Dysphagia is a highly prevalent symptom in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and the implantation of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a very frequent event. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of PEG implantation on survival and complications in ALS. An interhospital registry of patients with ALS of six hospitals in the Castilla-León region (Spain) was created between January 2015 and December 2017. The data were compared for those in whom a PEG was implanted and those who it was not. A total of 93 patients were analyzed. The mean age of the patients was 64.63 (17.67) years. A total of 38 patients (38.8%) had a PEG implantation. An improvement in the anthropometric parameters was observed among patients who had a PEG from the beginning of nutritional follow-up compared to those who did not, both in BMI (kg/m²) (PEG: 0 months, 22.06; 6 months, 23.04; p < 0.01; NoPEG: 0 months, 24.59–23.87; p > 0.05). Among the deceased patients, 38 (40.4%) those who had an implanted PEG (20 patients (52.6%) had a longer survival time (PEG: 23 (15–35.5) months; NoPEG 11 (4.75–18.5) months; p = 0.01). A PEG showed a survival benefit among ALS patients. Early implantation of a PEG produced a reduction in admissions associated with complications derived from it.

Background: Muscular ultrasonography is a technique that allows assessing the amount and quality of muscle in a specific body region. The aim of the study was to compare the value of muscle ultrasonography in diagnosis of malnutrition with techniques such as anthropometry, handgrip strength and impedanciometry in patients with oncological pathology. Methods: Cross-sectional study in 43 patients with oncological pathology and high nutritional risk. Classical anthropometry (body mass index (BMI), arm circumference (AC), calf circumference (CC) and estimated appendicular muscle mass index (ASMI)) was performed. Body composition was measured with impedanciometry (BIA), phase angle (PA) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) and muscle ultrasonography of quadriceps rectus femoris (muscle area (MARA) and circumference (MCR) in section transverse). Malnutrition was diagnosed using the GLIM criteria and sarcopenia was assessed using EWGSOP2 criteria. Results: The mean age was 68.26 years (±11.88 years). In total, 23/20 of the patients were men/women. The BMI was 23.51 (4.75) kg/m². The ASMI was 6.40 (1.86) kg/m². The MARA was 3.31 cm² in ultrasonography. In impedanciometry, phase angle was 4.91 (0.75)°; the FFMI was 17.01 kg/m² (±2.65 kg/m²). A positive correlation was observed between the MARA with anthropometric measurements (AC: r = 0.39, p = 0.009; CC: r = 0.44, p < 0.01; ASMI: r = 0.47, p < 0.001); and with BIA (FFMI: r = 0.48, p < 0.01 and PA: r = 0.45, p < 0.001). Differences were observed when comparing the MARA based on the diagnosis of sarcopenia (Sarcopenia: 2.47 cm² (±0.54 cm²); no sarcopenia: 3.65 cm² (±1.34 cm²); p = 0.02). Conclusions: Muscle ultrasonography correlates with body composition measurement techniques such as BIA and anthropometry in patients with cancer.

Background and aims: Meal replacement diets consist of replacing one or more meals with an artificial nutritional supplement. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of one against two meal replacement strategies on body composition and cardiovascular risk parameters in patients with obesity. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was designed with a modified hypocaloric diet with an artificial nutritional preparation replacing one or two meals for three months in patients with obesity and osteoarthritis pending orthopedic surgery. An anthropometric evaluation and a measurement of the body composition were done with bioelectrical impedance measurement at the beginning and at three months. Results: A total of 112 patients were recruited. Fifty-two patients (46.4%) were randomized to one replacement and 60 patients (53.6%) to two meal replacements. Eighty-one patients (72.3%) were women, and the average age was 61 (11.03) years. The percentage of weight loss at three months was 8.27 (4.79)% (one meal replacement: 7.98 (5.97)%; two meal replacements: 8.50 (3.48)%; p = 0.56). A decrease in fat mass measured by the fat mass index (FMI) was detected (one meal replacement: −2.15 (1.45) kg/m² vs. two meal replacements: −2.78 (2.55) kg/m²; p > 0.05), and a relative increase in fat-free mass was observed (one meal replacement: +3.57 (4.61)% vs. two meal replacements: +2.14 (4.45)%; p > 0.05). A decrease in HOMA-IR, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and total cholesterol was observed in both groups without differences between them. Conclusions: The substitution strategies of one or two meal replacements were effective in weight loss and fat mass decrease without differences between the two groups. An improvement in lipid parameters, glycemic control, and systolic blood pressure was observed without differences between strategies.

