, 0.71-0.80]). All tools had a poor/fair agreement with mNUTRIC (k = 0.019-0.268) and moderate agreement with NRS-2002 ≥5 (k = 0.474-0.503). MUST (2.26 [95% CI 1.40-3.63]) and MST (1.69 [95% CI, 1.09-2.60]) predicted death in the ICU, and the NRS-2002 ≥5 (1.56 [95% CI 1.02-2.40]) and mNUTRIC (1.86 [95% CI, 1.26-2.76]) predicted prolonged ICU stay.

CONCLUSION

No nutrition risk screening tool demonstrated a satisfactory concurrent validity; only the MUST and MST predicted ICU mortality and the NRS-2002 ≥5 and mNUTRIC predicted prolonged ICU stay, suggesting that it could be appropriate to adopt the ESPEN recommendation to assess nutrition status in patients with ≥48 h in the ICU.

The Global Malnutrition Composite Score: Impacting malnutrition care

The presence and impact of malnutrition in adult hospitalized patients has been well documented by a significant body of literature. However, current malnutrition care practices often vary widely and frequently lack standardization. The Global Malnutrition Composite Score (GMCS), the first nutrition-related electronic clinical quality measure, is intended to evaluate the quality of malnutrition care provided to inpatient adults. This measure aims to aid in standardizing malnutrition care through performance measurement. The four components of the measure (nutrition screening, nutrition assessment, malnutrition diagnosis, and nutrition care plans) follow the well-established Nutrition Care Process and encourage the use of standardized terminology. Facilities with high-performance scores on the GMCS are likely to experience improved outcomes associated with high-quality malnutrition care.

Higher blood biochemistry-based biological age developed by advanced deep learning techniques is associated with frailty in geriatric rehabilitation inpatients: RESORT

BACKGROUND

Accelerated biological ageing is a major underlying mechanism of frailty development. This study aimed to investigate if the biological age measured by a blood biochemistry-based ageing clock is associated with frailty in geriatric rehabilitation inpatients.

METHODS

Within the REStORing health of acutely unwell adulTs (RESORT) cohort, patients' biological age was measured by an ageing clock based on completed data of 30 routine blood test variables measured at rehabilitation admission. The delta of biological age minus chronological age (years) was calculated. Ordinal logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression were performed to evaluate the association of the delta of ages with frailty assessed by the Clinical Frailty Scale. Effect modification of Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) score was tested.

RESULTS

A total of 1187 geriatric rehabilitation patients were included (median age: 83.4 years, IQR: 77.7-88.5; 57.4 % female). The biochemistry-based biological age was strongly correlated with chronological age (Spearman r = 0.883). After adjustment for age, sex and primary reasons for acute admission, higher biological age (per 1 year higher in delta of ages) was associated with more severe frailty at admission (OR: 1.053, 95 % CI:1.012-1.096) in patients who had a CIRS score of <12 not in patients with a CIRS score >12. The delta of ages was not associated with frailty change from admission to discharge. The specific frailty manifestations as cardiac, hematological, respiratory, renal, and endocrine conditions were associated with higher biological age.

CONCLUSION

Higher biological age was associated with severe frailty in geriatric rehabilitation inpatients with less comorbidity burden.

A Prognostic Model Based on Nutritional Indexes for Patients With Pan-Cancer: A Real-World Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The aim was to identify the nutritional indexes, construct a prognostic model, and develop a nomogram for predicting individual survival probability in pan-cancers.

METHODS

Nutritional indicators, clinicopathological characteristics, and previous major treatment details of the patients were collected. The enrolled patients were randomly divided into training and validation cohorts. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) regression cross-validation was used to determine the variables to include in the cox regression model. The training cohort was used to build the prediction model, and the validation cohort was used to further verify the discrimination, calibration, and clinical effectiveness of the model.

RESULTS

A total of 2020 patients were included. The median OS was 56.50 months (95% CI, 50.36-62.65 months). In the training cohort of 1425 patients, through Lasso regression cross-validation, 13 characteristics were included in the model. Cox proportional hazards model was developed and visualized as a nomogram. The C-indexes of the model for predicting 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year OS were 0.848, 0.826, 0.814, and 0.799 in the training cohort and 0.851, 0.819, 0.814, and 0.801 in the validation cohort. The model showed great calibration in the two cohorts. Patients with a score of less than 274.29 had a better prognosis (training cohort: HR, 6.932; 95% CI, 5.723-8.397; log-rank p < 0.001; validation cohort: HR, 8.429; 95% CI, 6.180-11.497; log-rank p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The prognostic model based on the nutritional indexes of pan-cancer can divide patients into different survival risk groups and performed well in the validation cohort.

Nutritional Support in Malnourished Outpatients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

(1) Background: The evidence for nutritional support in COPD is almost entirely based on ready-to-drink oral nutritional supplements (ONSs). This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of powdered ONSs alongside individualized dietary counseling in the management of malnutrition. (2) Methods: Malnourished outpatients with COPD were randomized to receive either routine care (Group A: counseling + recommended to purchase powdered ONSs) or an enhanced intervention (Group B: counseling + provision of powdered ONSs at no cost to the patient) for 12 weeks. Outcomes of interest were nutritional intake, weight status, and quality of life. (3) Results: A total of 33 outpatients were included, categorized as follows: Group A (n = 21); Group B (n = 12); severely malnourished (n = 9), moderately malnourished (n = 24), mean BMI 18.0 SD 2.5 kg/m2. No differences were observed between groups at baseline or at week 12; however, analysis of the whole cohort (Group A + B) revealed nutrition intervention resulted in significant improvements in protein intake (+25.4 SD 53.4 g/d; p = 0.040), weight (+1.1 SD 2.6 kg; p = 0.032) and quality of life (-4.4 SD 10.0; p = 0.040). Only 41.2% of Group A and 58.3% of Group B reported consuming ONSs at week 12. Adherence to ONSs was associated with weight gain (+1.9 SD 2.5 kg vs. +0.4 SD 2.5 kg; p = 0.098). (4) Conclusions: Nutritional support results in significant improvements in nutrition status and quality of life in malnourished outpatients with COPD. However, improvements are associated with adherence to ONSs, suggesting the type of ONSs and how they are provided are important considerations in clinical practice and future studies.

