Nutritional status of surgical patients and the relationship of nutrition to postoperative outcome.

A preoperative nutritional assessment including anthropometry, biochemical indices and global subjective assessment was performed for 127 patients admitted for elective gastrointestinal surgery. Of these, 24 were subjected to minor surgery, 65 to intermediate surgery and 38 to major procedures. Patients were followed postoperatively, recording complications or mortality. Intermediate and major surgery patients had lower triceps skinfold thickness and mid-arm circumference and greater weight loss than did minor surgery patients. Thirty-six percent of the patients suffered complications. No association was found between preoperative nutritional status and incidence of postoperative complications. Six patients died and they showed greater preoperative weight loss (21 +/- 6.5 vs 12 +/- 1.4%) and lower serum albumin levels (25 +/- 4 vs 35 +/- 1 g/l) than patients who survived complications. Global subjective assessment classified 43% of survivors as malnourished, compared to 100% of patients who died.     

Prognostic role of preoperative nutritional and immunological assessment in the surgical patient

The utilization of delayed hypersensitivity response (DHR) for the identification of high-risk patients with regard to postoperative septic complications is still discussed. The aim of this study was to clarify how much DHR may improve the prognostic capacity of nutritional assessment (NA). Nutritional and immunological evaluations were performed at admission on 405 patients undergoing elective general surgical procedures. Subjects with serum albumin less than or equal to 3.0 g/dl or total iron-binding capacity less than or equal to 220 micrograms/dl or weight loss greater than or equal to 10% with respect to usual body weight were classified as malnourished. DHR was assessed by performing skin tests with four recall antigens: PPD, candida, trichophyton, sk-sd. The incidence of postoperative complications resulted higher among the 187 malnourished patients (31.0%) than in the 218 well-nourished ones (14.2%) (p less than 0.001), and among the 213 anergic patients (29.6%) than in the 192 normal responders (13.5%) (p less than 0.001). To determine how much skin tests may improve the prognostic ability of NA, the relationship between DHR and postoperative complications was also studied in the malnourished and in the well-nourished patients, separately. In the malnourished group, the patients with an impairment of DHR had a higher incidence of postoperative infections than normal responders (p less than 0.05). In the well-nourished group, no significant differences were found between anergic patients and normal responders. In our study, DHR slightly improved the prognostic capacity of NA. Therefore, the first approach to identify the high-risk patients seems to be the unexpensive, quick and available determination of nutritional status.     

Oral dietary supplements in pre- and postoperative surgical patients: a prospective and randomized clinical trial

It has been suggested that the routine provision of oral dietary supplements (ODS) in postoperative surgical patients is of benefit in terms of morbidity and length of hospital stay. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of both pre- and postoperative ODS in patients undergoing an elective laparotomy. Patients requiring elective major gastrointestinal surgery were prospectively randomized into one of four groups: Group I received ODS in addition to normal diet both pre- and postoperatively, Group II were given ODS in the preoperative period only, Group III received ODS only in the postoperative period, and Group IV did not receive any supplements. Assessments of nutritional status, voluntary food intake, weight loss, serum albumin, morbidity and mortality, anxiety and depression, and postoperative activity levels were performed, and comparisons made between the groups. One hundred patients were included in the study. The mean daily energy intake from preoperative ODS was 507 +/- 140 kcal, significantly more than the 252 +/- 195 kcal in the postoperative period (P < 0.001). The postoperative voluntary food intake in patients receiving ODS was not significantly different from that in patients receiving normal diet alone (1090 versus 1268 kcal, 46.2 versus 49.1 g protein, P > 0. 05). All groups demonstrated an overall weight loss, with no significant differences between the groups, and there was no demonstrable effect on clinical outcome. At 6 mo postoperatively there were no differences between the study groups in terms of levels of activity. These results suggest that the routine use of perioperative ODS in well-nourished patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery confers no clinical or functional benefit.     

