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Background: The protein-energy malnutrition alters the prognosis of patients with cirrhosis. Its prevalence may vary according to the etiology of liver disease, it´s severity and the evaluation of the method applied. The infection by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and alcoholism are the main etiologies of cirrhosis and result in a significant morbidity and mortality., Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status of patients with cirrhosis according the liver disease etiology and severity., Methods: It is a prospective study, in which the sample was for convenience and consisted of patients with cirrhosis, infected by HCV or alcoholic etiology. The nutritional status evaluation was carried out through anthropometry, food consumption, bioelectrical impedance (BIA) and subjective global assessment (SGA). The anthropometric data evaluated were weight, height, body mass index (BMI), triceps skinfold (TSF), circumference of the arm (CA), non-dominant handshake strength (FAM) and the adductor pollicis muscle thickness (APM). Patients were classified according to the severity of liver disease, using the Child-Pugh and Model for End-stage Liver Diseases (MELD) scores., Results: Ninety patients with cirrhosis were evaluated, 47 with HCV and 43 with alcoholic etiology. The prevalence of protein-calorie malnutrition ranged from 10.9% to 54.3% in the HCV group and from 4.7% to 20.9% in the alcoholic group, depending on the method used for evaluation. The group with HCV infection presented a higher malnutrition prevalence in comparison to the alcoholic in the following evaluations: TSF (P<0.001), phase angle (PA) (P=0.016) and SGA (P=0.010). PA values were lower in patients with viral cirrhosis (5.68±1.05) when compared to those with alcoholic etiology (6.61±2.31) (P=0.016). When all patients were analyzed, regardless of etiology, an inversely correlation was observed among Child-Pugh score and PA values (P=0.018)., Conclusion: HCV cirrhosis showed worse nutritional parameters in comparison to alcoholic etiology; however, the PA was associated with worse liver function in both etiologies.

Background:: Protein-calorie malnutrition is common in chronic liver disease (CLD) but adequate clinical tools for nutritional assessment are not defined., Objective:: In CLD patients, it was aimed: 1. Characterize protein-calorie malnutrition; 2. Compare several clinical, anthropometric and functional tools; 3. Study the association malnutrition/CLD severity and malnutrition/outcome., Methods:: Observational, prospective study. Consecutive CLD ambulatory/hospitalised patients were recruited from 01-03-2012 to 31-08-2012, studied according with age, gender, etiology, alcohol consumption and CLD severity defined by Child-Turcotte-Pugh. Nutritional assessment used subjective global assessment, anthropometry, namely body-mass index (BMI), triceps skinfold, mid upper arm circumference, mid arm muscular circumference and handgrip strength. Patients were followed during two years and survival data was recorded., Results:: A total of 130 CLD patients (80 men), aged 22-89 years (mean 60 years) were included. Most suffered from alcoholic cirrhosis (45%). Hospitalised patients presented more severe disease ( P <0.001) and worst nutritional status defined by BMI ( P =0.002), mid upper arm circumference ( P <0.001), mid arm muscular circumference ( P <0.001), triceps skinfold ( P =0.07) and subjective global assessment ( P <0.001). A third presented deficient/low handgrip strength. Alcohol consumption ( P =0.03) and malnutrition detected by BMI ( P =0.03), mid upper arm circumference ( P =0.001), triceps skinfold ( P =0.06), mid arm muscular circumference ( P =0.02) and subjective global assessment ( P <0.001) were associated with CLD severity. From 25 patients deceased during follow-up, 17 patients were severely malnourished according with triceps skinfold. Malnutrition defined by triceps skinfold predicted mortality ( P <0.001)., Conclusion:: Protein-calorie malnutrition is common in CLD patients and alcohol plays an important role. Triceps skinfold is the most efficient anthropometric parameter and is associated with mortality. Nutritional assessment should be considered mandatory in the routine care of CLD patients.