Current landscape and support for practical initiation of oncological prehabilitation translatable to thyroid cancer: A position paper

Despite a growing body of evidence for the effectiveness of prehabilitation, the uptake of prehabilitation in Europe remains low. Contributing factors range from limited awareness and understanding of prehabilitation to a lack of supporting infrastructure and reimbursement challenges. In this position paper, the authors propose a new comprehensive definition of prehabilitation and identify differentiated thyroid cancer as a type of cancer particularly well-suited for prehabilitation. To support clinicians with the implementation of prehabilitation programs in their clinics, the authors discuss the following practical solutions: a) find the most appropriate prehabilitation program for each patient; b) raise awareness among peers; c) develop evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of prehabilitation; d) expand the interdisciplinary team; e) expand your network and make use of existing assets; f) utilize learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Combined systematic screening for malnutrition and dysphagia in hospitalized older adults: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Dysphagia affects about 40% of patients admitted to acute geriatric wards, as it is closely associated with diseases that rise in prevalence with advancing age, such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, and dementia. Malnutrition is a highly associated predictive factor of dysphagia as well as one of the most common symptoms caused by dysphagia. Thus, the two conditions may exist simultaneously but also influence each other negatively and quickly cause functional decline especially in older adults. The purpose of this review was to determine whether institutions have established a protocol combining screenings for dysphagia and malnutrition on a global scale. If combined screening protocols have been implemented, the respective derived measures will be reported.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted. A systematic database search was carried out in January and February 2024. Studies were included that examined adult hospitalized patients who were systematically screened for dysphagia and malnutrition. The results were managed through the review software tool Covidence. The screening of titles and abstracts was handled independently by two reviewers; conflicts were discussed and resolved by consensus between three authors. This procedure was retained for full-text analysis and extraction. The extraction template was piloted and revised following feedback prior to extraction, which was carried out in February 2024.

RESULTS

A total of 2014 studies were found, 1075 of which were included for abstract screening, 80 for full text screening. In the end, 27 studies were extracted and reported following the reporting guideline PRISMA with the extension for Scoping Reviews.

CONCLUSION

Most of the studies considered the prevalence and association of dysphagia and malnutrition with varying outcomes such as nutritional status, pneumonia, oral nutrition, and swallowing function. Only two studies had implemented multi-professional nutrition teams.

Current Oncology Nutrition Care Practice in Southeast Asia: A Scoping Review

Although evidence-based nutrition care is recommended for patients with cancer, current nutrition care practices provided by nutritionists and dietitians in Southeast Asian countries are not clearly reported. The aim of this scoping review was to describe nutritionists' and dietitians' current oncology nutrition care practice within Southeast Asia by identifying access to dietetic services, tools or strategies used in providing care, and barriers and enablers to implementing nutrition care practices. Five databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Global Health, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Proquest) were searched through structured search strategies, in addition to strategic searching of grey literature. A total of 4261 sources of evidence were retrieved. After full-text screening, 18 studies from Southeast Asian countries met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. The provision and reporting of nutrition care practices provided by nutritionists and dietitians were limited. Access to dietetic services, including nutritional screening tools and reason to be referred, were varied within studies. Barriers and enablers to nutrition care provision were unique and related to each country's specific resources and guidelines. In summary, there was varied reporting of nutrition care practices provided to patients with cancer in Southeast Asia and a lack of clarity on the actual standardized processes. Future research is warranted to further explore the barriers and enablers to providing nutrition care by local nutritionists and dietitians in Southeast Asia.

The potential of machine learning models to identify malnutrition diagnosed by GLIM combined with NRS-2002 in colorectal cancer patients without weight loss information

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The key step of the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) is nutritional risk screening, while the most appropriate screening tool for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients is yet unknown. The GLIM diagnosis relies on weight loss information, and bias or even failure to recall patients' historical weight can cause misestimates of malnutrition. We aimed to compare the suitability of several screening tools in GLIM diagnosis, and establish machine learning (ML) models to predict malnutrition in CRC patients without weight loss information.

METHODS

This multicenter cohort study enrolled 4487 CRC patients. The capability of GLIM diagnoses combined with four screening tools in predicting survival probability was compared by Kaplan-Meier curves, and the most accurate one was selected as the malnutrition reference standard. Participants were randomly assigned to a training cohort (n = 3365) and a validation cohort (n = 1122). Several ML approaches were adopted to establish models for predicting malnutrition without weight loss data. We estimated feature importance and reserved the top 30% of variables for retraining simplified models. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated to assess and compare model performance.

RESULTS

NRS-2002 was the most suitable screening tool for GLIM diagnosis in CRC patients, with the highest hazard ratio (1.59; 95% CI, 1.43-1.77). A total of 2076 (46.3%) patients were malnourished diagnosed by GLIM combined with NRS-2002. The simplified random forest (RF) model outperformed other models with an AUC of 0.830 (95% CI, 0.805-0.854), and accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were 0.775, 0.835 and 0.742, respectively. We deployed an online application based on the simplified RF model to accurately estimate malnutrition probability in CRC patients without weight loss information (https://zzuwtt1998.shinyapps.io/dynnomapp/).

CONCLUSIONS

Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 was the optimal initial nutritional risk screening tool in the GLIM process. The RF model outperformed other models, and an online prediction tool was developed to properly identify patients at high risk of malnutrition.

