Gordon L. Jensen

Early enteral administration of a formula (Impact®) supplemented with arginine, nucleotides, and fish oil in intensive care unit patients : results of a multicenter, prospective, randomized, clinical trial

OBJECTIVE To determine if early enteral feeding, in an intensive care unit (ICU) patient population, using a formula supplemented with arginine, dietary nucleotides, and fish oil (Impact), results in a shorter hospital stay and a reduced frequency of infectious complications, when compared with feeding a common use enteral formula (Osmolite.HN). DESIGN A prospective, randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial. SETTING ICUs in eight different hospitals. PATIENTS Of 326 patients enrolled in the study, 296 patients were eligible for analysis. They were admitted to the ICU after an event such as trauma, surgery, or sepsis, and met a risk assessment screen (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II [APACHE II] score of > or = 10, or a Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System score of > or = 20) and study eligibility requirements. Patients were stratified by age (< 60 or > or = 60 yrs of age) and disease (septic or systemic inflammatory response syndrome). INTERVENTIONS Patients were enrolled and full-strength tube feedings were initiated within 48 hrs of the study entry event. Enteral feedings were advanced to a target volume of 60 mL/hr by 96 hrs of the event. One hundred sixty-eight patients were randomized to receive the experimental formula, and 158 patients were randomized to receive the common use control formula. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Both groups tolerated early enteral feeding well, and the frequency of tube feeding-related complications was low. There were no significant differences in nitrogen balance between groups on study days 4 and 7. Patients receiving the experimental formula had a significant (p = .0001) increase in plasma arginine and ornithine concentrations by study day 7. Plasma fatty acid profiles demonstrated higher concentrations of linoleic acid (p < .01) in the patients receiving the common use formula and higher concentrations of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid (p < .01) in the patients receiving the experimental formula. The mortality rate was not different between the groups and was significantly (p < .001) lower than predicted by the admission severity scores in both feeding groups. In patients who received at least 821 mL/day of the experimental formula, the hospital median length of stay was reduced by 8 days (p < .05). In patients stratified as septic, the median length of hospital stay was reduced by 10 days (p < .05), along with a major reduction in the frequency of acquired infections (p < .01) in the patients who received the experimental formula. In the septic subgroup fed at least 821 mL/day, the median length of stay was reduced by 11.5 days, along with a major reduction in acquired infections (both p < .05) in the patients who received the experimental formula. CONCLUSIONS Early enteral feeding of the experimental formula was safe and well tolerated in ICU patients. In patients who received the experimental formula, particularly if they were septic on admission to the study, a substantial reduction in hospital length of stay was observed, along with a significant reduction in the frequency of acquired infections.

Consensus Statement: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Characteristics Recommended for the Identification and Documentation of Adult Malnutrition (Undernutrition)

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy) and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) recommend that a standardized set of diagnostic characteristics be used to identify and document adult malnutrition in routine clinical practice. An etiologically based diagnostic nomenclature that incorporates a current understanding of the role of the inflammatory response on malnutritions incidence, progression, and resolution is proposed. Universal use of a single set of diagnostic characteristics will facilitate malnutritions recognition, contribute to more valid estimates of its prevalence and incidence, guide interventions, and influence expected outcomes. This standardized approach will also help to more accurately predict the human and financial burdens and costs associated with malnutritions prevention and treatment and further ensure the provision of high-quality, cost-effective nutrition care.

Consensus Statement of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics/American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition: Characteristics Recommended for the Identification and Documentation of Adult Malnutrition (Undernutrition)

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy) and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) recommend that a standardized set of diagnostic characteristics be used to identify and document adult malnutrition in routine clinical practice. An etiologically based diagnostic nomenclature that incorporates a current understanding of the role of the inflammatory response on malnutritions incidence, progression, and resolution is proposed. Universal use of a single set of diagnostic characteristics will facilitate malnutritions recognition, contribute to more valid estimates of its prevalence and incidence, guide interventions, and influence expected outcomes. This standardized approach will also help to more accurately predict the human and financial burdens and costs associated with malnutritions prevention and treatment, and further ensure the provision of high quality, cost effective nutritional care.

School‐based Obesity Prevention Programs: An Evidence‐based Review

Objective: This review seeks to examine the effectiveness of school‐based programs for reducing childhood overweight or obesity.

Obesity Is Associated with Functional Decline in Community-Dwelling Rural Older Persons

OBJECTIVES: This investigation sought to examine potential gender differences in the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and functional decline.

