The Prevalence of Vitamin D Insufficiency and Deficiency and Their Relationship with Bone Mineral Density and Fracture Risk in Adults Receiving Long-Term Home Parenteral Nutrition

Micronutrient supplementation in patients with malabsorptive conditions

Patients with malabsorptive conditions can develop micronutrient deficiencies, even if they receive vitamins, minerals, or trace elements through their enteral or parenteral nutrition. Additionally, clinicians have faced challenges with micronutrient supplementation during parenteral product shortages and when transitioning patients from parenteral to enteral/oral nutrition. Evaluating micronutrient deficiencies through laboratory markers has various limitations, including that many are acute phase reactants, may not reflect storage status, or may not be readily available in clinical practice. Furthermore, clinicians can become overwhelmed with the variety of vitamin and mineral products available, the differences in dosages and ingredients in these products, and lastly, the inherent challenges associated with an impaired gastrointestinal tract. The current review will discuss some challenges clinicians may encounter in clinical practice during the evaluation, assessment, and prescription of micronutrient supplementation in patients with malabsorptive conditions.

A scoping review of parenteral requirements (macronutrients, fluid, electrolytes and micronutrients) in adults with chronic intestinal failure receiving home parenteral nutrition

INTRODUCTION

Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) prescriptions should be individualised in adults with chronic intestinal failure (IF). The aims of the review were to explore HPN requirements and available guidelines and to determine whether adults (≥ 18 years) receive recommended parenteral nutrient doses.

METHODS

Online databases searches identified empirical evidence (excluding case-reports), reviews and guidelines (Published 2006-2024 in English language). Additional reference lists were hand-searched. Older studies, cited in national guidelines were highlighted to map evidence source. Two reviewers screened 1660 articles independently, with 98 full articles assessed and 78 articles included (of which 35 were clinical studies). Citation tracking identified 12 older studies.

RESULTS

A lack of evidence was found assessing parenteral macronutrient (amounts and ratios to meet energy needs), fluid and electrolyte requirements. For micronutrients, 20 case series reported serum levels as biomarkers of adequacy (36 individual micronutrient levels reported). Studies reported levels below (27 out of 33) and above (24 out of 26) reference ranges for single micronutrients, with associated factors explored in 11 studies. Guidelines stated recommended parenteral dosages. Twenty-four studies reported variable proportions of participants receiving HPN dosages outside of guideline recommendations. When associated factors were assessed, two studies showed nutrient variation with type of HPN administered (multichamber or individually compounded bags). Five studies considered pathophysiological IF classification, with patients with short bowel more likely to require individualised HPN and more fluid and sodium.

CONCLUSIONS

This review highlights substantial evidence gaps in our understanding of the parenteral nutritional requirements of adult receiving HPN. The conclusions drawn were limited by temporal bias, small samples sizes, and poor reporting of confounders and dose. Optimal HPN nutrient dose still need to be determined to aid clinical decision-making and further research should explore characteristics influencing HPN prescribing to refine dosing recommendations.

Reducing Metabolic Bone Disease Burden in Intestinal Failure Children on Home Parenteral Nutrition

Objective

To determine the prevalence of secondary hyperparathyroidism in a cohort of pediatric patients receiving home parenteral nutrition.

Methods

For a service review, a population-based cohort of 37 pediatric intestinal failure patients receiving long-term parenteral nutrition that underwent serial biochemical monitoring during a study period of approximately 4 years were examined. Following the production of an algorithm, a follow-up audit was carried out (n = 33) after approximately 6 months.

Results

Of the 37 patients examined in the initial service review, 22 (59%) were found to have an elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) during the period of monitoring and 5 (14%) had a persistently elevated PTH. In the follow-up audit following the implementation of an algorithm, the number with elevated PTH reduced to 6 (18%) and no patients had persistently high levels.

Conclusion

Elevated PTH is a common biochemical finding in pediatric intestinal failure patients receiving home parenteral nutrition and its presence should alert clinicians to the need to optimize nutritional parameters such as calcium to phosphate molar ratio and vitamin D status; failure to do so may increase the future burden of metabolic bone disease in such patients. We propose that an algorithm may help in this endeavor.

ESPEN guideline on chronic intestinal failure in adults - Update 2023

BACKGROUND & AIMS

In 2016, ESPEN published the guideline for Chronic Intestinal Failure (CIF) in adults. An updated version of ESPEN guidelines on CIF due to benign disease in adults was devised in order to incorporate new evidence since the publication of the previous ESPEN guidelines.

METHODS

The grading system of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) was used to grade the literature. Recommendations were graded according to the levels of evidence available as A (strong), B (conditional), 0 (weak) and Good practice points (GPP). The recommendations of the 2016 guideline (graded using the GRADE system) which were still valid, because no studies supporting an update were retrieved, were reworded and re-graded accordingly.

