Methodological Rigor and Transparency in Clinical Practice Guidelines for Nutrition Care in Critically Ill Adults: A Systematic Review Using the AGREE II and AGREE-REX Tools

Background: To evaluate the methodological quality of (1) clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) that inform nutrition care in critically ill adults using the AGREE II tool and (2) CPG recommendations for determining energy expenditure using the AGREE-REX tool. Methods: CPGs by a professional society or academic group, intended to guide nutrition care in critically ill adults, that used a systematic literature search and rated the evidence were included. Four databases and grey literature were searched from January 2011 to 19 January 2022. Five investigators assessed the methodological quality of CPGs and recommendations specific to energy expenditure determination. Scaled domain scores were calculated for AGREE II and a scaled total score for AGREE-REX. Data are presented as medians (interquartile range). Results: Eleven CPGs were included. Highest scoring domains for AGREE II were clarity of presentation (82% [76–87%]) and scope and purpose (78% [66–83%]). Lowest scoring domains were applicability (37% [32–42%]) and stakeholder involvement (46% [33–51%]). Eight (73%) CPGs provided recommendations relating to energy expenditure determination; scores were low overall (37% [36–40%]) and across individual domains. Conclusions: Nutrition CPGs for critically ill patients are developed using systematic methods but lack engagement with key stakeholders and guidance to support application. The quality of energy expenditure determination recommendations is low.     

绝经后骨质疏松症临床实践指南和专家共识的质量评价

目的 采用AGREE Ⅱ工具评价绝经后骨质疏松症的临床实践指南和专家共识,为中国绝经后骨质疏松症指南的制订提供参考依据。方法 通过检索PubMed、EMbase、中国生物医学文献服务系统、中国知网、维普和万方数据库,同时补充检索医脉通数据库、WHO、美国国立临床诊疗指南数据库、英国国家卫生与服务优化研究院等数据库,收集绝经后骨质疏松症的指南和共识,初始检索时限为建库至2022年6月,补充检索时限为建库至2022年9月。由2名研究者独立筛选指南和专家共识并提取资料后,采用AGREE Ⅱ工具对纳入的指南和共识进行质量评价。结果 共纳入29篇指南和共识,AGREE Ⅱ 6个结构域制订平均得分率为91%、52%、38%、79%、37%、56%,组内相关系数检验结果为0.80(P<0.05)。编辑的独立性方面,国外指南或共识得分高于国内指南或共识(Z=-2.763,P<0.05)。指南较共识在应用性领域得分高(Z=-2.387,P<0.05)。2017年之后发表的指南和共识在参与人员和表达清晰性领域比2017年之前的得分高(Z=-2.232,P<0.05;Z=-3.189...     

Guidelines in cardiac clinical practice: evaluation of their methodological quality using the AGREE II instrument

Although clinical guidelines have an influential role in healthcare practice, their development process and the evidence they cite has been subject to criticism. This study evaluates the quality of guidelines in cardiac clinical practice by examining how they adhere to validated methodological standards in guideline development. A structured review of cardiac clinical practice guidelines published in seven cardiovascular journals between January 2001 and May 2011 was performed. The AGREE II assessment tool was used by two researchers to evaluate guideline quality. A total of 101 guidelines were identified. Assessment of guidelines using AGREE II found methodological quality to be highly variable (median score, 58.70%; range, 45.34–76.40%). ‘Scope and purpose’ (median score, 86.1%) and ‘clarity of development’ (median score, 83.3 %) were the two domains within AGREE II that received the highest scores. Applicability (median score, 20.80%; range, 4.20–54.20%) and editorial independence (median score, 33.30%; range, 0–62.50%) had the lowest scores. There is considerable variability in the quality of cardiac clinical practice guidelines and this has not improved over the last 10 years. Incorporating validated guideline assessment tools, such as AGREE II, may improve the quality of guidelines.     

A systematic review of appraisal tools for clinical practice guidelines: multiple similarities and one common deficit.

