Mundi, Manpreet S.

Hospitalized patients are at an increased risk of malnutrition due to multiple factors including, but not limited to, acute and chronic diseases especially those affecting gastrointestinal tract, surgery, appetite, and frequent nil per os while undergoing diagnostic workup. Because of this, guidelines suggest the use of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) in hospitalized patients to reduce the risk of malnutrition and its complications. The current report aims to highlights key findings from a cross-sectional survey of 99 hospitalized patients who were at risk for or diagnosed with malnutrition and prescribed ONS. Data regarding ONS prescriber information as well as number ordered and consumed were collected. Of the 2.4 ± 1.5 supplements ordered per person each day, only 1.3 ± 1.1 were consumed, and there was 48% wastage of prescribed ONS. However, dietitian involvement was associated with significant reduction in wastage. Given the need and benefit, it is imperative for the nutrition community to further explore best practices to improve ONS consumption.

Abstract Background This study investigated the prevalence, characteristics, and management of patients with chronic intestinal failure (CIF) in the United States in 2012–2020, based on parenteral support (PS) prescription claims and healthcare utilization. Methods Patients with CIF were identified from the Integrated DataVerse® claims database if they had at least two PS prescriptions within 6 months and a relevant diagnosis. Analysis included prevalence and characteristics of patients with CIF, their travel distance to receive PS prescriptions, and the distribution of PS providers and their prescribing history. Results Up to 24,048 patients with CIF were identified, equivalent to 75 patients per million. CIF affected people of all ages, being more prevalent in women than in men. Many providers signed PS orders for small patient groups over short time periods, whereas few providers signed PS orders for large patient groups long term, indicating a lack of centralization. The distribution of PS providers suggested a disparity in healthcare coverage in rural vs urban areas, leading to patients traveling considerable distances to receive PS prescriptions. This may be exacerbated by a decline of providers with expertise in CIF and nutrition. Conclusions Healthcare disparities for patients with CIF have likely been obscured by the lack of CIF‐specific diagnostic and procedure codes, obliging providers to code for their patients under other codes. Effective policy changes, including centralized care, revision of reimbursement models, and expansion of nutrition‐focused education in addition to the newly introduced International Classification of Diseases codes, are needed to provide the best care for patients.

Background Obesity is increasingly common in kidney transplant candidates and may limit access to transplantation. Obesity and diabetes are associated with a high risk for post-transplant complications. The best approach to weight loss to facilitate active transplant listing is unknown, but bariatric surgery is rarely considered due to patient- and physician-related apprehension, among other factors. Methods We aimed to determine the magnitude of weight loss, listing, and transplant rates in 28 candidates with a mean BMI of 44.4±4.6 kg/m 2 and diabetes treated conservatively for 1 year post weight-loss consultations (group 1). Additionally, we evaluated 15 patients (group 2) who met the inclusion criteria but received bariatric intervention within the same time frame. All patients completed a multidisciplinary weight management consultation with at least 1 year of follow-up. Results In the conservatively managed group (group 1), the mean weight at the time of initial consultation was 126.5±18.5 kg, and the mean BMI was 44.4±4.6 kg/m 2 . At 1 year post weight-loss consultation, the mean weight decreased by 4.4±8.2 kg to 122.9±17 kg, and the mean BMI was 43±4.8 kg/m 2 , with a total mean body weight decrease of 3% ( P =0.01). Eighteen patients (64%) did not progress to become candidates for active listing/transplantation during the follow-up time of 4±2.9 years, with 15 (54%) subsequently developing renal failure/diabetes-related comorbidities prohibitive for transplantation. In contrast, mean total body weight decreased by 19% at 6 months post bariatric surgery, and the mean BMI was 34.2±4 and 32.5±3.7 kg/m 2 at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Bariatric surgery was strongly associated with subsequent kidney transplantation (HR=8.39 [95% CI 1.71 to 41.19]; P =0.009). Conclusions A conservative weight-loss approach involving multidisciplinary consultation was ineffective in most kidney transplant candidates with diabetes, suggesting that a more proactive approach is needed.

AbstractBackgroundGastrostomy tubes placed radiologically, endoscopically or surgically facilitate long‐term home enteral nutrition (HEN). Patient‐specific clinical factors may affect placement techniques, confounding direct comparisons between radiologically inserted gastrostomy (RIG) and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) outcomes. This study sought to evaluate the differences in clinical outcomes in patients undergoing gastrostomy tube placement by interventional radiologists or gastroenterologists.MethodsA single‐center prospective trial randomizing patients initiating HEN to RIG or PEG was conducted between March 2018 and June 2021. Patients were followed until the time of gastrostomy removal or until 9 months after tube placement. Tracked complications included peritonitis, abscess, bleeding, bowel perforation, and tube occlusion, malposition, or damage. Periprocedural pain rating and quality of life (QoL) surveys were collected.ResultsForty‐two patients were randomized to RIG or PEG. Twenty patients underwent RIG (mean age, 63.0 ± 11.7 years; 85% male; 95% with head and neck cancer) and 22 patients underwent PEG (mean age, 66.3 ± 10.9 years; 81.8% male; 90.9% with head and neck cancer). RIG and PEG groups had 4.18 ± 5.49 and 2.80 ± 5.82 complications per 1000 HEN days, respectively (P = 0.357). The most frequent complications were tube malposition and abscess formation for the RIG and PEG groups, respectively. No major complications occurred in either group. There was no difference in the average of pain ratings in all pain inventory components across both groups. Both groups reported improvement in overall QoL after gastrostomy tube placement (P = 0.532).ConclusionRIG is noninferior to PEG regarding complication rates, pain, and QoL when compared in a prospective randomized fashion.

