J. J. López Gómez

Effect of nutritional support on survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

INTRODUCTION Malnutrition affects morbidity and mortality of patients with ALS. The nutrition unit should evaluate these patients early and regularly providing the necessary steps in the evolution of the disease. METHODS A retrospective cohort study in which we analyzed 46 patients diagnosed with ALS, 21 of them received nutritional therapy. We studied age, mode of onset, date of entry into a nutritional protocol, placement of PEG and survival. We performed a test of Breslow comparing patients who were at nutritional protocol with those not receiving nutritional support, and those who received early nutritional therapy with those with delayed nutrition. RESULTS There was an increase in median survival for patients in nutritional therapy in bulbar ALS (452 vs 55 days) and in spinal ALS (1,798 vs 357 days) (p = 0.002). The median delay in the initiation of nutritional therapy in spinal ALS was 557 days while in bulbar ALS was 230 days. The survival in the spinal ALS of those who entered into nutritional protocol before the median survival was 325 days to 181 days (p = 0.09) while in bulbar ALS those who entered before had a median survival of 435 days to 177 days (p = 0.38). CONCLUSIONS The entry of patients with ALS in a nutritional protocol increases survival. There is an advantage in the evolution of patients with early nutritional treatment.INTRODUCTION: Malnutrition affects morbidity and mortality of patients with ALS. The nutrition unit should evaluate these patients early and regularly providing the necessary steps in the evolution of the disease. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study in which we analyzed 46 patients diagnosed with ALS, 21 of them received nutritional therapy. We studied age, mode of onset, date of entry into a nutritional protocol, placement of PEG and survival. We performed a test of Breslow comparing patients who were at nutritional protocol with those not receiving nutritional support, and those who received early nutritional therapy with those with delayed nutrition. RESULTS: There was an increase in median survival for patients in nutritional therapy in bulbar ALS (452 vs 55 days) and in spinal ALS (1,798 vs 357 days) (p = 0.002). The median delay in the initiation of nutritional therapy in spinal ALS was 557 days while in bulbar ALS was 230 days. The survival in the spinal ALS of those who entered into nutritional protocol before the median survival was 325 days to 181 days (p = 0.09) while in bulbar ALS those who entered before had a median survival of 435 days to 177 days (p = 0.38). CONCLUSIONS: The entry of patients with ALS in a nutritional protocol increases survival. There is an advantage in the evolution of patients with early nutritional treatment.

The role of the variant in adiponectin gene rs266729 on weight loss and cardiovascular risk factors after a hypocaloric diet with Mediterranean pattern

OBJECTIVES The role of ADIPOQ gene variants on weight loss after a dietary intervention remain unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of rs266729 of the ADIPOQ gene on cardiovascular risk factors and adiposity parameters after adherence to a Mediterranean-type hypocaloric diet. METHOD Eighty-three obese patients were studied before and after 12 wk on a Mediterranean-type hypocaloric diet. Anthropometric parameters and biochemical profiles were measured. The variant of ADIPOQ gene rs266729 was assessed at basal time by polymerase chain reaction at real time. RESULTS Two genotype groups were realized (CC versus CG + GG). The final genotype distribution was 48 patients CC (57.8%), 30 patients CG (36.2%) and 5 patients GG (6%). After dietary intervention with a moderate calorie restriction and in both genotypes, body mass index (BMI), weight, fat mass, systolic blood pressure, and waist circumference decreased. After dietary intervention and in non-G allele carriers (CC versus CG+ GG), glucose (δ: -6.2 ± 1.1 versus -2.9 ± 1.2 mg/dL; P = 0.02), total cholesterol (δ:-15.2 ± 3.1 versus -3.4 ± 2 mg/dL; P = 0.02), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (δ, -14.9 ± 3.1 versus -4.9 ± 1.2 mg/dL; P = 0.01), insulin levels (δ, -4± 0.6 versus 0.7 ± 0.3 UI/L;P = 0.01), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (δ, -1.6 ± 0.4 versus -0.2 ± 0.4 units; P = 0.01), and adiponectin (δ, -10.4 ± 3.1 versus -1.3 ± 1.0 ng/dL; P = 0.01) improved. CONCLUSION After weight loss, the CC genotype of ADIPOQ gene variant (rs266729) is associated with increases in adiponectin levels and decreases of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance after weight loss.

Estudio de tolerancia y aceptacion de una formula enteral hiperproteica enriquecida en fibra

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the gastrointestinal tolerance and acceptance of the new formulation of Isosource Protein ® Fibre® with a new blend of fibers IS50®. METHODS Opened, non-comparative, nonrandomized, descriptive study in patients requiring full enteral tube feeding for at least 7 days. Gastrointestinal tolerance was assessed by daily record of subjective gastrointestinal symptoms by the patient, and objectives behind the abdominal exploration by the researcher for up to 15 days. RESULTS 18 patients were included with a mean age of 67.32 ± 13.8 years, of whom 66.7% were male. The average actual weight of the sample was 68.7 ± 9.8 kg (range: 51-90 kg) and BMI 24.0 ± 4.0 kg/m2 (range: 16.0 to 32.00 kg/m2). The average volume prescribed Isosource Protein® Fiber® was 1580 ± 282.7 ml / day (range: 1200 to 2000 ml/day). 72.22% of the patients received 1500 ml/day, received 16.67% 1750 ml / day, 5.56% received 2000 ml/day and 5.56% received 2500 ml/day. The analysis of the gastrointestinal tolerance of patients revealed that in the first study visit, reported no significant gastrointestinal problems, only one patient indicated the presence of mild constipation. By contrast, in the last study visit, it was observed that two patients reported constipation (mild to moderate) and two patients reported diarrhea (mild and severe). As for the evaluation of gastrointestinal tolerance by the investigator and depositional habit, the results show that in 100% cases tolerance was normal. Regarding the depositional habit, it was observed than the 66.7% of patients had no bowel movements at baseline, compared to 33.4% at the last visit of the patient (p = 0.035). In this sense, a significant increase (p = 0.035) in the mean number of daily bowel movements at the final visit (0.89 ± 0.90, range: 0-3) was observed, compared to the initial visit (0.44 ± 0.78, range: 0-3). CONCLUSIONS Isosource Protein® Fibre® has proved a formula for enteral nutrition well tolerated, with a very low frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms and an improvement in the number of stools, which encourages compliance with the standard prescribed by the health professional and suggest a positive effect on the regulation of intestinal transit.