OBJECTIVE: To identify a critical appraisal tool for clinical practice guidelines that could serve as a basis for the development of an appraisal tool for clinical pathways. DESIGN: Systematic review of the literature and personal contacts. Databases searched were: Medline, Embase, and Cinahl. Search terms were: practice guidelines, appraisal, and evaluation. The items of the identified appraisal tools were examined and thematically grouped into 10 guideline dimensions. Content analysis and scoring of these domains by the appraisal tools was evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-four different appraisal tools of practice guidelines were identified. None scored the evidence base of the clinical content of guidelines. Four tools scored all the guideline dimensions. The Cluzeau instrument is the only one of these four that has been validated. Of the three instruments based on the Cluzeau instrument, the AGREE instrument is the only validated instrument that uses a numerical scale. CONCLUSIONS: Being a simplified version of the Cluzeau instrument, the AGREE instrument has the most potential to serve as a basis for the development of an appraisal tool for clinical pathways. However, important limitations will have to be dealt with when developing such a tool.     

Analysis of the quality of clinical practice guidelines on established ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVES: To catalogue and comparatively assess the quality of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) for ischemic stroke taking into account format and development methodology. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive, systematic bibliographic search of CPGs addressing the management of ischemic stroke. We designed a sensitive strategy, using methodological filters in the following databases: Medline, IME and Lilacs, National Guidelines Clearinghouse, National electronic Library for Health, NICE, Guidelines International Network (GIN), Canadian Medical Association Infobase, development groups such as Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), New Zealand Guidelines Group (NZGG), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Ministry of Health Singapore, Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI); and scientific societies: American Heart Association, American Medical Association, Royal College of Physicians London. We included all CPGs published in English, French, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish from 1999 to 2005 and excluded those CPGs whose scope was primary prevention and rehabilitation from ischemic stroke. Four researchers independently assessed the structure and methodologies followed in drafting the CPGs using the Changing Professional Practice (CPP) and Appraisal of Guidelines Research & Evaluation (AGREE) instruments. RESULTS: We retrieved 117 documents; following application of exclusion criteria, twenty-seven CPGs were appraised. With regard to methodological quality (using the AGREE instrument), the domains that scored highest were "Scope and purpose" and "Clarity and presentation." The lowest scoring domains were "Stakeholder involvement," "Rigor of development," and "Applicability." Most guidelines received an overall score of "would not recommend" (77.8 percent). Finally, based on the CPP instrument, most of the CPGs evaluated were aimed at secondary care and did not provide updating procedures. CONCLUSIONS: The overall quality of the CPGs published for ischemic stroke management did not have minimum methodological quality. Quality improvement has been observed in more recent CPGs and may be due to the publication of new tools such as the AGREE or CPP instruments, as well as international initiatives for CPG improvement.     

Future Doctors' Perceptions about Incorporating Nutrition into Standard Care Practice

Objective: The increasing prevalence of chronic disease has been largely attributed to long-term poor nutrition and lifestyle choices. This study investigates the attitudes of our future physicians toward nutrition and the likelihood of incorporating nutrition principles into current treatment protocols.Methods: Setting: The setting of this study was an Australian university medical school. Subjects: Subjects including year 1–4 students (n = 928) in a 4-year medical bachelor, bachelor of surgery (MBBS) degree program. Students were invited to participate in a questionnaire based on an existing instrument, the Nutrition in Patient Care Attitude (NIPC) Questionnaire, to investigate their attitudes toward nutrition in health care practices.Results: Respondents indicated that “high risk patients should be routinely counseled on nutrition” (87%), “nutrition counseling should be routine practice” (70%), and “routine nutritional assessment and counseling should occur in general practice” (57%). However, despite overall student support of nutritional counseling (70%) and assessment (86%), students were reluctant to perform actual dietary assessments, with only 38% indicating that asking for a food diary or other measure of dietary intake was important.Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that future physicians are aware of the importance of considering nutrition counseling and assessment. However, students are unlikely to adequately integrate relevant nutritional information into their treatment protocols, evidenced by their limited use of a basic nutritional assessment. This is potentially the result of a lack of formal nutrition education within their basic training.     