Background: Patients that underwent Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) present with protein-energy malnutrition. Trace elements are required in small quantities and Chromium (Cr) displays a major role in the metabolism., Objective: This study aims to evaluate Cr levels and its relationship with serum proteins, BMI and underlying diseases during the first 3 months of PEG feeding., Methods: Prospective observational study during 3-months, when PEG was performed (T0), after 4 (T1), and 12 weeks (T3). Initial evaluation included: age, gender, underlying disease, NRS-2002, BMI, serum albumin, transferrin and Cr concentration. At T1 and T3 a blood sample was collected for Cr, albumin and transferrin. A Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy was used to assess Cr. According with the underlying disease, patients were divided into two groups: head and neck cancer (HNC) and neurological dysphagia (ND). All patients were fed with homemade meals., Results: A one hundred and twenty-nine patients (80 males), 26-95 years old were studied: HNC-52; ND-77. The observed data included low mean values of BMI from 71 patients; low Cr-8, low albumin-70, low transferrin-85 and 57 with both proteins low. Albumin was associated with survival time ( P =0.024) and there was a significant correlation between albumin and Cr (r=0.217, P =0.012). A good evolution of Cr and proteins values was observed, with no low Cr levels at T3., Conclusion: Low serum Cr is rare in PEG-patients, with no relationship to other studied parameters. For the minority of patients displaying low Cr before gastrostomy, homemade PEG meals seem to be effective.

Background: Patients with liver disease often present protein-energy malnutrition. The assessment of food intake is very important in the investigation regarding the "health-disease" process., Objective: To assess dietary intake of cirrhotic patients through food record during 3 days, correlating it with the nutritional status of the patient and the stage of the disease., Methods: Cirrhotic outpatients from the Santa Casa de Misericórdia Hospital, RS, Brazil, were assessed. Nutritional assessment was performed by anthropometry; non-dominating handgrip strength; adductor pollicis muscle thickness; phase angle by bioelectrical impedance analysis; and Subjective Global Assessment. For analysis of food consumption we used the food records of 3 days using scales for weighing of all foods., Results: We evaluated 25 (68%) patients, in which there was a prevalence of cirrhosis by hepatitis C virus. The upper arm circumference, handgrip strength and phase angle by bioelectrical impedance analysis diagnosed 56% of malnourished. Phase angle by bioelectrical impedance analysis and upper arm circumference were associated with Child-Pugh score (P<0.05). The average consumption of calories, carbohydrates, proteins and lipids were within the recommended. However, sodium was above the recommendations, 106±57.2 mEq, and was inversely associated with Child-Pugh score (rs=-0.410; P=0.042)., Conclusion: Food intake did not have a significant difference between the Child-Pugh scores and nutritional status. In addition, food intake did not vary neither according to the stage of the disease, nor to the nutritional assessment, by the phase angle by bioelectrical impedance analysis.

Background: The hepatitis C virus is one of the main causes of liver disease worldwide and may develop nutritional deficiencies., Objective: The objective of this study was to assess and compare different nutritional status methods of adult patients with chronic hepatitis C virus, and to describe inadequacies in dietary intake., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with adult outpatients with hepatitis C virus at a Brazilian hospital. Nutritional assessment included the 24-hour dietary recall, anthropometry (body weight, height, body mass index, triceps skinfold, mid-upper arm circumference, mid-arm muscle circumference, mid-upper arm muscle area, adductor policis muscle), Subjective Global Assessment, Royal Free Hospital Global Assessment and handgrip strength., Results: A total of 94 outpatients (ages 30 to 76 years), was included, 46 were men. The prevalence of malnutrition as measured by the different methods was 6.4% (body mass index); 60.6% (handgrip strength), and 53.2% (Royal Free Hospital Global Assessment). There was correlation between mid-upper arm circumference and mid-arm muscle circumference (r=0.821), mid-upper arm circumference and triceps skinfold (r=0.575) and mid-upper arm circumference and mid-upper arm muscle area (r=0.781). Energy and protein intakes were below recommended levels in 49 (52.1%) and 44 (46.8%) of patients, respectively. Inadequate calcium, potassium, zinc and vitamin C intakes occurred in 92.6%, 97.9%, 63.8% and 60.6% of patients. There was an association between dietary energy and protein intake with Royal Free Hospital Global Assessment (P<0.001) and a tendency for them to be associated with handgrip strength (P=0.076 and P=0.054)., Conclusion: Malnutrition is frequently in hepatitis C virus patients. They have high prevalence of inadequate energy, protein and micronutrients intake, even in the absence of cirrhosis.

Aim: The prevalence and severity of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) were investigated through the anthropometric (body mass index, triceps and subescapular skinfolds and upper arm circumferences) and blood measures in 117 cirrhotic patients. The sensitivity and specificity of single or combined PEM markers were tested among Child A (n=18), Child B (n=42) and Child C (n=57) adults (51+/-13y)., Results: Were calculated as z score and considered deficient when z< or =-1.28SD according to local standards. The most deficient markers where albumin (93%), hemoglobin (90%), upper arm circumference (61%), triceps (55%) and subescapular (53%) skinfolds. By combining upper arm circumference with triceps or subescapular skinfolds, PEM were detected in 63% of patients varying from 39-44% (Child A) to 64-68% (Child B or C)., Conclusion: Thus the pattern of PEM present in cirrhosis is predominantly in their protein compartment and worsened with the severity of hepatocellular insuficiency. Upper arm circumference can be used as sensitive markers of presence and severity of PEM in cirrhotic patients but showing low specificity for discriminate PEM among Child grades (B and C) of hepatocellular dysfunctions.

