Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND & AIMS:Intestinal failure (IF) is defined as "the reduction of gut function below the minimum necessary for the absorption of macronutrients and/or water and electrolytes, such that intravenous supplementation is required to maintain health and/or growth". Functionally, it may be classified as type I acute intestinal failure (AIF), type II prolonged AIF and type III chronic intestinal failure (CIF) The ESPEN Workshop on IF was held in Bologna, Italy, on 15-16 October 2017 and the aims of this document were to highlight the current state of the art and future directions for research in IF. METHODS:This paper represents the opinion of experts in the field, based on current evidence. It is not a formal review, but encompasses the current evidence, with emphasis on epidemiology, classification, diagnosis and management. RESULTS:IF is the rarest form of organ failure and can result from a variety of conditions that affect gastrointestinal anatomy and function adversely. Assessment, diagnosis, and short and long-term management involves a multidisciplinary team with diverse expertise in the field that aims to reduce complications, increase life expectancy and improve quality of life in patients. CONCLUSIONS:Both AIF and CIF are relatively rare conditions and most of the published work presents evidence from small, single-centre studies. Much remains to be investigated to improve the diagnosis and management of IF and future studies should rely on multidisciplinary, multicentre and multinational collaborations that gather data from large cohorts of patients. Emphasis should also be placed on partnership with patients, carers and government agencies in order to improve the quality of research that focuses on patient-centred outcomes that will help to improve both outcomes and quality of life in patients with this devastating condition.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:Protective loop ileostomy (PLI) is used to reduce the anastomotic leak rate after resection of the rectum. It is an effective, yet burdensome procedure contradicting the aims of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) by slowing down recovery. Early closure (EC) of the PLI has the potential to change the situation, and it should become part of ERAS. AIM/OBJECTIVE:To analyze the effectiveness of EC in ERAS patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS/METHODS:, 2017. Fifty-eight adult patients (24 females, 34 males, mean age: 55.7 and 56.2) operated on for rectal carcinoma according to the ERAS protocol with PLI were randomly assigned to the late (L) or early (E) closure group (14 days after discharge). Time to start adjuvant chemotherapy, complication rate, and health care costs were analyzed. RESULTS:There were no significant differences between groups regarding the length of surgery (83.2 ±15.9 vs. 87.1 ±21.7 min, in E and L, respectively), intraoperative blood loss (15.2 ±7.5 vs. 17.3 ±11.1 ml, respectively), median hospital stay, or the time to pass flatus and stool. The difference in the time needed to start the adjuvant treatment (38.7 ±5.7 vs. 33.2 ±5.8 days, p < 0.01), was compensated by the reduction of time living with a stoma (17.2 vs. 299.0 days) and health care costs: (43.68 vs. 698.42 USD). CONCLUSIONS:Early closure is a safe and effective therapeutic approach, improving the recovery. Therefore it should be implemented as part of the ERAS protocol for rectal cancer patients.

AIM:Intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) can become a risk factor for intestinal failure associated liver disease (IFALD). Many ILEs are commercially available, however, a direct comparison of their impact on liver has, to our knowledge, never been performed. The aim of the study was to analyse that clinical problem during long term parenteral nutrition (PN). METHODS:A randomized, controlled clinical trial was performed at the Intestinal Failure Center in Skawina, Poland. Sixty-seven patients (37 F, 30 M, mean age 53.9 years) enrolled in home parenteral nutrition (HPN) due to stable chronic intestinal failure (CIF) were randomized to receive one the following for 12 months: long-chain triglycerides (LCT), medium/long-chain triglycerides, olive oil/LCT (OO/LCT) and a mix of LCT/MCT/OO/fish oil. Clinical evaluation and biochemical tests (total bilirubin, SGOT, SGTP, GGPT, alkaline phosphatase) were performed at enrolment and after 6 and 12 months. RESULTS:the most common reason for intestinal failure (IF) was short bowel due to mesenteric ischaemia, followed by Crohn's disease, surgical complications and radiation enteritis. PN stabilized liver parameters in all patients. No essential fatty acids deficiency was diagnosed. All four ILEs demonstrated comparable influence on liver in all study periods. The only exception was the decrease in total bilirubin concentration after 12 months (28.1 ± 25.3vs 11.1 ± 4.5, p = 0.0023) and GGTP (222.5 ± 205.8vs 146.6 ± 197.7, p = 0.0079) when OO/LCT was in use. CONCLUSIONS:All four ILEs tested may be safe even during long-term parenteral nutrition. OO/LCT may be more effective than the others, but more studies in the field are needed.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:Vitamin D has a role in cellular differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis and therefore is studied as a prognostic factor in cancer. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence and significance of 25(OH)D deficiency in patients with lymphoid malignancies. METHODOLOGY/METHODS:Between January 2014 and June 2016 at the Clinic for Hematology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, the pretreatment serum level of 25(OH)D was determined in 133 (62 women/71 men, median age 58 (18-84) years) previously untreated patients with lymphoid malignancy using a chemiluminescent immunoassay. From their medical records, we noted the age, clinical stage, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Scale (ECOG PS), nutritional status using the Nutritional Risk Score 2002 (NRS2002), the time of year, comorbidity index, progression, and progression-free survival (PFS) for a median of 20 (1-32) months. The optimal cutoff point for prediction of outcome was determined using the Maximally Selected Rank Statistics. RESULTS:There were 37 (27.8%) patients with the severe 25(OH)D deficiency ≤ 25 nmol/l, 80 (60.2%) with 25(OH)D deficiency 25-50 nmol/l, and 16 (12%) with 25(OH)D insufficiency 50-75 nmol/l. None of the patients had the desired normal level. There were significant differences between groups in regard to ECOG PS, NRS2002, type of lymphoma, and progression. The severely 25(OH)D-deficient patients had a shorter mean time until progression (P = 0.018). Cox regression analysis showed that 25(OH)D < 19.6 nmol/l remained the only significant parameter for PFS (HR = 2.921; 95% CI 1.307-6.529). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:The prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency in the analyzed group of patients with lymphoid malignancies is high and greater in malnourished individuals. Patients with pretreatment serum 25(OH)D < 19.6 nmol/l had a significantly shorter PFS.