Malnutrition screening tools: Comparison against two validated nutrition assessment methods in older medical inpatients

ObjectiveAlthough several validated nutritional screening tools have been developed to “triage” inpatients for malnutrition diagnosis and intervention, there continues to be debate in the literature as to which tool/tools clinicians should use in practice. This study compared the accuracy of seven validated screening tools in older medical inpatients against two validated nutritional assessment methods.MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study of medical inpatients at least 65 y old. Malnutrition screening was conducted using seven tools recommended in evidence-based guidelines. Nutritional status was assessed by an accredited practicing dietitian using the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Energy intake was observed on a single day during first week of hospitalization.ResultsIn this sample of 134 participants (80 ± 8 y old, 50% women), there was fair agreement between the SGA and MNA (κ = 0.53), with MNA identifying more “at-risk” patients and the SGA better identifying existing malnutrition. Most tools were accurate in identifying patients with malnutrition as determined by the SGA, in particular the Malnutrition Screening Tool and the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002. The MNA Short Form was most accurate at identifying nutritional risk according to the MNA. No tool accurately predicted patients with inadequate energy intake in the hospital.ConclusionBecause all tools generally performed well, clinicians should consider choosing a screening tool that best aligns with their chosen nutritional assessment and is easiest to implement in practice. This study confirmed the importance of rescreening and monitoring food intake to allow the early identification and prevention of nutritional decline in patients with a poor intake during hospitalization.     

Weight Gain and Nutrition during Pregnancy: An Analysis of Clinical Practice Guidelines in the Asia-Pacific Region

Nutrition and weight gain during pregnancy can influence the life-course health of offspring. Clinical practice guidelines play an important role in ensuring appropriate nutrition and weight gain among pregnant women. This study aims to identify clinical practice guidelines on gestational weight gain and/or maternal nutrition across the Asia-Pacific region and to determine the quality of the guidelines and variability in the recommendations. Through a systematic search of grey literature from 38 Asia-Pacific countries, 23 published guidelines were obtained. Of these, 10 eligible clinical practice guidelines reporting nutrition- or/and weight-related recommendations for pregnant women were selected and reviewed. Guideline quality was determined using the Assessment of Guidelines for Research Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument. Of the 10 guidelines, 90% were classified as low-quality in the AGREE II appraisal. Several variations were found with respect to recommendations on gestational weight gain, including those specific to Asian populations. The recommendations on dietary advice, additional energy intake, and nutritional supplementation during pregnancy were varied. Clinical practice guidelines on weight gain and nutrition in pregnancy across the Asia-Pacific region are generally of poor quality, reflecting significant variation, and need to be improved to ensure pregnant women receive appropriate advice. (PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021291395).     

Prevalence of malnutrition and use of nutritional support in Peterborough Primary Care Trust

Background: Recent NICE guidance recommends that people in care homes should be screened with a validated tool such as the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool [MUST (Elia, 2003)] on admission and where there is clinical concern (NICE, 2006). Nutrition support should be used for those who are either malnourished or at risk of malnutrition (NICE 2006; Stratton & Elia, 2007). Before implementation of MUST in care homes within the Peterborough PCT area, a cross sectional survey was undertaken with the aim of determining documentation of nutrition information, current screening practices, prevalence of malnutrition risk and use of nutrition support. Methods: A cross sectional study of nutritional care in 703 care home residents [mean age 84 (27–104) years] across 19 care homes (54% residential; 46% nursing) in Peterborough PCT was carried out for 4 months in 2007. The survey of care home notes collected information on; equipment, documentation of nutritional information (e.g. weight, height, weight loss), use of screening tools, and use of nutritional support including food fortification, dietary advice, use of supplements, and seeing a dietitian. To establish the prevalence of malnutrition risk, available nutritional information (n = 566) from the notes was used to classify residents risk using the MUST criteria. Results: All care homes (n = 19) had weighing scales with 74% having sitting and/or hoist scales, and 21% having standing scales only. Stadiometers were unavailable in all homes. Most (91%) of the residents had a recent weight documented and 58% had a documented height. Eighty‐one per cent of residents had been screened, mostly monthly, but nine different tools were used across the care homes. Using available data to calculate MUST indicated that 32% of residents were at risk of malnutrition (13% medium; 19% high) with a higher prevalence in nursing compared to residential homes (38% versus 25%; P = 0.001 Chi squared). The majority (64%) of residents at high risk of malnutrition using MUST were not receiving any form of nutritional support; in contrast 9% at low risk of malnutrition were receiving support including food fortification, oral nutritional supplements, and dietetic care. Discussion: This survey suggests that using MUST more than a quarter of residents in care homes are at risk of malnutrition. However, inconsistency in screening practices (frequency, types of tools and equipment available) can impair the identification of at risk residents preventing the appropriate use of nutrition support. Conclusions: There is a need to improve the identification and treatment of malnutrition and reduce inappropriate use of nutritional support in care homes. Therefore a programme is planned to implement routine screening with MUST, use of evidence based care plans, followed by an audit to evaluate its effects on the nutritional care of residents. References National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). (2006) Nutrition Support in Adults: Oral Nutrition Support, Enteral Tube Feeding and Parenteral Nutrition. Clinical Guideline 32. Stratton, R.J. & Elia, M. (2007) A review of reviews: A new look at the evidence for oral nutritional supplements in clinical practice. Clin. Nutr. (Suppl. 2), 5–23. Elia, M. ed. The “MUST” report (2003). Nutritional Screening for Adults: A Multidisciplinary Responsibility. Vol. 2. Suppl. 1. Redditch, UK: BAPEN.     