A cross-sectional study comparing the nutritional status of peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis patients in Korea.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to compare the nutritional status of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) patients in Korea and to validate the nutritional assessment method. DESIGN: For nutritional assessment, we used five nutrition-related indicators, including percentage unplanned weight loss, percentage ideal body weight (IBW), serum albumin, appetite and intake, and any gastrointestinal symptoms affecting intake. A 1-month food frequency interview was conducted by clinical dietitians using food models to estimate energy and protein intake. The validity of the nutritional assessment method was tested by objective measures. PATIENTS/SETTING: A cross-sectional study was conducted in our center for 51 PD patients and 169 HD patients who met the study criteria. In the study, HD patients typically underwent dialysis three times per week, and most PD patients performed four 2-L dialysis exchanges every day. RESULTS: Our data showed a higher incidence of malnutrition in PD patients than in HD patients (33% v 18%) and in diabetics than in nondiabetics. Age, height, and dietary energy intake of the two groups were comparable. In PD patients, however, duration of dialysis treatment (23.9 +/- 19.1 months v 41.8 +/- 31.7 months, P < 0.001) and serum albumin (35.2 +/- 5.0 g/L v 39. 7 +/- 3.4 g/L, P < 0.0001) were significantly lower, whereas percentage IBW (108.1% +/- 12.4% v 96.2% +/- 11.6%, P < 0.0001) and dietary protein intake (1.12 +/- 0.34 g/kg IBW v 0.98 +/- 0.31 g/kg IBW, P < 0.05) were significantly higher than in HD patients. In malnourished PD and HD patients, percentage IBW, serum albumin, dietary energy, and protein intake were significantly lower than in well-nourished counterparts. CONCLUSION: A higher incidence of malnutrition was observed in PD patients than in HD patients. Nutritional profile of PD patients was different from that of HD patients. Higher body weight and lower serum albumin in PD patients did not seem to be related to dietary energy and protein intake. The five nutritional indicators can be used as a simple inexpensive and reliable method for the early detection of malnutrition in dialysis patients.     

Nutritional status,nutrition practices and post‐operative complications in patients with gastrointestinal cancer

Background: Malnutrition and its associated complications are a considerable issue for surgical patients with upper gastrointestinal and colorectal cancer. The present study aimed to determine whether specific perioperative nutritional practices and protocols are associated with improved patient outcomes in this group. Methods: Patients admitted for elective upper gastrointestinal or colorectal cancer surgery (n = 95) over a 19‐month period underwent a medical history audit assessing weight changes, nutritional intake, biochemistry, post‐operative complications and length of stay. A subset of patients (n = 25) underwent nutritional assessment by subjective global assessment prior to surgery in addition to assessment of post‐operative medical outcomes, nutritional intake and timing of dietetic intervention. Results: Mean (SD) length of stay for patients was 14.0 (12.2) days, with complication rates at 35%. Length of stay was significantly longer in patients who experienced significant preoperative weight loss compared to those who did not [17.0 (15.8) days versus 10.0 (6.8) days, respectively; P < 0.05]. Low albumin and post‐operative weight loss were also predictive of increased length of stay. Of patients who underwent nutritional assessment, 32% were classified as mild–moderately malnourished and 16% severely malnourished. Malnourished patients were hospitalised twice as long as well‐nourished patients [15.8 (12.8) days versus 7.6 (3.5) days; P < 0.05]. Time taken [6.9 (3.6) days] to achieve adequate nutrition post surgery was a factor in post‐operative outcomes, with a positive correlation with length of stay (r = 0.493; P < 0.01), a negative correlation with post‐operative weight change (r = ?0.417; P < 0.05) and a greater risk of complications (52% versus 13%; P < 0.01). Conclusions: Malnutrition is prevalent among surgical patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Poor nutritional status coupled with delayed and inadequate post‐operative nutrition practices are associated with worse clinical outcomes.     

Nutritional status of surgical patients and the relationship of nutrition to postoperative outcome.