Validity of nutrition screening tools for risk of malnutrition among hospitalized adult patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUNDS & AIMS

Malnutrition is prevalent among hospitalized patients in developed countries, contributing to negative health outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Timely identification and management of malnutrition are crucial. The lack of a universally accepted definition and standardized diagnostic criteria for malnutrition has led to the development of various screening tools, each with varying validity. This complicates early identification of malnutrition, hindering effective intervention strategies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify the most valid and reliable nutritional screening tool for assessing the risk of malnutrition in hospitalized adults.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted to identify validation studies published from inception to November 2023, in the Pubmed/MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL databases. This systematic review was registered in INPLASY (INPLASY202090028). The risk of bias and quality of included studies were assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies version 2 (QUADAS-2). Meta-analyses were performed for screening tools accuracy using the symmetric hierarchical summary receiver operative characteristics models.

RESULTS

Of the 1646 articles retrieved, 60 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review, and 21 were included in the meta-analysis. A total of 51 malnutrition risk screening tools and 9 reference standards were identified. The meta-analyses assessed four common malnutrition risk screening tools against two reference standards (Subjective Global Assessment [SGA] and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism [ESPEN] criteria). The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) vs SGA had a sensitivity (95% Confidence Interval) of 0.84 (0.73-0.91), and specificity of 0.85 (0.75-0.91). The MUST vs ESPEN had a sensitivity of 0.97 (0.53-0.99) and specificity of 0.80 (0.50-0.94). The Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) vs SGA had a sensitivity of 0.81 (0.67-0.90) and specificity of 0.79 (0.72-0.74). The Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) vs ESPEN had a sensitivity of 0.99 (0.41-0.99) and specificity of 0.60 (0.45-0.73). The Nutrition Universal Screening Tool-2002 (NRS-2002) vs SGA had a sensitivity of 0.76 (0.58-0.87) and specificity of 0.86 (0.76-0.93).

CONCLUSIONS

The MUST demonstrated high accuracy in detecting malnutrition risk in hospitalized adults. However, the quality of the studies included varied greatly, possibly introducing bias in the results. Future research should compare tools within a specific patient population using a valid and universal gold standard to ensure improved patient care and outcomes.

Incidence and outcomes of in-hospital nutritional decline: A prospective observational cohort study in adult patients

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Hospital malnutrition is associated with higher healthcare costs and worse outcomes. Only a few prospective studies have evaluated trends in nutritional status during an acute stay, but these studies were limited by the short timeframe between nutrition assessments. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in nutritional status, incidence of hospital-acquired malnutrition (HAM), and the associated risk factors and outcomes in acute adult patients admitted for >14 days.

METHODS

A prospective observational cohort study was conducted in two medical and two surgical wards in a tertiary hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Nutrition assessments were performed using the Subjective Global Assessment at baseline (day eight) and weekly until discharge. Nutritional decline was defined as a change from well-nourished to moderate/severe malnutrition (HAM) or from moderate to severe malnutrition (further decline) >14 days after admission.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty patients were included in this study (58.5% male; median age 67.0 years (IQR 24.4), median length of stay 23.5 days (IQR 14)). At baseline, 70.8% (92/130) of patients were well-nourished. Nutritional decline occurred in 23.8% (31/130), with 28.3% (26/92) experiencing HAM. Of the patients with moderate malnutrition on admission (n = 30), 16% (5/30) continued to decline to severe malnutrition. Improvement in nutritional status from moderate and severe malnutrition to well-nourished was 18.4% (7/38). Not being prescribed the correct nutrition care plan within the first week of admission was an independent predictor of in-hospital nutritional decline or remaining malnourished (OR 2.3 (95% CI 1.0-5.1), p = 0.039). In-hospital nutritional decline was significantly associated with other hospital-acquired complications (OR 3.07 (95% CI 1.1-8.9), p = 0.04) and longer length of stay (HR 0.63 (95% CI 0.4-0.9), p = 0.044).

CONCLUSION

This study found a high rate of nutritional decline in acute patients, highlighting the importance of repeated nutrition screening and assessments during hospital admission and proactive interdisciplinary nutrition care to treat or prevent further nutritional decline.

Prognostic Nutritional Index and Instant Nutritional Assessement Are Associated with Clinical Outcomes in a Geriatric Cohort of Acutely Inpatients

BACKGROUND

Among elderly inpatients, malnutrition is one of the most important predictive factors affecting length of stay (LOS), mortality, and risk of re-hospitalization.

METHODS

We conducted an observational, retrospective study on a cohort of 2206 acutely inpatients. Serum albumin and lymphocytes were evaluated. Instant Nutritional Assessment (INA) and the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) were calculated to predict in-hospital mortality, LOS, and risk of rehospitalization.

RESULTS

An inverse relationship between LOS, serum albumin, and PNI were found. Deceased patients had lower albumin levels, lower PNI values, and third- and fourth-degree INA scores. An accurate predictor of mortality was PNI (AUC = 0.785) after ROC curve analysis; both lower PNI values (HR = 3.56) and third- and fourth-degree INA scores (HR = 3.12) could be independent risk factors for mortality during hospitalization after Cox regression analysis. Moreover, among 309 subjects with a lower PNI value or third- and fourth-class INA, hospitalization was re-hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONS

PNI and INA are two simple and quick-to-calculate tools that can help in classifying the condition of hospitalized elderly patients also based on their nutritional status, or in assessing their mortality risk. A poor nutritional status at the time of discharge may represent an important risk factor for rehospitalization in the following thirty days. This study confirms the importance of evaluating nutritional status at the time of hospitalization, especially in older patients. This study also confirms the importance for adequate training of doctors and nurses regarding the importance of maintaining a good nutritional status as an integral part of the therapeutic process of hospitalization in acute departments.

Is self-screening for 'at risk of malnutrition' feasible in a home setting?