全球乳腺癌筛查指南质量评价

目的:对已发表的乳腺癌筛查指南进行质量评价,为我国乳腺癌筛查指南的制订提供借鉴和参考。方法:检索PubMed、Embase、Cochrane Library、Web of Science、中国知网、中国生物医学文献服务系统、维普网和万方数据知识服务平台中乳腺癌筛查指南,检索时间为建库至2020年8月。由2名研究人员独立...     

全球前列腺癌筛查指南质量评价

目的:系统评价现有前列腺癌筛查指南的方法学质量和报告质量,为今后同类指南的制定和更新提供参考。方法:以前列腺癌、前列腺肿瘤、筛查、筛检、指南、共识、规范、标准、prostate cancer、prostate carcinoma、prostate tumor、screening、early detection、guid...     

Association Between Malnutrition and Clinical Outcomes in the Intensive Care Unit: A Systematic Review

Malnutrition is associated with poor clinical outcomes among hospitalized patients. However, studies linking malnutrition with poor clinical outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU) often have conflicting findings due in part to the inappropriate diagnosis of malnutrition. We primarily aimed to determine whether malnutrition diagnosed by validated nutrition assessment tools such as the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) or Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) is independently associated with poorer clinical outcomes in the ICU and if the use of nutrition screening tools demonstrate a similar association. PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched for eligible studies. Search terms included were synonyms of malnutrition, nutritional status, screening, assessment, and intensive care unit. Eligible studies were case‐control or cohort studies that recruited adults in the ICU; conducted the SGA, MNA, or used nutrition screening tools before or within 48 hours of ICU admission; and reported the prevalence of malnutrition and relevant clinical outcomes including mortality, length of stay (LOS), and incidence of infection (IOI). Twenty of 1168 studies were eligible. The prevalence of malnutrition ranged from 38% to 78%. Malnutrition diagnosed by nutrition assessments was independently associated with increased ICU LOS, ICU readmission, IOI, and the risk of hospital mortality. The SGA clearly had better predictive validity than the MNA. The association between malnutrition risk determined by nutrition screening was less consistent. Malnutrition is independently associated with poorer clinical outcomes in the ICU. Compared with nutrition assessment tools, the predictive validity of nutrition screening tools were less consistent.     

Complications nutritionnelles de la chirurgie de l’obésité : prévalence,prévention,traitement. Revue systématique de littérature

BackgroundIn France, the use of obesity surgery is increasing sharply. Yet effective on severe obesity and its comorbidities, it exposes to the risk of serious postoperative complications, including nutritional issues. We aimed to synthesize the research-based evidence concerning these nutritional complications: prevalence, risk factors, recommendations on their treatment and prevention.MethodsWe carried out a PRISMA systematic review, the articles included were analyzed into a synoptic table, allowing the development of summary tables.ResultsPostoperative nutritional deficiencies are frequent (vitamin D 25–100%, B12 7–70%, iron 7–63%). A lifelong micronutrient supplementation is essential (multivitamin and minerals, vitamin D-calcium, iron, vitamin B12) to prevent the hematological, neurological, or musculoskeletal consequences of deficiencies. Their prevention-screening-treatment are part of a global postoperative management which must be multimodal and interdisciplinary. Severe malnutrition exists (<5%) and could lead to serious complications (“nutritional disasters”) that may require artificial nutrition. Studies with high level of evidence on postoperative follow-up and supplementation are rare, not allowing the development of consensus guidelines. To prevent nutritional deficiencies and their consequences, the collaboration between general practitioners and medico-surgical teams should be strengthened.ConclusionNutritional complications are common after obesity surgery. Potentially serious, they are accessible to screening and prevention, through lifelong biochemical and clinical monitoring, and micronutrient supplementation. A coordinated follow-up, as part of a tailored “community care-hospital” patient healthcare pathway, could improve postoperative outcomes.     