BACKGROUND & AIM:Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is the primary treatment for chronic intestinal failure (IF). Intestinal transplantation (ITx) is indicated when there is an increased risk of death due to HPN complications or to the underlying disease. Age, pathophysiologic conditions and underlying disease are known predictors of HPN dependency and overall survival. Although the cause of death on HPN is mostly related to underlying disease in these patients, the relationship between mortality and duration of HPN use remains unclear. The purpose of the present study is to describe factors associated with survival and HPN dependency as well as causes of death in adult patients requiring HPN for chronic intestinal failure during the first 5 years of treatment with HPN. METHODS:A multicenter international (European and USA) questionnaire-based retrospective follow-up of a cohort of 472 IF patients who started HPN was conducted between June and December 2000. Study endpoint was either end of 5-year follow-up, weaned-off HPN, ITx, or death on HPN. Data were analyzed for HPN dependence and overall survival using Kaplan-Meier models and log rank tests. RESULTS:The overall survival probability was 88%, 74% and 64% at 1, 3 and 5 years respectively. Survival was inversely related to age (p < .001) and higher in patients with Crohn's disease or chronic idiopathic pseudo-obstruction. A total of 169 (36.5%) patients were weaned-off HPN mainly (80%) within the first year and most frequently in patients with fistulae. Five of the 14 patients who underwent ITx died. By the end of the study, 104 (23%) of patients died on HPN; 65% of deaths occurred within the first 2.5 years of HPN. CONCLUSIONS:Younger ages at HPN initiation and underlying pathologies are significantly predictive of survival on HPN. Risk of death is greatest during the first 2 years of HPN.

BACKGROUND:Malnutrition is associated with increased hospital stay and subsequently higher healthcare costs. Early detection of malnutrition among people accessing health services at public hospitals is vital to identify and treat malnutrition effectively and in a timewise and cost-effective manner. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutrition risk of this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:Nutrition screening was performed for 2970 patients (52% male; 55.3 ± 20.1 years old) at 34 hospitals. Nutrition risk was evaluated through 3 nutrition screening tools-Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002), Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST), and Mini Nutritional Assessment-Screening Form (MNA-SF). RESULTS:Malnutrition risk was found: 25.3% with NRS-2002, 22.9% with MUST, and 60.5% with MNA-SF. Nutrition risk among patients accessing health services at public hospitals increases with age (high-risk patients among those ≥80 years old: NRS-2002, 9.8%; MUST, 16.9%; MNA-SF, 43.9%). The highest prevalence of nutrition risk was found at the oncology departments (16.7%, NRS-2002; 23.4%, MUST). According to the NRS-2002 and MUST, surgical patients have a greater risk for malnutrition vs internal medicine patients (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.0, P < .001; adjusted OR = 1.17, P < .001, respectively), whereas according to MNA-SF, surgical patients have 30% lower probability for malnutrition risk against internal medicine patients (adjusted OR = 0.7, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS:A high prevalence of malnutrition risk was reported among patients accessing health services at public hospitals. Early detection of malnutrition is vital to allow the allocation of the needed workforce to manage it effectively.