RESULTS

The recommendations of the 2016 guideline were reviewed, particularly focusing on definitions, and new chapters were included to devise recommendations on IF centers, chronic enterocutaneous fistulas, costs of IF, caring for CIF patients during pregnancy, transition of patients from pediatric to adult centers. The new guideline consist of 149 recommendations and 16 statements which were voted for consensus by ESPEN members, online in July 2022 and at conference during the annual Congress in September 2022. The Grade of recommendation is GPP for 96 (64.4%) of the recommendations, 0 for 29 (19.5%), B for 19 (12.7%), and A for only five (3.4%). The grade of consensus is "strong consensus" for 148 (99.3%) and "consensus" for one (0.7%) recommendation. The grade of consensus for the statements is "strong consensus" for 14 (87.5%) and "consensus" for two (12.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

It is confirmed that CIF management requires complex technologies, multidisciplinary and multiprofessional activity, and expertise to care for the underlying gastrointestinal disease and to provide HPN support. Most of the recommendations were graded as GPP, but almost all received a strong consensus.

A one size vial does not fit all: An evaluation of the micronutrient status of adult patients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN)

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Patients with chronic intestinal failure require HPN. Previous studies have reported a high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies. We examined the micronutrient status of our patients receiving.

METHODS

We measured vitamins A, E, D, B12, Folate, Zinc, Selenium and Copper. Patients were excluded if they had undergone surgery or amendments in IV or oral micronutrient provision in the past six months. Blood samples were excluded if C-reactive protein was >15 mg/L. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed on concentrations below normal to determine if clinical or demographic categories were significant.

RESULTS

93 samples were included (33 males:60 females). Samples were excluded due to surgery (n = 8) amendment in micronutrient provision (n = 42) or if C-reactive protein >15 mg/L (n = 18). Vitamins A, D and E were below normal in 26%, 33% and 13% of patients respectively. Lower vitamin A was more likely in patients >50 years (P = 0.02) and lower vitamin E was more likely in men (P = 0.02). No patients had low vitamin B12 or folate whereas 29% and 9% had concentrations above the normal range respectively. Zinc and selenium were below normal in 19% and 13% respectively. Patients with surgical complications were more likely to have lower zinc (P = 0.007) and selenium (P = 0.04). Lower zinc was more likely in patients with a BMI of >25 kg/m2 (P = 0.01) and those who received Additrace® ≤3 day/week (P = 0.06).

DISCUSSION

Low and high concentrations were observed in our patients but clinical and demographic factors did not impact consistently on micronutrient concentrations highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and adequate supplementation as per ESPEN guidelines. Current micronutrient preparations may be inadequate for some patients with dependent on HPN. Our results indicate a need for a preparation with higher amounts of vitamin D.

Secondary Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Diseases

Fragility fracture is a worldwide problem and a main cause of disability and impaired quality of life. It is primarily caused by osteoporosis, characterized by impaired bone quantity and or quality. Proper diagnosis of osteoporosis is essential for prevention of fragility fractures. Osteoporosis can be primary in postmenopausal women because of estrogen deficiency. Secondary forms of osteoporosis are not uncommon in both men and women. Most systemic illnesses and organ dysfunction can lead to osteoporosis. The kidney plays a crucial role in maintaining physiological bone homeostasis by controlling minerals, electrolytes, acid-base, vitamin D and parathyroid function. Chronic kidney disease with its uremic milieu disturbs this balance, leading to renal osteodystrophy. Diabetes mellitus represents the most common secondary cause of osteoporosis. Thyroid and parathyroid disorders can dysregulate the osteoblast/osteoclast functions. Gastrointestinal disorders, malnutrition and malabsorption can result in mineral and vitamin D deficiencies and bone loss. Patients with chronic liver disease have a higher risk of fracture due to hepatic osteodystrophy. Proinflammatory cytokines in infectious, autoimmune, and hematological disorders can stimulate osteoclastogenesis, leading to osteoporosis. Moreover, drug-induced osteoporosis is not uncommon. In this review, we focus on causes, pathogenesis, and management of secondary osteoporosis.

Efficacy of Teduglutide for Parenteral Support Reduction in Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Teduglutide has been described as an effective treatment for parenteral support (PS) reduction in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS). However, a quantitative summary of the available evidence is still lacking. PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane library, OVID, and CINAHL databases were systematically searched up to July 2021 for studies reporting the rate of response (defined as a ≥20% reduction in PS) to teduglutide among PS-dependent adult patients. The rate of weaning (defined as the achievement of PS independence) was also evaluated as a secondary end-point. Ten studies were finally considered in the meta-analysis. Pooled data show a response rate of 64% at 6 months, 77% at 1 year and, 82% at ≥2 years; on the other hand, the weaning rate could be estimated as 11% at 6 months, 17% at 1 year, and 21% at ≥2 years. The presence of colon in continuity reduced the response rate (-17%, 95%CI: (-31%, -3%)), but was associated with a higher weaning rate (+16%, 95%CI: (+6%, +25%)). SBS etiology, on the contrary, was not found to be a significant predictor of these outcomes, although a nonsignificant trend towards both higher response rates (+9%, 95%CI: (-8%, +27%)) and higher weaning rates (+7%, 95%CI: (-14%, +28%)) could be observed in patients with Crohn's disease. This was the first meta-analysis that specifically assessed the efficacy of teduglutide in adult patients with SBS. Our results provide pooled estimates of response and weaning rates over time and identify intestinal anatomy as a significant predictor of these outcomes.