The New European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism Definition of Malnutrition: Application for Nutrition Assessment and Prediction of Morbimortality in an Emergency Service

Background : Recently, the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) provided novel consensus criteria for malnutrition diagnosis. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of this instrument in combination with different nutrition screening tools (1) to identify malnutrition and (2) to predict morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Materials and Methods : Observational prospective study in 750 adults admitted to the emergency service of a tertiary public hospital. Subjective Global Assessment (SGA—reference method) and the new ESPEN criteria were used to assess nutrition status of patients, who were initially screened for nutrition risk using 4 different tools. Outcome measures included length of hospital stay, occurrence of infection, and incidence of death during hospitalization, analyzed by logistic regression. Results : There was a lack of agreement between the SGA and ESPEN definition of malnutrition, regardless of the nutrition screening tool applied previously (κ = ?0.050 to 0.09). However, when Malnutrition Screening Tool and Nutritional Risk Screening–2002 (NRS‐2002) were used as the screening tool, malnourished patients according to ESPEN criteria showed higher probability of infection (relative risk [RR], 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–2.31 and RR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.37–3.10, respectively), and when the NRS‐2002 was used, the risk for death was 2.7 times higher (hazard ratio, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.07–6.81) in malnourished patients than in well‐nourished patients. Conclusion : Although the new ESPEN criteria had a poor diagnostic value, it seems to be a prognostic tool among hospitalized patients, especially when used in combination with the NRS‐2002.     

The Role of Nutritional Support for Cancer Patients in Palliative Care

The role of nutritional support for cancer patients in palliative care is still a controversial topic, in part because there is no consensus on the definition of a palliative care patient because of ambiguity in the common medical use of the adjective palliative. Nonetheless, guidelines recommend assessing nutritional deficiencies in all such patients because, regardless of whether they are still on anticancer treatments or not, malnutrition leads to low performance status, impaired quality of life (QoL), unplanned hospitalizations, and reduced survival. Because nutritional interventions tailored to individual needs may be beneficial, guidelines recommend that if oral food intake remains inadequate despite counseling and oral nutritional supplements, home enteral nutrition or, if this is not sufficient or feasible, home parenteral nutrition (supplemental or total) should be considered in suitable patients. The purpose of this narrative review is to identify in these cancer patients the area of overlapping between the two therapeutic approaches consisting of nutritional support and palliative care in light of the variables that determine its identification (guidelines, evidence, ethics, and law). However, nutritional support for cancer patients in palliative care may be more likely to contribute to improving their QoL when part of a comprehensive early palliative care approach.     

Validity of Nutritional Screening Tools for Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ObjectivesThe aim of this systematic review was to summarize the validity of nutritional screening tools to detect the risk of malnutrition in community-dwelling older adults.DesignA systematic review and meta-analysis. The protocol for this systematic review was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42017072703).Setting and participantsA literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane using the combined terms “malnutrition,” “aged,” “community-dwelling,” and “screening.” The time frame of the literature reviewed was from January 1, 2001, to May 18, 2018. Older community-dwellers were defined as follows: individuals with a mean/median age of >65 years who were community-dwellers or attended hospital outpatient clinics and day hospitals. All nutritional screening tools that were validated in community-dwelling older adults against a reference standard to detect the risk of malnutrition, or with malnutrition, were included.MeasuresMeta-analyses were performed on the diagnostic accuracy of identified nutritional screening tools validated against the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Long Form (MNA-LF). The symmetric hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic models were used to estimate test performance.ResultsOf 7713 articles, 35 articles were included in the systematic review, and 9 articles were included in the meta-analysis. Seventeen nutritional screening tools and 10 reference standards were identified. The meta-analyses showed average sensitivities and specificities of 0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75–0.99) and 0.95 (95% CI 0.85–0.99) for the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF; cutoff point ≤11), 0.85 (95% CI 0.80–0.89) and 0.87 (95% CI 0.86–0.89) for the MNA-SF-V1 (MNA-SF using body mass index, cutoff point ≤11), 0.85 (95% CI 0.77–0.89) and 0.84 (95% CI 0.79–0.87) for the MNA-SF-V2 (MNA-SF using calf circumference instead of body mass, cutoff point ≤11), respectively, using MNA-LF as the reference standard.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe MNA-SF, MNA-SF-V1, and MNA-SF-V2 showed good sensitivity and specificity to detect community-dwelling older adults at risk of malnutrition validated against the MNA-LF. Clinicians should consider the use of the cutoff point ≤11 on the MNA-SF, MNA-SF-V1, and MNA-SF-V2 to identify community-dwelling older adults at risk of malnutrition.     