INTRODUCTION

Despite malnutrition being established as a well-known risk for postoperative complications, the lack of screening for nutritional risk remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to investigate whether self-screening for nutritional risk prior to surgery is feasible in a home setting and if it will increase number of patients screened for nutritional risk, and secondly, to compare their screening results with the "in-hospital assessments" conducted by healthcare professionals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a prospective study involving patients from six randomly selected surgical wards at two Norwegian hospitals as a part of the "Feasibility study of implementing the surgical Patient Safety Checklist the (PASC)". This checklist included a self-reported screening tool based on the Nutritional Risk Screening tool (NRS 2002) to identify "at risk of malnutrition" in patients that will undergo surgery the next 3 months or less. The original screening tool (NRS 2002) was used as a standard routine to identify "at risk of malnutrition" by healthcare professionals at hospital. The interrater reliability between these results was investigated using Fleiss multi rater Kappa with overall agreement and reported with Landis and Koch's grading system (poor, slight, fair, moderate, substantial, and almost perfect).

RESULTS

Out of 215 surgical patients in the home setting, 164 (76.7%) patients completed the self-reported screening tool. A total of 123 (57.2%) patients were screened in-hospital, of whom 96 (44.7%) prior to surgery and 96 (44.7%) were screened both at hospital (pre- and post-surgery) and at home. Self-screening at home improved malnutrition screening participation by 71.9% compared to hospital screening prior to surgery (165 (76.7%) and 96 (44.7%), respectively) and by 34.1% compared to pre- and postoperative in-hospital screening, 165 (76.7%) and 123 (57.2%), respectively). The degree of agreement between patients identified to be "at risk of malnutrition" by the self-reported screening tool and healthcare professionals was poor (κ = - 0.04 (95% CI: -0.24, 0.16), however, the degrees of agreement between the patients and healthcare professionals answers to the initial NRS 2002 questions "low BMI", "weight loss", and "reduced food intake" were almost perfect (κ = 1.00 (95% CI: 0,82, 1.18)), moderate (κ = 0.55 (95% CI: 0.34, 0.75)), and slight (κ = 0.08 (95% CI: - 0.10, 0.25) respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Three out of four patients completed the self-screening form and the preoperative screening rate improved with 70%. Preoperatively self-screening in a home setting may be a feasible method to increase the number of elective surgical patients screened for risk of malnutrition.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT03105713. https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03105713.

Patient-Led, Technology-Assisted Malnutrition Risk Screening in Hospital: A Feasibility Study

Malnutrition risk screening is crucial to identify at-risk patients in hospitals; however, screening rates can be suboptimal. This study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and potential cost-effectiveness of patient-led, technology-assisted malnutrition risk screening. A prospective multi-methods study was conducted in a 750-bed public hospital in Australia. Patients were recruited from seven wards and asked to complete an electronic version of the Malnutrition Screening Tool (e-MST) on bedside computer screens. Data were collected on feasibility, acceptability, and cost. Feasibility data were compared to pre-determined criteria on recruitment (≥50% recruitment rate) and e-MST completion (≥75% completion rate). Quantitative acceptability (survey) data were analyzed descriptively. Patient interview data were analyzed thematically. The economic evaluation was from the perspective of the health service using a decision tree analytic model. Both feasibility criteria were met; the recruitment rate was 78% and all 121 participants (52% male, median age 59 [IQR 48-69] years) completed the e-MST. Patient acceptability was high. Patient-led e-MST was modeled to save $3.23 AUD per patient and yield 6.5 more true malnutrition cases (per 121 patients) with an incremental cost saving per additional malnutrition case of 0.50 AUD. Patient-led, technology-assisted malnutrition risk screening was found to be feasible, acceptable to patients, and cost-effective (higher malnutrition yield and less costly) compared to current practice at this hospital.

How to detect non-institutionalized older patients at risk of malnutrition during their hospitalization? Comparison of 8 screening tools for malnutrition or nutritional risk

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of malnutrition is high among the elderly population. Hospital admission is a window of opportunity for its detection.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the concordance of different nutritional scales in hospitalized patients.

METHODS

Prospective study in non-institutionalized patients over 65 years of age admitted to an internal medicine department. Five malnutrition screening surveys (MNA, MST, MUST, NRS-2000 and CONUT) and three nutritional risk screening surveys (SCREEN 3, 8 and 14) were compared. As gold standard we use the Global Malnutrition Leadership Initiative for Malnutrition (GLIM) definition of malnutrition.

RESULTS

Eighty-five patients (37% female, median age 83 years) were included. Forty-eight percent (95% CI 38-59%) of patients were classified as malnourished according to GLIM criteria. The SCREEN 3 scale was the most sensitive (93%; 95% CI 87-98) and MUST the most specific (91%; CI 85-99). The most effective scale for excluding suspected malnutrition was SCREEN 3 (LR- 0.17; 95% CI 0.05-0.53) and the best for confirming it was MST (LR+ 7.08; 95% CI 3.06-16.39). Concordance between the different scales was low or very low with kappa indices between 0.082 and 0.465.

CONCLUSIONS

A comprehensive approach is needed to detect malnutrition in hospitalized patients. More sensitive scales are more useful in initial screening. Nutritional risk tools could be effective at this stage. In a second step, malnutrition should be confirmed according to established criteria such as GLIM.

Malnutrition prevalence according to GLIM and its feasibility in geriatric patients: a prospective cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

In 2019, the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) suggested a 2-step diagnostic format for malnutrition including screening and diagnosis. Prospective validation and feasibility studies, using the complete set of the five GLIM criteria, are needed. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of malnutrition, and investigate how the prevalence varied with mode of screening. Furthermore, we assessed the feasibility of GLIM in geriatric patients.

METHODS

Consecutive patients from two acute geriatric wards were included. For screening risk of malnutrition, the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) or Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) were used. In accordance with GLIM, a combination of phenotypic and etiologic criteria were required for the diagnosis of malnutrition. Feasibility was determined based on % data completeness, and above 80% completeness was considered feasible.

RESULTS

One hundred patients (mean age 82 years, 58% women) were included. After screening with MNA-SF malnutrition was confirmed by GLIM in 51%, as compared with 35% after screening with MST (p = 0.039). Corresponding prevalence was 58% with no prior screening. Using hand grip strength as a supportive measure for reduced muscle mass, 69% of the patients were malnourished. Feasibility varied between 70 and 100% for the different GLIM criteria, with calf circumference as a proxy for reduced muscle mass having the lowest feasibility.