Parenteral Provision of Micronutrients to Adult Patients: An Expert Consensus Paper

BACKGROUND

Micronutrients, an umbrella term used to collectively describe vitamins and trace elements, are essential components of nutrition. Those requiring alternative forms of nutrition support are dependent on the prescribed nutrition regimen for their micronutrient provision. The purpose of this paper is to assist clinicians to bridge the gap between the available guidelines' recommendations and their practical application in the provision of micronutrients via the parenteral route to adult patients.

METHODS

Based on the available evidenced-based literature and existing guidelines, a panel of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals with significant experience in the provision of parenteral nutrition (PN) and intravenous micronutrients developed this international consensus paper.

RESULTS

The paper addresses 14 clinically relevant questions regarding the importance and use of micronutrients in various clinical conditions. Practical orientation on how micronutrients should be prescribed, administered, and monitored is provided.

CONCLUSION

Micronutrients are a critical component to nutrition provision and PN provided without them pose a considerable risk to nutrition status. Obstacles to their daily provision-including voluntary omission, partial provision, and supply issues-must be overcome to allow safe and responsible nutrition practice.

Understanding and managing secondary osteoporosis

INTRODUCTION

The term secondary osteoporosis (SO) identifies a reduction of bone mass related to a well-established disease or pharmacological agent. The identification of the underlying disease often represents a challenging situation in clinical practice.

AREAS COVERED

The prevalence of SO in the real world may vary, ranging from 17% to 80%; therefore, search for a form of SO represents a pillar when evaluating patients with osteoporosis. Guidelines for treatment of specific secondary forms of osteoporosis, such as glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, have been published even though often neglected in clinical practice. For the majority of SO, there are currently no specific guidelines concerning treatment with only few trials showing the effect of bone-active drugs on fracture risk reduction.

EXPERT OPINION

Healthcare professionals should be aware of the secondary forms of osteoporosis, in particular when the reason for reduced skeletal resistance is uncertain or when bone mineral density results are unsatisfactory in a patient compliant to therapy. In a few cases (such as, for example: no response to therapy, better classification of bone involvement in patients with kidney failure, suspicion of rare metabolic bone disease) bone biopsy is needed to investigate the patient. This review highlights recent advances in understanding and managing SO.

Bacteria, Bones, and Stones: Managing Complications of Short Bowel Syndrome

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) occurs in patients who have had extensive resection. The primary physiologic consequence is malabsorption, resulting in fluid and electrolyte abnormalities and malnutrition. Nutrient digestion, absorption, and assimilation may also be diminished by disturbances in the production of bile acids and digestive enzymes. Small bowel dilation, dysmotility, loss of ileocecal valve, and anatomical changes combined with acid suppression and antimotility drugs increase the risk of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, further contributing to malabsorption. Metabolic changes that occur in SBS due to loss of colonic regulation of gastric and small bowel function can also lead to depletion of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, resulting in demineralization of bone and the eventual development of bone disease. Persistent inflammation, steroid use, parenteral nutrition, chronic metabolic acidosis, and renal insufficiency may exacerbate the problem and contribute to the development of osteoporosis. Multiple factors increase the risk of nephrolithiasis in SBS. In the setting of fat malabsorption, increased free fatty acids are available to bind to calcium, resulting in an increased concentration of unbound oxalate, which is readily absorbed across the colonic mucosa where it travels to the kidney. In addition, there is an increase in colonic permeability to oxalate stemming from the effects of unabsorbed bile salts. The risk of nephrolithiasis is compounded by volume depletion, metabolic acidosis, and hypomagnesemia, resulting in a decrease in renal perfusion, urine output, pH, and citrate excretion. This review examines the causes and treatments of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, bone demineralization, and nephrolithiasis in SBS.

Role of nutritional vitamin D in osteoporosis treatment

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder characterized by a decrease in bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue. The World Health Organization has defined osteoporosis as a decrease in bone mass (50%) and bony quality (50%). Vitamin D, a steroid hormone, is crucial for skeletal health and in mineral metabolism. Its direct action on osteoblasts and osteoclasts and interaction with nonskeletal tissues help in maintaining a balance between bone turnover and bone growth. Vitamin D affects the activity of osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes, suggesting that it affects bone formation, bone resorption, and bone quality. At physiological concentrations, active vitamin D maintains a normal rate of bone resorption and formation through the RANKL/OPG signal. However, active vitamin D at pharmacological concentration inhibits bone resorption at a higher rate than that of bone formation, which influences the bone quality and quantity. Nutritional vitamin D rather than active vitamin D activates osteoblasts and maintains serum 25(OH)D₃ concentration. Despite many unanswered questions, much data support nutritional vitamin D use in osteoporosis patients. This article emphasizes the role of nutritional vitamin D replacement in different turnover status (high or low bone turnover disorders) of osteoporosis together with either anti-resorptive (Bisphosphonate, Denosumab et.) or anabolic (Teriparatide) agents when osteoporosis persists.