Research identified variation in nutrition practice by community prescribing dietitians with regards to the identification and management of malnutrition amongst community dwelling adults

To improve nutritional outcomes of community dwelling adults with malnutrition we identified three related hypotheses to be tested: i) Southampton Community Prescribing Support Service dietitians achieve 100% compliance with selected standards of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Clinical Guideline (CG) 32, ii) patient service satisfaction amongst community dwelling adults accessing the prescribing support service is high (90%), and iii) nationally, dietitians use weight gain goal >10% and BMI >18.5 kg/m² as outcome measures from the service phases of prescribing support. A retrospective audit of records of 100 community-dwelling adults accessing local services considered CG32 “Indications for nutrition support in hospital and community standard 1.3.1” and CG32 “Monitoring of nutrition support in hospital and community standard 1.5.6”. A questionnaire was distributed to community-dwelling adults (n = 52) accessing the service, in addition to a national survey of dietetic practice. Compliance with standard 1.3.1 was 46% and with standard 1.5.6 it was 82%. The majority of patients (86%; n = 13) reported satisfaction with the support service. Nationally, 89% (n = 51) of dietitians use weight and 87% (n = 50) use BMI as an outcome measure for success of nutritional intervention. All research hypotheses were rejected. These results suggest there is considerable variation in the identification and management of malnutrition amongst community dwelling adults, which may impact on clinical and nutritional outcomes. Future work should consider quality improvement projects to address potential barriers to achieving best practice by community prescribing dietitians through the use of nutrition pathways to support older adults with malnutrition.     

Development and validation of a nutrition screening tool for hospitalized cancer patients

Background & aims

Although various nutrition screening tools are used, they are not specific for the screening of malnourished cancer patients. The objective of this study was to develop a nutrition screening tool that could be used to identify cancer patients at risk for malnutrition.

Methods

Of 3010 cancer patients admitted to the National Cancer Center of Korea between April 1 and June 2, 2008, the nutritional status of 1057 patients was assessed by the Scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). Variables used in current nutrition screening tools were analyzed to select indices for a developing malnutrition screening tool for cancer patients (MSTC). The equation for the MSTC was established using receiver operating characteristics curves. Sensitivities and specificities of the MSTC were calculated using the PG-SGA as gold standard.

Results

The MSTC was calculated as follows: [MSTC = −0.116 + (1.777 × intake change) + (1.304 × Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status) + (1.568 × weight loss) + (−0.187 × body mass index)]. The MSTC had a sensitivity of 94.0%, a specificity of 84.2%, and high agreement (κ = 0.70, P < 0.0001) with the PG-SGA.

Conclusions

The MSTC appears to be a valid nutrition screening tool for determining nutritional risk in hospitalized cancer patients.     

An exploratory case study of cancer nurses' understanding and use of nutritional screening in patients diagnosed with cancer