CONCLUSION

In acute geriatric patients, the prevalence of malnutrition according to GLIM varied depending on the screening tool used. In this setting, GLIM appears feasible, besides for the criterion of reduced muscle mass.

Comparison of Goal Achievement during an Early, Intensive Nutrition Intervention Delivered to People with Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer by Telephone Compared with Mobile Application

Objective

This study is aimed at exploring whether the mode of nutrition intervention delivery affected participant goal achievement in a three-arm randomised controlled trial of early and intensive nutrition intervention delivered to upper gastrointestinal cancer patients.

Methods

Newly diagnosed upper gastrointestinal cancer patients were recruited from four tertiary hospitals in Melbourne, Australia. Participants in the intervention groups received a regular nutrition intervention for 18 weeks from an experienced dietitian via telephone or mobile application (app) using behaviour change techniques to assist in goal achievement. Univariate and multiple regression models using STATA determined goal achievement, dose, and frequency of contact between groups. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The telephone group (n = 38) had 1.99 times greater frequency of contact with the research dietitian (95% CI: 1.67 to 2.36, p < 0.001) and 2.37 times higher frequency of goal achievement (95% CI: 1.1 to 5.11, p = 0.03) compared with the mobile app group (n = 36). The higher dose (RR 0.03) of intervention and more behaviour change techniques employed in the telephone group compared with the mobile app group increased participant goal achievement (95% CI: 0.01 to 0.04, p < 0.001). Discussion. Telephone nutrition intervention delivery led to a higher frequency of goal achievement compared to the mobile app intervention. There was also a higher number of behaviour change techniques employed which may have facilitated the greater goal achievement. Mobile app-based delivery may have poorer acceptance in this population with high levels of withdrawal. Practice Implications. We need to ensure that specifically designed technologies for our target populations are fit for purpose, efficacious, and acceptable to both patients and healthcare providers. This trial is registered with ACTRN12617000152325.

Associations between Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index, bone mineral density and body composition in type 2 diabetes patients

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a fast-growing issue in public health, is one of the most common chronic metabolic disorders in older individuals. Osteoporosis and sarcopenia are highly prevalent in T2DM patients and may result in fractures and disabilities. In people with T2DM, the association between nutrition, sarcopenia, and osteoporosis has rarely been explored.

AIM

To evaluate the connections among nutrition, bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition in patients with T2DM.

METHODS

We enrolled 689 patients with T2DM for this cross-sectional study. All patients underwent dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) examination and were categorized according to baseline Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) values calculated from serum albumin levels and body weight. The GNRI was used to evaluate nutritional status, and DXA was used to investigate BMD and body composition. Multivariate forward linear regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with BMD and skeletal muscle mass index.

RESULTS

Of the total patients, 394 were men and 295 were women. Compared with patients in tertile 1, those in tertile 3 who had a high GNRI tended to be younger and had lower HbA1c, higher BMD at all bone sites, and higher appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI). These important trends persisted even when the patients were divided into younger and older subgroups. The GNRI was positively related to ASMI (men: r = 0.644, P < 0.001; women: r = 0.649, P < 0.001), total body fat (men: r = 0.453, P < 0.001; women: r = 0.557, P < 0.001), BMD at all bone sites, lumbar spine (L1-L4) BMD (men: r = 0.110, P = 0.029; women: r = 0.256, P < 0.001), FN-BMD (men: r = 0.293, P < 0.001; women: r = 0.273, P < 0.001), and hip BMD (men: r = 0.358, P < 0.001; women: r = 0.377, P < 0.001). After adjustment for other clinical parameters, the GNRI was still significantly associated with BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Additionally, a low lean mass index and higher β-collagen special sequence were associated with low BMD at all bone sites. Age was negatively correlated with ASMI, whereas weight was positively correlated with ASMI.

CONCLUSION

Poor nutrition, as indicated by a low GNRI, was associated with low levels of ASMI and BMD at all bone sites in T2DM patients. Using the GNRI to evaluate nutritional status and using DXA to investigate body composition in patients with T2DM is of value in assessing bone health and physical performance.

Butyrylcholinesterase activity in patients with postoperative delirium after cardiothoracic surgery or percutaneous valve replacement- an observational interdisciplinary cohort study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Postoperative delirium is a frequent and severe complication after cardiac surgery. Activity of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) has been discussed controversially regarding a possible role in its development. This study aimed to investigate the relevance of BChE activity as a biomarker for postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery or percutaneous valve replacement.

METHODS

A total of 237 patients who received elective cardiothoracic surgery or percutaneous valve replacement at a tertiary care centre were admitted preoperatively. These patients were tested with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment investigating cognitive deficits, and assessed for postoperative delirium twice daily for three days via the 3D-CAM or the CAM-ICU, depending on their level of consciousness. BChE activity was measured at three defined time points before and after surgery.

RESULTS

Postoperative delirium occurred in 39.7% of patients (n = 94). Univariate analysis showed an association of pre- and postoperative BChE activity with its occurrence (p = 0.037, p = 0.001). There was no association of postoperative delirium and the decline in BChE activity (pre- to postoperative, p = 0.327). Multivariable analysis including either preoperative or postoperative BChE activity as well as age, MoCA, type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, type of surgery and intraoperative administration of red-cell concentrates was performed. Neither preoperative nor postoperative BChE activity was independently associated with the occurrence of postoperative delirium (p = 0.086, p = 0.484). Preoperative BChE activity was lower in older patients (B = -12.38 (95% CI: -21.94 to -2.83), p = 0.011), and in those with a history of stroke (B = -516.173 (95% CI: -893.927 to -138.420), p = 0.008) or alcohol abuse (B = -451.47 (95% CI: -868.38 to -34.55), p = 0.034). Lower postoperative BChE activity was independently associated with longer procedures (B = -461.90 (95% CI: -166.34 to -757.46), p = 0.002), use of cardiopulmonary bypass (B = -262.04 (95% CI: -485.68 to -38.39), p = 0.022), the number of administered red cell-concentrates (B = -40.99 (95% CI: -67.86 to -14.12), p = 0.003) and older age (B = -9.35 (95% CI: -16.04 to -2.66), p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

BChE activity is not independently associated with the occurrence of postoperative delirium. Preoperative BChE values are related to patients' morbidity and vulnerability, while postoperative activities reflect the severity, length and complications of surgery.