AIM/OBJECTIVE:Low bone mineral density (BMD) is commonly reported in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN). Oral and intravenous calcium, vitamin D, and bisphosphonates have been used to treat BMD but with low efficiency due to their limited absorption and patient compliance. Denosumab is a new drug that helps prevent osteoclast development and activation and led to decreased bone resorption in some studies. The aim of this study was to assess its value in HPN patients. METHODS:Between November 2011 and March 2013, 49 patients receiving HPN (29 women, 20 men, mean age 55.3 years) who met the eligibility criteria were randomly assigned to a denosumab or control group. Regional dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry of the spine and hip was performed before therapy and after 12 months. BMD, T score, and z score were assessed. RESULTS:Fifteen patients received 2 doses of therapy and were fully reassessed after 1 year. At baseline and after 12 months, the absorptiometry revealed T scores of -3.439 standard deviations (SD) vs -2.33 SD at lumbar segment 2 (L2) and -2.957 SD vs -2.067 SD at lumbar segment 3 (L3), z scores of -2.24 SD vs -1.36 SD at L2 and -1.995 vs -1.067 SD at L3, and BMD of 0.801 vs 0.946 at L2 and 0.857 vs 0.979 at L3, respectively. Two serious outcomes were reported, without any correlation to the intervention. Two patients were weaned off HPN and hence discontinued. One patient experienced sciatica, resulting in discontinuation of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS:This study showed that denosumab may be a valuable treatment option for improving BMD in HPN patients.

This article summarizes the presentations given at an ESPEN Workshop on "Lipids in the ICU" held in Tel Aviv, Israel in November 2014 and subsequent discussions and updates. Lipids are an important component of enteral and parenteral nutrition support and provide essential fatty acids, a concentrated source of calories and building blocks for cell membranes. Whilst linoleic acid-rich vegetable oil-based enteral and parenteral nutrition is still widely used, newer lipid components such as medium-chain triglycerides and olive oil are safe and well tolerated. Fish oil (FO)-enriched enteral and parenteral nutrition appears to be well tolerated and confers additional clinical benefits, particularly in surgical patients, due to its anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects. Whilst the evidence base is not conclusive, there appears to be a potential for FO-enriched nutrition, particularly administered peri-operatively, to reduce the rate of complications and intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay in surgical ICU patients. The evidence for FO-enriched nutrition in non-surgical ICU patients is less clear regarding its clinical benefits and additional, well-designed large-scale clinical trials need to be conducted in this area. The ESPEN Expert Group supports the use of olive oil and FO in nutrition support in surgical and non-surgical ICU patients but considers that further research is required to provide a more robust evidence base.

BACKGROUND:The new definition of malnutrition in adults proposed recently by The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) changed the view on the issue and raised the question of the reliability of available diagnostic tools. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify the accuracy of the two most commonly used screening tools by comparing their findings with the new ESPEN criteria. METHODS:Nutritional screening was performed in 1146 (median age 60 years, interquartile range: 44-73 years, 617 males, 529 females) patients on admission to hospitals with two nutritional screening tools: Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002) and Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST). The screening results were then compared to the ESPEN new diagnostic criteria for malnutrition. RESULTS:According to the NRS2002 13.5% and 27.9% of the outpatients and hospitalized patients respectively were found to be at moderate/high risk of malnutrition. With the use of MUST 9.1% and 14.9% of the outpatients and hospitalized patients respectively were found to be at moderate/high risk of malnutrition. According to the ESPEN diagnostic criteria 6.4% and 11.3% of outpatients and hospitalized patients respectively were classified as malnourished. MUST was found to be better correlated to the latter for both outpatients (K = 0.777, p < 0.001) and hospitalized patients (K = 0.843, p < 0.001) as compared to NRS2002 (k = 0.256, p < 0.001 and k = 0.228, p < 0.001). ROC plots Area Under the Curve (AUC) was found to be higher for MUST compared to NRS2002 (0.964 vs. 0.695 for outpatients and 0.980 vs 0.686 for hospitalized patients respectively). CONCLUSION:To our knowledge, this study is the first to analyze the clinical value of a malnutrition screening tool in the light of the new ESPEN definition for malnutrition. According to our results, MUST was better correlated with ESPEN criteria for the definition of malnutrition, leading us to the conclusion that it can more efficiently identify the malnourished patients, during the screening process.

OBJECTIVE:Teduglutide is an active, glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-2 analog with proven clinical efficacy regarding intestinal adaptation in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS). There are two factors that preclude its reimbursement, and thereby, its availability: its cost (reaching ∼$300,000/y)-which significantly exceeds the cost of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) in most countries-and the lack of clear guidelines. The aim of this study was to create evidence-based working criteria for the use of teduglutide that could be used in clinical settings. METHODS:Experts from the Polish Network of Intestinal Failure Centers analyzed available research and considered experience on the topic of HPN and intestinal failure to create guidelines. RESULTS:Experts agreed that there are two groups of HPN patients who can benefit from therapy with a GLP-2 analog: those with a good prognosis (in whom complete weaning from HPN may be possible) and those with a poor prognosis (the therapy would be lifesaving). Patient criteria comprise the following: inclusion and exclusion criteria, parameters that can be used for monitoring, outcome measures, and the rationale for the termination of the treatment. CONCLUSIONS:It was possible to describe inclusion criteria for both patient groups that justify the use of teduglutide from medical and economic perspectives.