A preoperative nutritional assessment including anthropometry, biochemical indices and global subjective assessment was performed for 127 patients admitted for elective gastrointestinal surgery. Of these, 24 were subjected to minor surgery, 65 to intermediate surgery and 38 to major procedures. Patients were followed postoperatively, recording complications or mortality. Intermediate and major surgery patients had lower triceps skinfold thickness and mid-arm circumference and greater weight loss than did minor surgery patients. Thirty-six percent of the patients suffered complications. No association was found between preoperative nutritional status and incidence of postoperative complications. Six patients died and they showed greater preoperative weight loss (21 +/? 6.5 vs 12 +/? 1.4%) and lower serum albumin levels (25 +/? 4 vs 35 +/? 1 g/l) than patients who survived complications. Global subjective assessment classified 43% of survivors as malnourished, compared to 100% of patients who died.     

Low levels of glutathione in endoscopic biopsies of patients with Crohn's colitis: the role of malnutrition

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: During active Crohn's disease, generation of free radicals is increased, and nutritional depletion is frequent. We investigated the glutathione concentration of the colonic mucosa in biopsies from patients with active Crohn's colitis depending on nutritional status. METHODS: Endoscopic biopsies were taken in 10 well-nourished control patients, and 18 patients with active Crohn's disease (11 well-nourished, seven malnourished with a recent weight loss > 10 %). Colonic biopsies were taken from healthy and inflamed mucosa and analysed for total glutathione concentration. RESULTS: Mucosal glutathione concentration (nmol/mg wet tissue) was lower in patients with active colitis both in diseased and healthy mucosa as compared with controls (1.89 +/- 0.39, 2.08 +/- 0.4 and 6.69 +/- 4. 94, respectively, P< 0.05). Mucosal glutathione was lower in healthy mucosa from malnourished versus well-nourished patients: 1.8 +/- 0.2 vs 2.3 +/- 0.37 (P= 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Mucosal glutathione is markedly lower in active Crohn's colitis, even in healthy mucosa; glutathione depletion tends to be more severe in malnourished patients. Glutathione depletion may be related in part to malnutrition and contribute to a prolonged evolution of disease and could be a target for pharmacological and nutritional support.     

Nutrition périopératoire : protocoles de soins

Based on texts written by experts, the objective of this paper is to propose a practical approach to nutrition for clinicians, according to the nutritional status of patients and the evaluation of surgical risk. Any patient with a nutritional grade greater than or equal to 2 should benefit from nutritional support. Indeed, current data confirm that preoperative and early nutritional support in surgery at risk can reduce significantly postoperative morbidity for patients with non-malnourished (immunonutrition in cancer surgery GI), and the morbidity and mortality in malnourished patients (enteral nutrition when possible). A preoperative oral intake is recommended 2 to 3 hours before elective surgery for clear fluids and 6 hours for a light meal. Moreover, a preoperative oral intake of carbohydrates (maltodextrin 12.5%) is recommended (except in diabetic patients). Postoperatively, early oral feeding (within 24 hours) is recommended in the absence of cons to surgery. Glutamine is recommended in case of postoperative complications.     

Preoperative parenteral nutrition in the high risk surgical patient

In order to assess the significance of malnutrition in determining surgical complications and the possibility of their reduction by preoperative nutritional support (PNS), a randomized controlled trial is being performed at our institution. The results relative to 100 patients who underwent major surgery for gastrointestinal disease, are presented here. In the treatment group 49 patients received 30 kcal/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day of nitrogen for at least 7 days in the immediate preoperative period (nine patients were excluded from this group due to early surgery--seven cases; or refusal to accept PNS--two cases. Data analysis with their inclusion or exclusion showed similar results.) Fifty-one patients constituted the control group. The observed septic complication rate was, respectively, 30 and 35.3% (p:NS). When the analysis was restricted to the patients with abnormal instant nutritional assessment (INA), as defined by Seltzer et al (serum albumin less than 3.5 g/dl and/or total lymphocyte count less than 1500 cells/mm3), a statistically significant difference was observed in the incidence of sepsis between the two subgroups (21% vs 53.3%, p less than 0.05). Analogous results were obtained from the patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer: 16.7% of septic complications in the malnourished treated patients and 100% in the malnourished control ones (p less than 0.05). The occurrence of serious sepsis (sepsis score greater than or equal to 10, according to the scoring system developed by Elebute and Stoner) in the malnourished subgroups was 5.2% and 26.7%, respectively, (p = 0.09). The postoperative mortality rate was not significantly changed by the PNS (reduction from 3.9% to 2.5%, p:NS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Improvement of nutritional measures during preoperative parenteral nutrition in patients selected by the prognostic nutritional index: a randomized controlled trial

Patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery who had a prognostic nutritional index (PNI) score of greater than 30% were randomized to receive a preoperative course of 10 days of intravenous nutrition or to undergo surgery at the next convenient operation list. Two groups of 17 patients were well matched for age, sex, and nutritional status. Although they underwent diverse operations, the extent of these was similar: 12 +/- 3 days of parenteral nutrition resulted in weight gain, 3.2 +/- 2.3 kg p less than 0.01; increased triceps skinfold, 0.6 +/- 1.2 mm p less than 0.05; improved immunological state, p less than 0.02; and improved PNI, 5.5 +/- 10.1% p less than 0.05. The changes in serum albumin and transferrin were not significant. There were only three major complications with one death in the treatment group but this was not significantly different from the control group which had six major complications and three deaths. This study suggests that patients with demonstrable nutritional depletion who require major gastrointestinal surgery will benefit from a preoperative course of parenteral nutrition, but to conclusively prove this a large and probably multicentre study will be required.     

Preoperative nutritional status and prognostic nutritional index in patients with benign disease undergoing abdominal operations–Part I.

The aim of the first part of this study was to detect the incidence of preoperative malnutrition of clinical importance in patients with benign disease.

The preoperative nutritional status of 52 consecutive adult patients undergoing abdominal operations for benign conditions was studied prospectively by objective and subjective nutritional criteria. The postoperative outcome was monitored until discharge or death. The preoperative nutritional status was correlated with the postoperative outcome.

Protein energy malnutrition was identified in 20 (38%) of the 52 patients. Of these 20 malnourished patients, 15 (75%) developed complications after surgery, compared with 7 (22%) of the 32 well-nourished patients (p < 0.01). The most common abnormal values were serum transferrin concentration (n = 8), subscapula skinfold (n = 11), serum urea:serum creatinine ratio (n = 17), loss of appetite for more than 5 days (n = 24), and preoperative stay in hospital of longer than 5 days (n = 19).

These results indicate that a combination of objective and subjective criteria may be important in the identification of clinical malnutrition.     

Why don’t elderly hospital inpatients eat adequately?

Background: Malnutrition is common among older hospital patients and contributes to poor clinical outcomes. Poor intake among this group of patients could be due to a variety of factors.Objective: To better understand the causes and consequences of inadequate food intake among hospitalised elderly patients, specifically: to determine (i) the prevalence of factors contributory to inadequate food intake, (ii) the relationship of these factors to nutritional status and course of hospital stay.Design: A longitudinal observational study of a convenience sample.Setting: Inpatients of an inner city elderly care unit in the UK.Methods: One hundred patients (mean 81.7 years (sd 7.2); 27 male, 73 female) were observed twice weekly, from admission to discharge/maximum of 4 weeks. Anthropometric assessments of nutritional status were made on admission and discharge. At each visit, adequacy of intake in the preceding 24-hour period, and reasons for inadequate intake, were determined using nurse observations, food-charts, case-notes, and interviews of patients/carers. With all available information, adequacy was estimated whether the subject had consumed at least three-quarters of their standard diet along with any prescribed food supplements. Inadequate nutritional intake was defined as completing less than this amount.Results: On admission, 21 patients were malnourished [below the 10th percentile for demiquet (weight/demispan2) for males or mindex (weight/demispan) for females. Three patients became malnourished during their stay. At 285/425 assessments (67%), patients were judged to be eating inadequately. Acute illness, anorexia, catering limitations and oral problems were the most prevalent reasons for inadequate intake during the earlier part of patients’ hospital stay. Confusion, low mood and dysphagia remained prevalent throughout. Compared to well-nourished patients (n=67), malnourished patients (n=24) had higher prevalence of oral problems (22%v6%;p<0.001), mood/anxiety disturbances (33%v19%;p=0.02), anorexia (38%v23%;p=0.02) and catering limitations (34%v12%;p<0.001), but lower prevalence of dysphagia (4%v13%,p=0.015). Of 51 patients in hospital for less than 10days, 36 were eating inadequately.Conclusion: Reasons for inadequate intake vary according to stage of hospital stay and nutritional status. Inadequate intake in the early stage after admission is mainly due to self-limiting temporary factors associated with acute illness.     