Predictive validity of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics/American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition indicators to diagnose malnutrition tool in hospitalized adults: a cohort study

BACKGROUND

The lack of a widely accepted, broadly validated tool for diagnosing malnutrition in hospitalized patients limits the ability to assess the integral role of nutrition as an input and outcome of health, disease, and treatment.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the predictive validity of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics/American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) indicators to diagnose malnutrition (AAIM) tool and determine if it can be simplified.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was conducted from August 2019 to September 2022 with 32 hospitals in United States. At baseline, 290 adult patients were evaluated for a diagnosis of malnutrition using the AAIM tool, which assesses weight loss, inadequate energy intake, subcutaneous fat and muscle loss, edema, and hand grip strength. Healthcare outcomes were extracted from the medical record: composite incidence of emergency department (ED) visits and hospital readmissions within 90 d postdischarge; length of hospital stay (LOS); and Medicare Severity Disease Related Group (MS-DRG) relative weight (i.e., healthcare resource utilization). We used multilevel, multivariable negative binomial or generalized linear regression models to evaluate relationships between malnutrition diagnosis and healthcare outcomes.

RESULTS

After adjusting for disease severity and acuity and sociodemographic characteristics, individuals diagnosed with severe malnutrition had a higher incidence rate of ED visits and hospital readmissions (incidence rate ratio: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.14, 3.13; P = 0.01), and individuals diagnosed with moderate malnutrition had a 25.2% longer LOS (95% CI: 2.0%, 53.7%; P = 0.03) and 15.1% greater healthcare resource utilization (95% CI: 1.6%, 31.9%; P = 0.03) compared with individuals with no malnutrition diagnosis. Observed relationships remained consistent when only considering malnutrition diagnoses supported by at least 2 of these indicators: weight loss, subcutaneous fat loss, muscle wasting, and inadequate energy intake.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this multihospital study confirm the predictive validity of the original or simplified AAIM tool and support its routine use for hospitalized adult patients. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03928548 (https://classic.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov/ct2/show/NCT03928548).

Dietetics student contribution to addressing malnutrition in residential aged care facilities

AIMS

To test a model of malnutrition screening and assessment conducted by dietetics students on placement in residential aged care facilities. The secondary aim was to identify possible facilitators and barriers to the implementation of the model.

METHOD

The type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial study design and reporting outcomes were developed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. An innovative placement model was developed, where students on voluntary placement visited three residential aged care facilities to identify residents at risk of malnutrition using currently available screening tools for older people. Students completed malnutrition assessments for all residents using the subjective global assessment tool.

RESULTS

Thirty-two students participated; 31 completed all three sessions, with malnutrition screening completed for 207 residents and malnutrition assessment for 187 residents (July and September 2022). Based on the subjective global assessment, 31% (n = 57) of residents were mildly/moderately malnourished, and 3% (n = 5) were severely malnourished. The Innovation Domain of the Framework was the most important consideration before implementation.

CONCLUSION

Whilst previous research documented student learning opportunities in residential aged care facilities, this study provides the first available evidence of the direct contribution students can make to the health of aged care residents through malnutrition screening and assessment. The model enables students to conduct malnutrition screening and assessment feasibly and efficiently in facilities that do not routinely collate and act on these data. With a limited nursing aged care workforce to undertake this vital task, the potential role of student dietitians to fulfil this role must be considered.

Changes in Bacterial Gut Composition in Parkinson's Disease and Their Metabolic Contribution to Disease Development: A Gut Community Reconstruction Approach

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease with the major symptoms comprising loss of movement coordination (motor dysfunction) and non-motor dysfunction, including gastrointestinal symptoms. Alterations in the gut microbiota composition have been reported in PD patients vs. controls. However, it is still unclear how these compositional changes contribute to disease etiology and progression. Furthermore, most of the available studies have focused on European, Asian, and North American cohorts, but the microbiomes of PD patients in Latin America have not been characterized. To address this problem, we obtained fecal samples from Colombian participants (n = 25 controls, n = 25 PD idiopathic cases) to characterize the taxonomical community changes during disease via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. An analysis of differential composition, diversity, and personalized computational modeling was carried out, given the fecal bacterial composition and diet of each participant. We found three metabolites that differed in dietary habits between PD patients and controls: carbohydrates, trans fatty acids, and potassium. We identified six genera that changed significantly in their relative abundance between PD patients and controls, belonging to the families Lachnospiraceae, Lactobacillaceae, Verrucomicrobioaceae, Peptostreptococcaceae, and Streptococcaceae. Furthermore, personalized metabolic modeling of the gut microbiome revealed changes in the predicted production of seven metabolites (Indole, tryptophan, fructose, phenylacetic acid, myristic acid, 3-Methyl-2-oxovaleric acid, and N-Acetylneuraminic acid). These metabolites are associated with the metabolism of aromatic amino acids and their consumption in the diet. Therefore, this research suggests that each individual's diet and intestinal composition could affect host metabolism. Furthermore, these findings open the door to the study of microbiome-host interactions and allow us to contribute to personalized medicine.

Evaluation of nutrition components within prehabilitation programs in gastrointestinal cancers: Is prehab worth the hype?

Nutrition impact symptoms and unintended weight loss are prevalent in patients with gastrointestinal cancers, especially during the perioperative period or while prescribed anticancer treatments. Because patients may experience loss of lean body mass and malnutrition, aggressive nutrition intervention prior to surgery should be considered. Cancer prehabilitation is a process spanning the care continuum from diagnosis to the time of surgery encompassing nutrition support, psychological and physical assessment, and targeted interventions. Thirteen studies published between 2013 and 2023 were included in this review and evaluated prehabilitation programs' impact on postoperative outcomes in patients with gastrointestinal cancers. Literature continues to emerge supporting the integration of nutrition into a prehabilitation program because of its potential to contribute to improved clinical outcomes, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness, but considerable variation exists with respect to the specific recommendations provided by current prehabilitation programs.