Randomized trial of initial trophic versus full-energy enteral nutrition in mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory failure*

Objective:Enteral nutrition is provided to mechanically ventilated patients who cannot eat normally, yet the amount of support needed is unknown. We conducted this randomized, open-label study to test the hypothesis that initial low-volume (i.e., trophic) enteral nutrition would decrease episodes of gastrointestinal intolerance/complications and improve outcomes as compared to initial full-energy enteral nutrition in patients with acute respiratory failure. Design:Randomized, open-label study. Patients:A total of 200 patients with acute respiratory failure expected to require mechanical ventilation for at least 72 hrs. Interventions:Patients were randomized to receive either initial trophic (10 mL/hr) or full-energy enteral nutrition for the initial 6 days of ventilation. Measurements and Main Results:The primary outcome measure was ventilator-free days to day 28. Baseline characteristics were similar between the 98 patients randomized to trophic and the 102 patients randomized to full-energy nutrition. At enrollment, patients had a mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score of 26.9 and a Pao2/Fio2 ratio of 182 and 38% were in shock. Both groups received similar durations of enteral nutrition (5.5 vs. 5.1 days; p = .51). The trophic group received an average of 15.8% ± 11% of goal calories daily through day 6 compared to 74.8% ± 38.5% (p < .001) for the full-energy group. Both groups had a median of 23.0 ventilator-free days (p = .90) and a median of 21.0 intensive-care-unit-free days (p = .64). Mortality to hospital discharge was 22.4% for the trophic group vs. 19.6% for the full-energy group (p = .62). In the first 6 days, the trophic group had trends for less diarrhea (19% vs. 24% of feeding days; p = .08) and significantly fewer episodes of elevated gastric residual volumes (2% vs. 8% of feeding days; p < .001). Conclusion:Initial trophic enteral nutrition resulted in clinical outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory failure similar to those of early full-energy enteral nutrition but with fewer episodes of gastrointestinal intolerance.

Is the Optimal Level of Protein Intake for Older Adults Greater Than the Recommended Dietary Allowance

BACKGROUND Protein is a macronutrient essential for growth, muscle function, immunity and overall tissue homeostasis. Suboptimal protein intake can significantly impact physical function and overall health in older adults. METHODS This article reviews the literature on the recommendations for protein intake in older adults in light of the new evidence linking protein intake with sarcopenia and physical function. Challenges and opportunities for optimal protein nutrition in older persons are discussed. RESULTS Recent metabolic and epidemiological studies suggest that the current recommendations of protein intake may not be adequate for maintenance of physical function and optimal health in older adults. Methodological limitations and novel concepts in protein nutrition are also discussed. CONCLUSION We conclude that new research and novel research methodologies are necessary to establish the protein needs and optimal patterns of protein intake for older persons.

Lipid emulsions in parenteral nutrition of intensive care patients: current thinking and future directions

BackgroundEnergy deficit is a common and serious problem in intensive care units and is associated with increased rates of complications, length of stay, and mortality. Parenteral nutrition (PN), either alone or in combination with enteral nutrition, can improve nutrient delivery to critically ill patients. Lipids provide a key source of calories within PN formulations, preventing or correcting energy deficits and improving outcomes.DiscussionIn this article, we review the role of parenteral lipid emulsions (LEs) in the management of critically ill patients and highlight important biologic activities associated with lipids. Soybean-oil-based LEs with high contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were the first widely used formulations in the intensive care setting. However, they may be associated with increased rates of infection and lipid peroxidation, which can exacerbate oxidative stress. More recently developed parenteral LEs employ partial substitution of soybean oil with oils providing medium-chain triglycerides, ω-9 monounsaturated fatty acids or ω-3 PUFA. Many of these LEs have demonstrated reduced effects on oxidative stress, immune responses, and inflammation. However, the effects of these LEs on clinical outcomes have not been extensively evaluated.ConclusionsOngoing research using adequately designed and well-controlled studies that characterize the biologic properties of LEs should assist clinicians in selecting LEs within the critical care setting. Prescription of PN containing LEs should be based on available clinical data, while considering the individual patient’s physiologic profile and therapeutic requirements.

The Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Self-Reported Functional Limitation Among Older Adults: A Gender Difference

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether there is a gender difference in how body mass index (BMI) relates to self‐reported functional limitation. Also, to evaluate whether the method of categorizing BMI changes the observed results.

Parenteral infusion of long- and medium-chain triglycerides and reticuloendothelial system function in man.

Previous study demonstrated that patients who received total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with standard intermittent infusion of long chain triglyceride (LCT) at 0.13 g kg-1hr-1 over 10 hr for each of three days showed a significant decline in 99Tc-sulfur colloid (TSC) clearance rate by the reticuloendothelial system (RES). The present studies evaluated eight patients who received the same total lipid dose of LCT infused continuously as in a three-in-one admixture, and another nine patients receiving the same amount of fat as a medium chain triglyceride (MCT)/LCT (75%/25%) emulsion intermittently over 10 hr at 0.13 g kg-1hr-1 for three consecutive days. Patients were given continuous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) comprised of protein, 1.5 g kg-1day-1, and dextrose, 4.5 g kg-1day-1. RES function was examined by measuring the clearance rates of intravenously injected TSC while receiving TPN containing only protein and dextrose, and again after three days of fat infusion. Mean (+/- SEM) clearance rate constants before and after continuous LCT infusion were 0.38 +/- 0.09 and 0.41 +/- 0.08 min-1, respectively, while those before and after intermittent MCT/LCT infusion were 0.50 +/- 0.18 and 0.73 +/- 0.24 min-1, respectively. In contrast to intermittent LCT infusion, the administration of continuous LCT or an intermittent MCT/LCT mixture does not impair TSC clearance by the RES. These findings suggest that condensing the daily period of LCT infusion at standard dosage may exceed the rate of metabolic utilization, resulting in increased fat removal and diminished TSC uptake by the RES.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)