Nutritional rehabilitation in Bangladesh--the importance of zinc

Our aim was to investigate whether zinc deficiency becomes apparent during nutritional rehabilitation and limits the rate of weight gain. Twenty-five severely malnourished children, who were admitted to the Children's Nutrition Unit in Bangladesh, were alternately allocated to two groups. Their mean dietary Zn intake was 3.7 mg/d and mean caloric intake greater than 150 kcal.kg-1.d-1; one group received a daily Zn supplement of 50 mg for 2 wk. During the first week, weight gain was similar in the two groups, but during the second week, weight gain was 73% more in the Zn-supplemented group (8.83 +/- 1.56 vs 5.09 +/- 1.62 g.kg-1.d-1). The 95% confidence limits were 0.88 less to 8.36 g.kg-1.d-1 more gain in children receiving Zn supplements. The results strongly suggest that Zn supplements are beneficial to severely malnourished children during nutritional rehabilitation. Polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell Zn increased in the group receiving Zn supplements (p less than 0.001), confirming that the Zn content of PMN cells reflects available Zn.     

Nutrition dans la période postopératoire (dont urgence)

Policies which tend to reduce surgical stress and therefore decrease catabolism and to improve anabolism could allow patients to recover more quickly and efficiently even after major surgery. In most instances, interruption of nutritional intake is not necessary after surgery. Oral intake can be started as soon as possible within the first 24 hours unless surgical contra-indication. Oral intake should be adjusted according to patient's tolerance. In patients without overt under-nutrition, postoperative nutritional support for periods of less than 7 days is not indicated. However, nutritional support is recommended when postoperative food intakes reach less than 60% of daily needs for 7 days. Moreover, early nutritional support should probably be administered if expected postoperative food intake will be less than 60% of daily needs for more than 7 days. In malnourished patients, nutritional support (using enteral rather than parenteral route) is strongly recommended within the first postoperative 24 hours regardless of preoperative nutritional support.     

A critical appraisal of the usefulness of perioperative nutritional support.

Preoperative malnutrition is often associated with poor postoperative outcome, yet there is no consensus about whether perioperative nutritional support reduces postoperative complications to the level occurring in well-nourished patients undergoing similar procedures. This is partly because reports evaluating effect of perioperative nutritional support on postoperative outcome vary widely in number of patients studied, primary diagnosis, and duration and quality of perioperative nutritional support. These concerns warrant caution in interpreting reported results, even of randomized studies. However, analysis of published reports suggests that when total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is given to malnourished patients in adequate amounts for greater than or equal to 7-15 d preoperatively, significant improvements in both nutritional status and postoperative clinical outcome are likely to occur. Preoperative total enteral nutrition (TEN) is as effective as TPN in improving postoperative clinical outcome. Postoperative TPN, TEN, and ad libitum oral nutrition are equally effective in reducing postoperative complications. Potential candidates for surgery for whom prompt initiation of preoperative TPN or TEN may reduce operative morbidity and mortality irrespective of nutritional status can be identified on admission.     

Early malnourished rats are not affected by anorexia induced by a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor in adult life

The effect of early postnatal malnutrition upon food intake and its modulation by the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) citalopram, was investigated in adult rats. Sixty four Wistar rats were allocated to two groups, according to their mother's diet during lactation. Mothers receiving a 23% protein diet fed the well-nourished group; mothers receiving 8% protein diet fed the malnourished. After weaning, all rats received the 23% protein diet ad libitum. On the 120th day after birth, each nutritional group was divided in two subgroups (each one, n = 16) which received a single daily injection of citalopram (10 mg/kg) or saline (0.9% NaCl) for 14 days. Chronic treatment with citalopram decreased both the food intake and weight gain in the well-nourished rats, but not in the malnourished ones. These data are consistent with findings concerning the nutritional manipulation of the nervous system during its higher vulnerable phase, suggesting that early malnutrition alters the effect of treatment of SSRI in adult rats, and that malnutrition during the critical period of brain development affects the serotoninergic system.     

