GLIM criteria for the diagnosis of malnutrition - A consensus report from the global clinical nutrition community

RATIONALE

This initiative is focused on building a global consensus around core diagnostic criteria for malnutrition in adults in clinical settings.

METHODS

In January 2016, the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) was convened by several of the major global clinical nutrition societies. GLIM appointed a core leadership committee and a supporting working group with representatives bringing additional global diversity and expertise. Empirical consensus was reached through a series of face-to-face meetings, telephone conferences, and e-mail communications.

RESULTS

A two-step approach for the malnutrition diagnosis was selected, i.e., first screening to identify "at risk" status by the use of any validated screening tool, and second, assessment for diagnosis and grading the severity of malnutrition. The malnutrition criteria for consideration were retrieved from existing approaches for screening and assessment. Potential criteria were subjected to a ballot among the GLIM core and supporting working group members. The top five ranked criteria included three phenotypic criteria (non-volitional weight loss, low body mass index, and reduced muscle mass) and two etiologic criteria (reduced food intake or assimilation, and inflammation or disease burden). To diagnose malnutrition at least one phenotypic criterion and one etiologic criterion should be present. Phenotypic metrics for grading severity as Stage 1 (moderate) and Stage 2 (severe) malnutrition are proposed. It is recommended that the etiologic criteria be used to guide intervention and anticipated outcomes. The recommended approach supports classification of malnutrition into four etiology-related diagnosis categories.

CONCLUSION

A consensus scheme for diagnosing malnutrition in adults in clinical settings on a global scale is proposed. Next steps are to secure further collaboration and endorsements from leading nutrition professional societies, to identify overlaps with syndromes like cachexia and sarcopenia, and to promote dissemination, validation studies, and feedback. The diagnostic construct should be re-considered every 3-5 years.

[Effect of antioxidant supplementation over oxidative stress and quality of life in cervical cancer]

BACKGROUND

Mexico has a high rate of cervical cancer which represents an important public health issue. The treatment for this disease depends on the extension of the tumor; for the initial stages surgery is recommended, and for locally advanced tumors, a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy is used. All this process affects natural antioxidant consumption and Quality of Life (QoL).

OBJECTIVE

To find out the effect that supplementation with antioxidants (β-carotene, vitamin C y vitamin E) has on oxidative stress, and quality of life in patient diagnosed with cervical cancer during treatments with cisplatin and radiotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a randomized, blind clinical trial in women with cervical cancer whose antineoplasic treatment was radiotherapy in and radiotherapy with cisplatin. Patients were randomly assigned to receive antioxidant therapy or a placebo. Plasma concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), free carbonyls, dityrosines, and carbonyl/protein rate in two different moments, before oncologic therapy, and after finishing oncology treatment, we also evaluated food consumption by using a validated food frequency questionnaire and a QOL questionnaire before treatment and after it was over. The effect of the antioxidant treatment was assessed by the use t-student test for independent and paired samples, as well as frequencies and X² for categorical variables.

RESULTS

We evaluated 103 patients who were randomly assigned to receive treatment with antioxidants 49 (47.60%) and placebo 54 (52.40%). We did not find statistically significant differences in food or antioxidant consumption according to the food frequency questionnaires. Most of the patients consumed more energy than needed to meet their requirement, but they did not consume enough of most of the antioxidants according to the Recommended Dailiy Allowance (RDA) recommendation. Serum levels of plasma free carbonyls and carbonil/mg of protein ratio were statistically significant (p < 0.009) which shows protein protection regarding oxidative stress in the supplemented group, this information was similar to the one found in the QOL questionnaire, which showed that Global QOL was better in the supplemented group (p < 0.025). Most of the patients had lower α-tocopherol and retinol plasma levels than the recommended values.

CONCLUSIONS

Antioxidant supplementation showed to be effective in reducing oxidative stress in proteins, but it did not on food ingestion, patients did not meet their antioxidants requirement in their diets, in spite of an excess in energy consumption. Antioxidant plasma levels in most of the patients were lower than normal. QoL score was better in the supplemented group.

[Validation of a prognostic index through nutritional status indicators in patients with severe acute pancreatitis]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the accuracy of a previously proposed prognostic index of mortality determined by nutritional indicators in patients severe acute pancreatitis. Methods (study population, subjects, intervention): We evaluated used three nutritional status indicators (total lymphocyte count, creatinine/height index and subescapular skinfold) to determine an index associated to mortality prognosis in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

RESULTS

We assessed 34 patients, who were divided according to their outcome into: a) survivor, b) dead. The vast majority showed a litiasic origin of the disease, which was present among men, predominantly. The index' results were found to be directly (positively) related to mortality probability, i.e., the closer the score was to 2,the more probability the patient had to die.

CONCLUSION

Even though we were able to prove association between the proposed index and the patient's prognosis, a larger sample is needed to validate this as a possible tool which could be used along other prognostic test such as APACHE II or Ranson scales.

Outcomes of temporary self-expanding plastic stents (SEPS) use for gastrointestinal leaks. A case series

INTRODUCTION

Gastrointestinal fistulas can develop as a complication of any gastrointestinal surgery, trauma, malignant disease, radiotherapy or because of iatrogenic procedures. The use of self expandable metallic stents (SEMS) has been reported as a feasible and effective therapeutic method. Self expandable plastic stents (SEPS) have been successfully used to treat esophageal malignancies, perforations and leaks but information regarding outcomes of SEPS in gastrointestinal leaks is scarce.

OBJECTIVE

To report the outcomes and complications of endotherapy using SEPS in upper gastrointestinal tract fistulas following gastrointestinal surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective review of 5 cases of upper gastrointestinal leaks treated with SEPS. Medical records were reviewed to obtained patients demographics, procedure success, complications and follow up.

RESULTS

We described 2 women and 3 men with an age ranged between 29 and 65 years old. SEPS were left in place for a median period of 90 days (range: 30-279 days). There were no complications related to SEPS placement, replacement or withdrawal. Fistulas closed in 60% of the cases where SEPS were the only therapeutic maneuver and in more than 80% when other therapy (cyanoacrilate, fibrin) was used.

CONCLUSIONS

Endotherapy with SEPS appears as a feasible, safe and effective option for sealing gastrointestinal fistulas.