Background: Cancer is often associated with malnutrition and therefore nutritional support should be considered a major component of treatment and used in adjunct with anti‐neoplastic therapies (Read et al., 2006). Successful nutritional support depends on thorough nutritional assessment (Mercadante, 1996). The literature suggests that systematic screening through the use of a tool enables practitioners to provide relevant nutritional support but this does not occur in practice due to a lack of formal education and gaps in knowledge (Savage & Scott, 2005). This gap in the evidence appears to relate to the nurses’ own perceptions of the importance of nutritional assessment and its’ application in practice. The aim of this study was to explore nurses’ understanding and use of nutritional assessment in patients diagnosed with cancer. Methods: Case study methodology was used to understand the culture of the ward. Sampling was defined by the methodology as the case was chosen to facilitate exploration of the phenomenon. Non‐random sampling was employed as it allowed for the richest possible source of information (O’Leary, 2004). A letter of invitation and information sheet was sent to all eligible nurses. Data from two nursing staff focus groups (n = 7, n = 11), a survey of patient documentation (n = 27) and field observations were used to elicit influences of nursing practice on nutritional risk screening. A tentative focus group question guide was used to ensure that the process had as few interruptions as possible and a moderator facilitated this. The focus groups were audio tape‐recorded and were transcribed verbatim. The data was analyzed using triangulation, looking for phrases and themes that related to the propositions. A mind map was used to explore connections between the themes and propositions along with my own perceptions ensuring transparency of analysis. The case was reported using a reflexive narrative enabling the causal links between the data and propositions to be explored. Study propositions were: did nurses play a critical role in identifying patients at nutritional risk? What were the nurses’ understanding and use of nutritional assessment? Was the nurse's commitment to nutrition inconsistent with their actions and documentation? Results: Nurses’ felt they played a critical role in nutritional risk assessment; ‘it's everyone's responsibility but mainly the nurses and makes a difference in the success of treatment”, this was not reflected in the survey. Their understanding of nutritional risk assessment was apparent ‘you need to get their weight history and what they can eat’but they blamed lack of time and increasing pressures of medicalised tasks, for example drug administration to justify the assessment being observational and ad hoc. The survey of patients’ documentation supported this, 81% of patients had incomplete documentation of their nutritional risk. Discussion: Pressures of workload and conflicting primary tasks influence nurses’ behaviour around nutritional support. The survey of documentation showed that NICE (2006) guidelines have had little impact in practice. Nurses’ are involved in multiple tasks and due to pressures on time and resources have become reactive and not proactive; nutritional assessment is a proactive activity. Conclusions: Lack of recognition the impact ward and organizational culture had on individual behaviour may have been the pivotal factor that led to the inconsistency in understanding and use of nutritional risk assessment. The relationship between nurses’ attitude to nutritional assessment, knowledge of nutrition and practice was complex. The priority of nutrition needs to increase in both the organisation and ward culture in order for nutritional support to be successfully implemented. References Mercadante, S. (1996) Nutrition in cancer patients. Support. Care Cancer 4, 10–20. National Institute for Clinical Excellence. (2006) Nutrition support in adults: oral nutrition support, enteral tube feeding and parenteral nutrition. London: Department of Health. O’Leary Z. (2004) The Essential Guide to doing Research. London: Sage. Read, J.A. et al. (2006) An evaluation of the prevalence of malnutrition in cancer patients’ attending the oncology outpatient oncology clinic. Asia‐Pacific J. Clin.Oncol. 2 , 80–86. Savage, J. & Scott, C. (2005) Patients’ nutritional care in hospital: an ethnographic study of nurses’ role and patients’ experience. London: RCN.     

Challenges in developing national HIV guidelines: experience from the eastern Mediterranean

Objective

To appraise the process of development and clinical content of national human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) clinical practice guidelines of countries in the eastern Mediterranean and to formulate recommendations for future guideline development and adaptation.

Methods

Twenty-three countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean and United Nations Children’s Fund Middle East and North Africa regions were invited to submit national HIV clinical practice guidelines for review. The guideline development methodology was assessed using an adaptation of the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation (AGREE) instrument and guideline content, using a checklist to evaluate concordance with WHO 2006 generic guidelines.

Findings

Twelve countries submitted 20 guidelines developed between 2004 and 2009. Median scores were poor (i.e. < 0.6) for the methodological quality domains of rigour of development, stakeholder involvement and applicability and flexibility. Scores were better for the domains of scope and purpose (median: 0.82, interquartile range, IQR: 0.58–0.89) and clarity and presentation (median: 0.67, IQR: 0.50–0.78). Concerning guideline content, recommended first-line treatment and eligibility criteria for antiretroviral therapy (ART) in adults were in line with WHO recommendations in most guidelines. However, recommendations on antiretroviral prophylaxis for the prevention of vertical HIV transmission, diagnosis and treatment of HIV infection in infants, monitoring patients on ART, treatment failure and co-morbidities were often lacking.

Conclusion

The large majority of national HIV clinical practice guidelines had methodological weaknesses and content inaccuracies. Countries require assistance with the adaptation process to ensure that guidelines are valid and up to date and accurately reflect WHO global clinical care recommendations for patients with HIV.