J. Scott Parrott

Systematic Review of the Influence of Energy and Protein Intake on Protein Balance in Critically Ill Children

OBJECTIVE To examine the influence of protein and energy intakes on protein balance in children receiving mechanical ventilation in the pediatric intensive care unit. STUDY DESIGN We hypothesized that higher energy and protein intakes are correlated with positive protein balance. We performed a systematic literature search to identify studies reporting protein balance in children requiring mechanical ventilation. Factors contributing to protein balance, including protein and energy intake, age, illness severity, study design, and feeding routes, were analyzed using a qualitative approach. RESULTS Nine studies met the entry criteria and were included in the final analysis. Positive nitrogen balance was reported in 6 of the studies, with a wide range of associated energy and protein intakes. Measures of central tendency for daily energy and protein intakes were significantly correlated with positive protein balance. A minimum intake of 57 kcal/kg/day and 1.5 g protein/kg/day were required to achieve positive protein balance. CONCLUSION We found a correlation between higher energy and protein intakes and achievement of positive protein balance in children receiving mechanical ventilation in the pediatric intensive care unit. However, there is a paucity of interventional studies, and a variety of protocols have been used to determine nitrogen balance. Larger clinical trials with uniform methodology are needed to further examine the effect of energy and protein intake on protein balance, lean body mass, and clinical outcomes in children on mechanical ventilation.

Nutritional Status Based on Body Mass Index Is Associated With Morbidity and Mortality in Mechanically Ventilated Critically Ill Children in the PICU.

Objective:To determine the influence of admission anthropometry on clinical outcomes in mechanically ventilated children in the PICU. Design:Data from two multicenter cohort studies were compiled to examine the unique contribution of nutritional status, defined by body mass index z score, to 60-day mortality, hospital-acquired infections, length of hospital stay, and ventilator-free days, using multivariate analysis. Setting:Ninety PICUs from 16 countries with eight or more beds. Patients:Children aged 1 month to 18 years, admitted to each participating PICU and requiring mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours. Measurements and Main Results:Data from 1,622 eligible patients, 54.8% men and mean (SD) age 4.5 years (5.1), were analyzed. Subjects were classified as underweight (17.9%), normal weight (54.2%), overweight (14.5%), and obese (13.4%) based on body mass index z score at admission. After adjusting for severity of illness and site, the odds of 60-day mortality were higher in underweight (odds ratio, 1.53; p < 0.001) children. The odds of hospital-acquired infections were higher in underweight (odds ratio, 1.88; p = 0.008) and obese (odds ratio, 1.64; p < 0.001) children. Hazard ratios for hospital discharge were lower among underweight (hazard ratio, 0.71; p < 0.001) and obese (hazard ratio, 0.82; p = 0.04) children. Underweight was associated with 1.3 (p = 0.001) and 1.6 (p < 0.001) fewer ventilator-free days than normal weight and overweight, respectively. Conclusions:Malnutrition is prevalent in mechanically ventilated children on admission to PICUs worldwide. Classification as underweight or obese was associated with higher risk of hospital-acquired infections and lower likelihood of hospital discharge. Underweight children had a higher risk of mortality and fewer ventilator-free days.

The mean dietary protein intake at different stages of chronic kidney disease is higher than current guidelines

The actual dietary protein intake of adults without and with different stages of chronic kidney disease is not known. To evaluate this we performed cross-sectional analyses of 16,872 adults (20 years of age and older) participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2008 who completed a dietary interview by stage of kidney disease. Dietary protein intake was assessed from 24-h recall systematically collected using the Automated Multiple Pass Method. Complex survey analyses were used to derive population estimates of dietary protein intake at each stage of chronic kidney disease. Using dietary protein intake of adults without chronic kidney disease as the comparator, and after adjusting for age, the mean dietary protein intake was 1.30 g/kg ideal body weight/day (g/kgIBW/d) and was not different from stage 1 or stage 2 (1.28 and 1.25 g/kgIBW/d, respectively), but was significantly different in stage 3 and stage 4 (1.22 and 1.13 g/kgIBW/d, respectively). These mean values appear to be above the Institute of Medicine requirements for healthy adults and the NKF-KDOQI guidelines for stages 3 and 4 chronic kidney disease. Thus, the mean dietary protein intake is higher than current guidelines, even after adjusting for age.

Funding source and research report quality in nutrition practice-related research.

