Nutrition
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To evaluate whether changes in hydration status (reflecting fluid retention) would be detected by bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) and phase angle during hospitalization for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and after clinical stabilization. ⋯ BIVA and phase angle were able to detect significant changes in hydration status during ADHF, which paralleled the clinical course of recompensation, both acutely and chronically. The classification of congestion by BIVA at admission identified patients with more pronounced changes in weight and dyspnea during compensation.
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The central point of the HIV lipodystrophy syndrome is changes in body composition that mainly involve the loss of fat in the limbs and face (lipoatrophy) and/or fat gain in the abdominal region and back neck (lipohypertrophy). Currently, the determination of fat per body segment in this group can be obtained by imaging methods such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) but not by methods that would be more feasible in the practical clinics. The aim of this study was to develop equations to estimate total body fat and fat in each segment using anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) variables in HIV-seropositive patients. ⋯ The equations proposed in this study allow the assessment of total body fat and fat per body segment with data obtained from accessible, accurate, and reliable methods used in clinical practice.
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Prior studies have shown that dietary gluten avoidance (DGA) is relatively common in children without previously diagnosed celiac disease (CD), and several clinical predictors of DGA have been found. However, available data on predictors of DGA in adults without diagnosed CD are limited. The aim of this study was to determine the independent predictors of DGA in this population. ⋯ Gluten avoidance is common in a clinic population of adults without prior CD diagnosis. The recognized predictors suggest that DGA may associate with conditions presenting with nonspecific gastrointestinal complaints and perhaps with the perceived benefits of DGA among patients with prior history of positive CD serology.
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Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) and phase angle (PA) have been shown previously to indicate relative nutritional status in patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the application of BIVA and PA assessments in a cohort of frail older hospital patients and compare these assessments with malnutrition risk screening by MUST (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool), and the MNA-SF(®) (Mini-Nutritional Assessment-Short Form). ⋯ The significant reduction in xC component and PA is consistent with other studies and is indicative of a reduced body cell mass and nutritional status with aging and illness. The general trend in MNA-SF scoring was more consistent with these patterns as a group; but requires clarification in larger cohorts. Future studies are necessary with an aim to improve and optimize care of frail older people.
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Sarcopenia is characterized by the loss of skeletal muscle mass, and is reported to appear in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with LC, and to test the association between sarcopenia and patient outcomes. We also analyzed the effect of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation on sarcopenic LC. ⋯ Sarcopenia is significantly associated with mortality in patients with LC. BCAA supplementation might be associated with improved survival of such patients.