Access to nutrition services and information after active cancer treatment: a mixed methods study

PURPOSE

Evidence-based guidelines for cancer strongly support nutrition and dietetic services for people with cancer and carers in order to improve patient-centred and health service outcomes. Access to nutrition services and information after completing active cancer treatment is relatively unknown in Australia. This study aimed to determine the availability, accessibility, barriers, and preferences to nutrition services and information after cancer treatment in Australia.

METHODS

Utilising mixed methods, people with cancer and carers completed a cross-sectional survey, and a sub-group of participants completed a semi-structured interview. The survey evaluated the availability of nutrition services, nutrition information searched, barriers, and preferences for nutrition information. Semi-structured interviews explored participant experience with nutrition services and information.

RESULTS

The 149 participants (including 10 carers) were predominately male and with a diagnosis of prostate cancer (63%). Overall, 23% of participants received nutrition information from a dietitian after cancer treatment. Participants (78%) indicated that accessing a nutrition specialist is the main barrier to receiving nutrition care after treatment. Most searched nutrition information on the internet (55%) and found the information easy to understand (89%), but conflicting (52%). Thematic analysis of interviews in fourteen cancer patients revealed three key themes pertaining to (1) preferred referral and timing of nutrition services, (2) lack of confidence in publicly available nutrition information, and (3) streamlining nutrition services for greater access.

CONCLUSION

Access to a dietitian and evidence-based information after cancer treatment is limited for people with cancer and carers in Australia, despite the high interest and need for ongoing nutrition care.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Models of care evaluating the provision of appropriate nutrition care and information provision after cancer treatment are needed to address this unmet survivorship need.

Diagnostic test accuracy of preoperative nutritional screening tools in adults for malnutrition: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Good nutritional screening tests can triage malnourished patients for further assessment and management by dietitians before surgery to reduce the risk of postoperative complications. The authors assessed the diagnostic test accuracy of common nutritional screening tools for preoperative malnutrition in adults undergoing surgery and determined which test had the highest accuracy.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched for relevant titles with no language restriction from inception till 1 January 2023. Studies reporting on the diagnostic test accuracy of preoperative malnutrition in adults using one or more of the following index nutritional screening tools were included: Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST), Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST), Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), short-form Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF), Nutritional Risk Index (NRI), Nutrition Risk Screening Tool 2002 (NRS-2002), and Preoperative Nutrition Screening (PONS). The reference standard was the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) before surgery. Random-effects bivariate binomial model meta-analyses, meta-regressions, and a network meta-analysis were used to estimate the pooled and relative sensitivities and specificities.

RESULTS

Of the 16 included studies (5695 participants with an 11 957 index and 11 957 SGA tests), all were conducted after hospital admission before surgery. Eleven studies ( n =3896) were at high risk of bias using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool due to a lack of blinded assessments. MUST had the highest overall test accuracy performance (sensitivity 86%, 95% CI: 75-93%; specificity 89%, 95% CI: 83-93%). Network meta-analysis showed NRI had similar relative sensitivity (0.93, 95% CI: 0.77-1.13) but lower relative specificity (0.75, 95% CI: 0.61-0.92) than MUST.

CONCLUSIONS

Of all easy-to-use tests applicable at the bedside, MUST had the highest test accuracy performance for screening preoperative malnutrition. However, its predictive accuracy is likely insufficient to justify the application of nutritional optimization interventions without additional assessments.

The Updated Global Malnutrition Composite Score Clinical Quality Measure: Its Relevance to Improving Inpatient Clinical Outcomes and Health Equity

Quality improvement has existed in health care for centuries with a dramatic transformation over time, largely motivated by the academic health quality movement. Throughout this evolution, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have been at the forefront of the development and provision of quality measures for health care in a variety of settings, including acute care. Quality initiatives aid in the evaluation of patient care to encourage quality improvement efforts, determine pay-for-performance rates, and help patients and consumers evaluate their care providers. The addition of the Global Malnutrition Composite Score as an electronic Clinical Quality Measure in 2022 highlights the key role nutrition plays in outcomes and quality of hospitalized patients. With this, credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners lie front and center for the development of quality improvement processes to help promote high quality standards of nutrition care, improve length of stay, and reduce health care costs and readmissions while addressing malnutrition, health equity, and nutrition care as a human right. As the Global Malnutrition Composite Score steward, it is the obligation of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Commission on Dietetic Registration to promote the measure and support credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners in advocating for the implementation of this measure. Therefore, the purpose of this practice update is to provide necessary information to credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners and other health care leaders related to the history and implementation of the Global Malnutrition Composite Score, along with relevant updates to the measure and practice implications.

Experiences of healthcare practitioners providing nutrition care to people with cancer in New Zealand: A qualitative study

Aim: To explore the perspectives and experiences of healthcare practitioners in providing nutrition care to people with cancer in New Zealand. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 New Zealand healthcare professionals (HCPs) practicing in specialist secondary and tertiary cancer care (both public and private) who had previously completed an online survey about nutrition in cancer care. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis was undertaken. Results: Participants identified nutrition as important in cancer care, from diagnosis to survivorship, in order to maximise recovery and ongoing health. While participants reported that the best person to provide high-quality individualised nutrition care is a dietitian, other HCPs also have a role in nutrition care. Limited nutrition care is currently available, especially for those in rural areas, which impacts health and equity in cancer care. Participants identified a need for increased dietitian capacity in the workforce as well as a need for nutrition resources that were accessible and appropriate. Conclusion: The perspective of participants was that more must be done to provide nutrition care as part of cancer care in New Zealand to improve health and wellbeing among people with cancer.