Background The source of funding is one of many possible causes of bias in scientific research. One method of detecting potential for bias is to evaluate the quality of research reports. Research exploring the relationship between funding source and nutrition-related research report quality is limited and in other disciplines the findings are mixed. Objective The purpose of this study is to determine whether types of funding sources of nutrition research are associated with differences in research report quality. Design A retrospective study of research reporting quality, research design and funding source was conducted on 2539 peer reviewed research articles from the American Dietetic Associations Evidence Analysis Library® database. Results Quality rating frequency distributions indicate 43.3% of research reports were rated as positive, 50.1% neutral, and 6.6% as negative. Multinomial logistic regression results showed that while both funding source and type of research design are significant predictors of quality ratings (χ2 = 118.99, p<0.001), the models usefulness in predicting overall research report quality is little better than chance. Compared to research reports with government funding, those not acknowledging any funding sources, followed by studies with University/hospital funding were more likely to receive neutral vs positive quality ratings, OR = 1.85, P <0.001 and OR = 1.54, P<0.001, respectively and those that did not report funding were more likely to receive negative quality ratings (OR = 4.97, P<0.001). After controlling for research design, industry funded research reports were no more likely to receive a neutral or negative quality rating than those funded by government sources. Conclusion Research report quality cannot be accurately predicted from the funding source after controlling for research design. Continued vigilance to evaluate the quality of all research regardless of the funding source and to further understand other factors that affect quality ratings are warranted.

Impact of 100% Fruit Juice Consumption on Diet and Weight Status of Children: An Evidence-based Review

Consumption of 100% fruit juice remains controversial for its potential adverse impact on weight and displacement of essential foods in the diets of children. A systematic review of the literature published from 1995–2013 was conducted using the PubMed database to evaluate associations between intake of 100% fruit juice and weight/adiposity and nutrient intake/adequacy among children of 1 to 18 years of age. Weight status outcome measures included body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score, ponderal index, obesity, weight gain, adiposity measures, and body composition. Nutrient outcome measures included intake and adequacy of shortfall nutrients. Data extraction and analysis was conducted according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Analysis Process. Twenty-two studies on weight status provided evidence that did not support an association between 100% fruit juice consumption and weight/adiposity in children after controlling for energy intake. Limited evidence from eight studies suggests that children consuming 100% fruit juice have higher intake and adequacy of dietary fiber, vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium. Differences in methodology and study designs preclude causal determination of 100% fruit juice as sole influencer of weight status or nutrient intake/adequacy of shortfall nutrients. In context of a healthy dietary pattern, evidence suggests that consumption of 100% fruit juice may provide beneficial nutrients without contributing to pediatric obesity.

Effects of Intermittent Versus Continuous Walking on Distance Walked and Fatigue in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Background and Purpose: Fatigue is a common, disabling symptom experienced by persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Evidence shows that intermittent exercise is associated in improved performance and negligible fatigue. The purpose of this study was to examine whether subjects with MS walk greater distances with less fatigue under intermittent (INT) or continuous (CONT) walking condition. Methods: Twenty-seven subjects with MS (median Extended Disability Severity Scale 3.5, interquartile range 1.6) walked in the CONT (ie, 6 uninterrupted minutes) and INT (ie, three 2-minute walking bouts) conditions in a randomized crossover. Distance was measured for the entire 6-minute walking period and each 2-minute increment. Fatigue was measured as the difference in a visual analog scale of fatigue (&Dgr;VAS-F) immediately preceding and following each trial. Results: Participants walked greater distances in the INT condition compared to the CONT condition (P = 0.005). There was a significant interaction of walking condition and time (P < 0.001), indicating that the distances walked in the INT condition changed across time. &Dgr;VAS-F was significantly lower in the INT condition than in the CONT condition (P = 0.036). Discussion and Conclusion: Subjects with MS walked farther, and with less fatigue, when walking intermittently rather than continuously. Persons with MS may be able to tolerate a greater dose of walking training if the walking bouts are intermittent. Further study to determine the benefits of a walking exercise program using intermittent walking is recommended. Video Abstract available for additional insights from the authors (Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A103).

Development and Validation of the Guide for Effective Nutrition Interventions and Education (GENIE): A Tool for Assessing the Quality of Proposed Nutrition Education Programs.

OBJECTIVE To develop and validate the Guide for Effective Nutrition Interventions and Education (GENIE), a checklist of research-based quality indicators for nutrition education programs. DESIGN A prospective test of criterion validity and inter-rater reliability of a new tool comparing expert assessments and trained reviewer GENIE scores of the same nutrition education proposals. PARTICIPANTS Ten nutrition education experts; 13 volunteer reviewers. VARIABLES MEASURED GENIEs face, content, and criterion validity and inter-rater reliability compared using expert assessments and reviewer objective and subjective scores. ANALYSIS Reviewer scores compared using Spearman correlation. Inter-rater reliability tested using intra-class correlation (ICC), Cronbach alpha, and ANOVA. Criterion validity tested using independent t test and point bi-serial correlation to compare reviewer with expert scores. RESULTS Correlation found between total objective and total subjective scores. Agreement found between reviewers across proposals and categories considering subjective scores (F = 7.21, P < .001; ICC = 0.76 [confidence interval, 0.53-0.92]) and objective scores (F = 7.88, P < .001; ICC = 0.82 [confidence interval, 0.63-0.94]). Relationship was not significant (r = .564, P = .06) between expert and reviewer proposal scoring groups (high, medium, and low). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Results support the validity and reliability of GENIE as a tool for nutrition education practitioners, researchers, and program funding agencies to accurately assess the quality of a variety of nutrition program plans.