AbstractBackgroundMalnutrition is underrecognized and underdiagnosed, despite high prevalence rates and associated poor clinical outcomes. The involvement of clinical nutrition experts, especially physicians, in the care of high‐risk patients with malnutrition remains low despite evidence demonstrating lower complication rates with nutrition support team (NST) management. To facilitate solutions, a survey was designed to elucidate the nature of NSTs and physician involvement and identify needs for novel nutrition support care models.MethodsThis survey assessed demographics of NSTs, factors contributing to the success of NSTs, elements of nutrition education, and other barriers to professional growth.ResultsOf 255 respondents, 235 complete surveys were analyzed. The geographic distribution of respondents correlated with population concentrations of the United States (r = 90.8%, p < .0001). Most responding physicians (46/57; 80.7%) reported being a member of NSTs, compared with 56.5% (88/156) of dietitians. Of those not practicing in NSTs (N = 81/235, 34.4%), 12.3% (10/81) reported an NST was previously present at their institution but had been disbanded. Regarding NSTs, financial concerns were common (115/235; 48.9%), followed by leadership (72/235; 30.6%), and healthcare professional (HCP) interest (55/235; 23.4%). A majority (173/235; 73.6%) of all respondents wanted additional training in nutrition but reported insufficient protected time, ability to travel, or support from administrators or other HCPs.ConclusionCore actions resulting from this survey focused on formalizing physician roles, increasing interdisciplinary nutrition support expertise, utilizing cost‐effective screening for malnutrition, and implementing intervention protocols. Additional actions included increasing funding for clinical practice, education, and research, all within an expanded portfolio of pragmatic nutrition support care models.

AbstractAs the prevalence of smoking continues to decline, dietary factors are rapidly becoming the leading preventable cause of disease. Diet and obesity are also leading to a shift in cancer prevalence with increases noted in breast, liver, pancreas, and uterine cancers. Once cancer is detected, obesity is also associated with poorer outcomes with therapy as well as higher morbidity and mortality. Key factors are associated with the link between obesity and cancer including chronic inflammation, change in sex hormones, alteration in insulin‐IGF‐1 axis, alteration in adipokines, as well as cancer stem cells that are derived from adipose tissue. Because of these associations, a great deal of effort is being placed in implementing lifestyle changes that mitigate obesity‐associated factors that contribute to development of cancer, reduce side effects of treatment, and improve survival. Ketogenic diet is emerging as an attractive option in countering obesity‐related tumor‐promoting factors, as it is associated with weight loss as well as a reduction in insulin resistance and inflammation. Ketogenic diet can also deprive cancer cells of glucose, a fuel source that is predominantly used by many cancer lines through aerobic glycolysis in the setting of dysregulated mitochondria. Current manuscript reviews the theoretical benefits for use of ketogenic diet in cancer as well as the data available from clinical trials.

Abstract Advances in treatment of malignancy including novel pharmacologic therapies and surgical interventions has led to significant improvement in survival. As cancer becomes a chronic disease, nutrition interventions play an increasingly important role in short‐ and long‐term outcomes. The current manuscript presents a case of a 66‐year‐old male with new diagnosis of pancreatic cancer diagnosed incidentally in the setting of COVID‐19. Expert panelists in the field of nutrition discuss optimal strategies for diagnosis of malnutrition along with preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative optimization of nutrition. This discussion focuses on the use of probiotics, immune‐modulating nutrition, fish oil, specialized proresolving mediators, and use of enteral and parenteral nutrition support.

AbstractThe worldwide increase in the prevalence of obesity and adiposity‐related comorbidities has required a novel approach to cardiometabolic risk mitigation focused on the key mechanistic drivers of disease. The current manuscript presents the case of a 74‐year‐old male with obesity complicated by coronary artery disease, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and type 2 diabetes. Expert panelists discuss optimal diagnostic and treatment strategies focused on lifestyle modifications including dietary interventions such as the Mediterranean dietary pattern, medications that target multiple drivers of disease, as well as procedural options.

AbstractBackgroundPatients with headand neck cancer (HNC) are at high risk for malnutrition before and during chemoradiation treatment. Many will also require tube feeding to address declines in energy intake, weight, and quality of life (QOL) caused by the impact of treatment on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Blenderized tube feeding (BTF) may ameliorate these adverse conditions.MethodsIn this open‐label, prospective pilot study, 30 patients with HNC who required feeding tube placement were recruited to switch from standard commercial formula after 2 weeks to a commercially prepared BTF formula. Weight, body mass index (BMI), GI symptoms, and QOL scores were tracked for 6 weeks from the first week of feeding tube placement.ResultsOf the 16 patients who completed the 6‐week assessment period, weights and BMI scores for 15 patients trended upward. For most patients, QOL and oral intake increased and GI symptoms decreased over the 6‐week period, particularly during weeks 3 and 4, when the impact of treatment is particularly exacting on patients with HNC.ConclusionBTF effectively mitigated weight loss, GI symptoms, QOL scores, and total energy intake in this group of patients with HNC who received tube feeding for 6 weeks.