Multidisciplinary prehabilitation to improve frailty and functional capacity in high-risk elective surgical patients: a retrospective pilot study

BACKGROUND

Frailty is associated with worse outcomes and higher healthcare costs. The long waiting time for surgery is a potential 'teachable' moment. We examined the feasibility and safety of a pilot prehabilitation programme on high-risk frail patients undergoing major elective surgery.

METHODS

A single-centre, retrospective pilot study (Dec 2020-Nov 2021) on a one-stop prehabilitation programme (structured exercise training, nutritional counselling/therapy, and psychological support) in collaboration with geriatricians and allied health professionals. At least 4 weeks before surgery, patients at high risk of frailty or malnutrition, or undergoing major hepatectomy, esophagectomy, pancreaticoduodenectomy, or radical cystectomy, were referred for prehabilitation (2-3 sessions/week). The primary outcomes were the feasibility and safety of prehabilitation. The secondary outcomes were changes in functional, emotional, and nutritional status and days alive and at home within 30 days after surgery (DAH30) associated with prehabilitation.

RESULTS

Over a 12-month period, 72 out of 111 patients (64.9%) from the Perioperative Medicine Clinic were eligible for prehabilitation, of which 54 (75%) were recruited. The mean (standard deviation) age was 71.9 (6.9) years. The adherence rate to 3 weeks of prehabilitation was high in 52 (96.3%) participants. Prehabilitation improved exercise capacity (P = 0.08), enhanced some functional mobility measures (P = 0.02), and increased nutritional energy (P = 0.04) and protein intakes (P < 0.01). However, prehabilitation-related changes in muscle strength, cognitive function, and emotional resilience were minimal. The median (interquatile range) DAH30 was 19 (14-23) days. No adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

This outpatient-based, one-stop multidisciplinary prehabilitation programme was feasible, safe, and improved several measures of patient's physiological reserve and functional capacity.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT05668221.

Geriatric nutritional risk index and adverse medical outcomes among Egyptian patients admitted to a geriatric hospital: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Elderly are one of the most heterogeneous and vulnerable groups who have a higher risk of nutritional problems. Malnutrition is prevalent among hospitalized elderly but underdiagnosed and almost undistinguishable from the changes in the aging process. The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is a tool created to predict nutrition-related complications in hospitalized patients. This study aims to measure the prevalence of nutritional risk using the GNRI among hospitalized elderly Egyptian inpatients and to determine the association between the GNRI and selected adverse clinical outcomes.

METHODS

A hospital-based prospective cohort study was conducted among 334 elderly patients admitted to a tertiary specialized geriatric university hospital in Cairo, Egypt from August 2021 to June 2022. Within 48 hours after hospital admission, socio-demographic characteristics, blood biomarkers, anthropometric measurements, and nutritional risk assessment by the GNRI score were obtained. Patients were divided into three groups based on their GNRI: high, low, and no nutritional risk (GNRI<92, 92-98, and >98) respectively. Patients were followed up for the occurrence of adverse outcomes during hospital stay (bed sores, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), hospital Length of Stay (LOS), and hospital mortality) and three months after discharge (non-improvement medical status, appearance of new medical conditions, hospital readmission and 90-day mortality). Multivariable regression and survival analysis were conducted.

RESULTS

The prevalence of high-nutritional risk was 45.5% (95% CI, 40%-51%). Patients with high risk had significantly longer LOS than those with no risk. The high-nutritional risk was significantly associated with the development of bed sores (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 4.89; 95% CI, 1.37-17.45), HAIs (AOR: 3.18; 95% CI, 1.48-6.83), and hospital mortality (AOR: 4.41; 95% CI, 1.04-18.59). The overall survival rate was significantly lower among patients with high-nutritional risk compared to those with no risk.

CONCLUSION

GNRI is a simple and easily applicable objective nutritional screening tool with high prognostic value in this Egyptian sample of patients. The findings of this study signal the initiation of the application of this tool to all geriatric hospitals in Egypt.

Prevalence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of vitamin C deficiency in adult hospitalized patients in high-income countries: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Assessment for vitamin C deficiency (VCD) is rarely undertaken in an acute hospital setting in high-income countries. However, with growing interest in VCD in community settings, there is emerging evidence investigating the prevalence and impact of VCD during hospitalization.

OBJECTIVES

In this scoping review, the prevalence of VCD in adult hospitalized patients is explored, patient characteristics are described, and risk factors and clinical outcomes associated with VCD are identified.

METHODS

A systematic scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR framework. The Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Scopus, CINAHL Plus, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched for interventional, comparative, and case-series studies that met eligibility criteria, including adult hospital inpatients in high-income countries, as defined by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, that reported VCD prevalence using World Health Organization reference standards. These standards define VCD deficiency as plasma or serum vitamin C level <11.4 µmol/L, wholeblood level <17 µmol/L, or leukocytes <57 nmol/108 cells.

RESULTS

Twenty-three articles were included, representing 22 studies. The cumulative prevalence of VCD was 27.7% (n = 2494; 95% confidence interval [CI], 21.3-34.0). High prevalence of VCD was observed in patients with severe acute illness and poor nutritional status. Scurvy was present in 48% to 62% of patients with VCD assessed in 2 studies (n = 71). Being retired (P = 0.015) and using excessive amounts of alcohol and tobacco (P = 0.0003) were independent risk factors for VCD (n = 184). Age was not conclusively associated with VCD (n = 631). Two studies examined nutrition associations (n = 309); results were inconsistent. Clinical outcomes for VCD included increased risk of frailty (adjusted odds ratio, 4.3; 95%CI, 1.33-13.86; P = 0.015) and cognitive impairment (adjusted odds ratio, 2.93; 95%CI, 1.05-8.19, P = 0.031) (n = 160).

CONCLUSIONS

VCD is a nutritional challenge facing the healthcare systems of high-income countries. Research focused on early identification and treatment of patients with VCD is warranted.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

Open Science Framework ( https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/AJGHX ).