Building social networks for health promotion: Shout-out Health, New Jersey, 2011.

Background Building social networks for health promotion in high-poverty areas may reduce health disparities. Community involvement provides a mechanism to reach at-risk people with culturally tailored health information. Shout-out Health was a feasibility project to provide opportunity and support for women at risk for or living with human immunodeficiency virus infection to carry out health promotion within their informal social networks. Community Context The Shout-out Health project was designed by an academic–community agency team. During 3 months, health promotion topics were chosen, developed, and delivered to community members within informal social networks by participants living in Paterson and Jersey City, New Jersey. Methods We recruited women from our community agency partner’s clients; 57 women participated in in-person or online meetings facilitated by our team. The participants identified and developed the health topics, and we discussed each topic and checked it for message accuracy before the participants provided health promotion within their informal social networks. The primary outcome for evaluating feasibility included the women’s feedback about their experiences and the number of times they provided health promotion in the community. Other data collection included participant questionnaires and community-recipient evaluations. Outcome More than half of the participants reported substantial life challenges, such as unemployment and housing problems, yet with technical support and a modest stipend, women in both groups successfully provided health promotion to 5,861 people within their informal social networks. Interpretation Shout-out Health was feasible and has implications for building social networks to disseminate health information and reduce health disparities in communities.

Effect of pharmacist intervention on improving antidepressant medication adherence and depression symptomology: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Depression is a widespread disease with effective pharmacological treatments, but low medication adherence. Pharmacists play a key role in supporting medication adherence in patients with depression given their accessibility to patients. Purpose: The aim of this review was to systematically evaluate the impact of pharmacist interventions on adherence to antidepressants and clinical symptomology among adult outpatients with depressive disorders. Methods: A systematic review of controlled trials (both randomized and non‐randomized) was conducted. Studies were obtained through a search of PubMed, Academic Search Premier, and Cochrane Library databases. Studies which included a pharmacist intervention to improve medication adherence in outpatients age 17 and above with a depressive disorder diagnosis and antidepressant treatment were included. Twelve publications met inclusion criteria, representing a total of 15,087 subjects: 1379 (9%) intervention and 13,708 (91%) control. Results: The interventions in each selected publication included some level of in‐person counseling and education to promote antidepressant adherence. The pooled odds ratio for medication adherence at 6 months was 2.50 (95% CI 1.62 to 3.86). There were no significant differences noted in subgroup meta‐analyses except study location (US, Middle East or Europe) and setting. Only one of the identified studies reported statistically significant impacts of the pharmacist intervention on patient depression symptoms. Conclusions: The findings suggest that pharmacist interventions can enhance patient adherence to antidepressant medication in adult outpatients. However, this review failed to demonstrate a positive effect of these interventions on clinical symptoms. Additional longitudinal research is recommended to investigate the multidimensional relationships between pharmacist interventions, patient adherence, and clinical outcomes. Article synopsis: Pharmacists play a key role in supporting medication adherence in patients with depression given their accessibility to patients. The purpose of this review was to systematically evaluate the impact of pharmacist interventions on adherence to antidepressants and clinical symptomology among adult outpatients with depressive disorders. A systematic review of randomized and non‐randomized controlled trials was conducted of the twelve studies which met inclusion criteria. The findings suggest that pharmacist interventions can enhance patient adherence to antidepressant medication in adult outpatients. However, this review failed to demonstrate a positive effect of these interventions on clinical symptoms.

Abbreviated Steady State Intervals for Measuring Resting Energy Expenditure in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis.

Background: Indirect calorimetry requires a steady state (SS) protocol to determine measured resting energy expenditure (mREE). Achieving stringent criteria for an SS interval may be difficult for patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD), as they may become uncomfortable because of the test itself or their health status. The study aim was to explore if a shortened SS interval was within acceptable limits for bias and precision. Materials and Methods: For this cross-sectional secondary analysis, adults (N = 125) who received MHD thrice weekly were enrolled. The indirect calorimetry test was performed for a length of total time ⩽30 consecutive minutes. SS was evaluated in accordance with intervals of 10, 5, 4, 3, and 2 minutes. The mREE at the 10-minute SS was compared with the mREE at 5, 4, 3, and 2 minutes, via t tests and Bland-Altman analysis, to determine degree of bias and level of agreement. The a priori alpha level was set at ⩽0.5. Results: The sample was primarily male, African American, and non-Hispanic, with a mean ± SD age of 55.4 ± 12.2 years, who reported being on MHD for an average of 62.4 ± 74.3 months. None of the mREE measures were significantly different from that of the 10-minute SS interval. Seventy-two percent of the participants were able to achieve SS at the 10-minute interval, 83.2% at 5 minutes, 87.2% at 4 minutes, and 89.6% for both 3 and 2 minutes. Conclusion: For patients on MHD, an abbreviated SS interval of <10 minutes (eg, 5 minutes) yielded valid mREE measurements.