Impact of nutritional status on DRG length of stay

A prospective audit of 100 admissions to a general medical unit was performed to determine the relationship of the initial nutritional status of the patients to the actual length of stay and hospital charges. These data then were compared with the allowed length of stay and estimated reimbursement under the prospective payment system of diagnosis-related groups (DRGs). Forty-five percent of the malnourished patients were hospitalized longer than that allowed under DRGs, compared to 30% for normal patients and 37% in the borderline group. The average length of stay was 15.6 +/- 2.2 days in the malnourished group compared to approximately 10 days in the other two groups (p less than 0.01). Although the estimated base DRG reimbursement was similar in all three groups ($4352-$5124), the actual hospital charges were significantly greater in the malnourished ($16,691 +/- 4389) and borderline ($14,118 +/- 4962) groups compared to normals ($7692 +/- 687), (p less than 0.01). The DRG system will have an adverse financial impact in the care of malnourished patients. It is suggested that early recognition of malnutrition and aggressive treatment may lead to a decrease in the length of stay and cost deficit incurred by malnourished patients.     

The impact of malnutrition on morbidity,mortality, length of hospital stay and costs evaluated through a multivariate model analysis

Malnutrition has been identified as affecting patient outcome. The purpose of this study was to correlate the nutritional status of hospitalized patients with their morbidity, mortality, length of hospital stay and costs. The patients were nutritionally assessed within the first 72 h of hospital admission. The patients' charts were surveyed on the incidence of complications and mortality. Hospital costs were calculated based on economic tables used by insurance companies. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and the Cox regression model were used to identify possible confounding factors. A P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The mean age was 50.6+/-17.3 years with 50.2% being male. The incidence of complications in the malnourished was 27.0% [Relative risk (RR)=1.60]. Mortality in the malnourished patients was 12.4% vs 4.7% in the well nourished (RR = 2.63). Malnourished patients stayed in the hospital for 16.7+/-24.5 days vs 10.1+/-11.7 days in the nourished. Hospital costs in malnourished patients were increased up to 308.9%. It was concluded that malnutrition, as analyzed by a multivariate logistic regression model, is an independent risk factor impacting on higher complications and increased mortality, length of hospital stay and costs.     

Muscle protein degradation in severely malnourished patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease subject to short-term total parenteral nutrition.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often lose weight and muscle mass with progression of the disease. Muscle protein degradation in patients with COPD has never been examined before and during hypercaloric feeding. Eight severely malnourished patients with COPD were examined at home consuming their usual intake, in the hospital after 3 days of a meat-free regular oral diet (period B), and during a hypercaloric (55 kcal/kg) high-lipid (55%) parenteral formula (total parenteral nutrition [TPN]). During period B, 8 well-nourished patients and 10 malnourished cancer patients were used as control groups. Measurements included plasma assays, leg blood flow, leg exchange (of 3-methylhistidine [3MeH], glucose, lactate, and oxygen) and urinary measures of 3MeH, creatinine, and nitrogen. During period B, net release of 3MeH across the leg in patients with COPD was similar to that in well-nourished control subjects and cachectic cancer patients. In COPD patients, there was only a transient decrease in leg exchange values of 3MeH with administration of TPN. COPD patients demonstrated a reduction (p less than .01) in urinary 3MeH excretion and an increase in nitrogen balance (p less than .01) with TPN compared with period B. The decrease in muscle protein degradation with administration of TPN accounts for about 50% of the increase in nitrogen retention in patients with COPD. These data suggest that in severely malnourished patients with COPD the weight loss is not dependent on increased rates of skeletal muscle protein degradation; nevertheless, degradation rates attenuate with a positive nitrogen balance during nutrition repletion.