Objectives: To evaluate in patients admitted for stroke: (1) The frequency of hyperglycaemia associated with enteral nutrition (EN). (2) The risk of morbidity and mortality associated with the development of this type of hyperglycaemia. Methods: A longitudinal observational study was conducted in 115 non-diabetic patients admitted for stroke with EN. Age, functional capacity (Rankin scale), and blood plasma glucose (BPG) were recorded. Hyperglycaemia was considered as: a value higher than 126 mg/dL before the EN and/or a value higher than 150 mg/dL after a week of enteral nutrition. According to this, three groups were differentiated: HyperES: Those who had hyperglycemia before the beginning of the EN (33% patients); NoHyper: those who did not have hyperglycemia before or after (47.8% patients); and HyperEN: Those who did not have hyperglycemia before but suffered it after the beginning of the EN (19.1% patients). Results: The age was 72.72 (15.32) years. A higher rate of mortality was observed in the HyperEN group 45.50%, than HyperES 15.80% or NoHyper: 10.90%). A lower recovery of the oral feeding was observed in those patients of the HyperEN group 27.30%, than HyperES: 42.10% or NoHyper: 61.80%). In the multivariate analysis adjusting for age, sex, and Rankin scale the development of hyperglycemia in those who did not have it at the beginning (HyperEN) was an independent risk factor for non-recovery of the oral feeding (OR: 4.21 (1.20–14.79), p = 0.02); and mortality adjusted for age, sex and Rankin scale (OR: 6.83 (1.76–26.47), p < 0.01). Conclusions: In non-diabetic patients admitted for stroke with EN, the development of hyperglycaemia in relation to enteral nutrition supposes an independent risk factor for mortality and for the non-recovery of the oral feeding.

Introducción La desnutrición relacionada con la enfermedad(DRE) tiene una alta prevalencia e importantes repercusiones clínicas y económicas. Nuestro objetivo es valorar la factibilidad e importancia de establecer una estrategia de cribado nutricional en nuestro medio. Pacientes y métodos Estudio prospectivo realizado en una planta quirúrgica. Se realizó MUST al ingreso y semanalmente, hasta el alta hospitalaria, a todos los pacientes. Cuando fue necesario, se realizó valoración e intervención nutricional así como codificación al alta de los diagnósticos y procedimientos nutricionales. Datos de estancia hospitalaria(EH), costes hospitalarios y parámetros clínicos, fueron analizados posteriormente. Resultados En un 15,6% de pacientes, MUST detectó riesgo de desnutrición (≥2 puntos). Los pacientes con desnutrición al ingreso(DI) presentaron una EH 4 días superior y mayor tasa de mortalidad y de reingresos urgentes en 2,4 y 2,0 veces, respectivamente, un año después del alta hospitalaria. La edad y el ingreso urgente fueron los factores asociados a mayor tasa de mortalidad anual. Un 9% de los pacientes con MUST<2 inicial, sufrieron un deterioro del estado nutricional(DEN) durante el ingreso. Estos pacientes, tuvieron mayor EH(7 días), a igualdad de comorbilidad. Considerando los costes relacionados con la EH, en los pacientes con presentaron DI o DEN, se observó un sobrecoste del 57% y 145%, respectivamente. Conclusión Los pacientes con DI presentaron mayor EH, tasa de mortalidad y de reingresos urgentes un año después del alta hospitalaria. Los pacientes con DI o DEN, ocasionan un sobrecoste económico. El cribaje nutricional, es indispensable para el manejo y detección precoz de la DRE.

The prevention and treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in diabetes through diet and lifestyle have been a topic of much interest over the years. Consideration of the type and amount of carbohydrate, protein and fat is required for optimal blood glucose control, for clinical outcomes related to renal function and for consideration of risk reduction for cardiovascular disease. Depending on the CKD stage different dietary changes should be considered protein-calorie malnutrition is common in chronic kidney disease patients and is a powerful predictor of morbidity and mortality. We review the nutritional management of a diabetic patient throughout the progression of their CKD.