Background: Gastrectomy leads to nutritional consequences that although expected, are not usually measured due to methodological limitations., Aim: To assess the protein-energy deficiency degrees estimated by isolated or combined indicators., Patients and Methods: There were studied 71 patients, who had undergone partial (n = 53) or total (n = 18) gastrectomy in the last 6-24 months (M1) or 24-60 months (M2). The dietary intake, body composition and biochemical data were estimated and compared between groups and moments., Results: The surgeries were undertaken after complications of peptic ulcer (68%) or due to gastric cancers (32%). Weight loss was referred by 70% of patients and higher (16 +/- 5 x 10 +/- 6 kg) in total gastrectomy group. The patients showed anthropometric deficits along with normal albumin and low energy intake, suggesting chronic-energy deficiency. Hematocrit, hemoglobin and iron showed the most prominent reductions. Anemia was installed earlier and worsened in the total gastrectomy group. Thus, when combining hemoglobin + albumin, + total lymphocyte count + arm circumference and subscapular skinfold, the protein-energy deficiency prevalence was higher and more severe than when hemoglobin was omitted. The protein-energy deficiency occurred earlier and it was more severe in total gastrectomy patients, while in partial gastrectomy the protein-energy deficiency increased in the late post-operative period., Conclusion: The protein-energy deficiency resulted from gastrectomy is more marasmus-like coarsing with anemia, both installed earlier and severer in total gastrectomy than partial gastrectomy but ending up similarly at the late postoperatory.

Background: The stomach through its mechanical and chemical processes has an unique role in the food processing and bioavailability. Hence gastrectomy has predictable and modifiable nutritional consequences depending upon its knowledge and the post-surgery therapies., Objective: To point out the impact of gastrectomy on the nutritional status focusing on both mechanical and chemical actions of stomach on intaked foods., Results: The protein-energy malnutrition and consequent body-weight loss follow reversely the remainer gastric volume and post-operatory length and have anorexy and intestinal malabsorption as their main causes. Lower food intake is probably due to either emotional factors or chemical mediators acting centrally on hypothalamus. The diarrhea may be due to either increased peristalsis or bacterial overgrowth both aggravated by exocrine-pancreas deficiency and gallbladder overflow. The intestinal malabsorption leading to fecal losses of fat and or nitrogen as well as lower utilization of dietary calcium and liposoluble vitamins. The gastrectomy-related anemia is consequent to lower secretion of both HCl and intrinsic factor leading to a decreased solubilization of iron and lower absorption of vitamin B12, respectively., Conclusion: Body-weight loss and anemia are the protein-energy malnutrition findings often found in these patients whose severity and lasting depend upon the type of surgery, post-surgery length and received nutritional care, being strongly recommended a supervisioned dietary care.

Liver chronic pathologies often courses with metabolic abnormalities of macronutrients leading to or aggravating a protein-energy malnutrition status. This review raised the major pathophysiological mechanisms related to the protein-energy malnutrition in chronic liver patients. By large the reduced dietary intake is the most accepted cause particularly among alcoholic patients. Moreover during the treatment prevails the iatrogenic anorexia by unpalatable (restricted) diets interpolated with long-lasting fastings of hospitalized patients. Intestinal fat malabsorption is a common finding whereas hypermetabolism can be found associated with an acute alcoholism. Hypoglycemia or insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia and liver steatosis are common findings as well as lower plasma proteins along with higher levels of ammonia, aromatic and sulphur amino acids leading to neurological outcomes. The knowledge of these metabolic changes allow proper dietary interventions toward reduced morbi-mortality of those patients.

The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of different levels of nutritional restriction during fetal life, suckling, and after weaning of the brain biochemical composition. At 41 days of age, the rats were killed and the brain was processed for analyses of DNA, RNA and protein. The results showed that the brain weights as well as DNA, RNA and protein brain contents were impaired by hypoprotein diet, and these alterations were enhanced by the corn diet.

Tropical enteropathy has been described in children and adults that live in developing countries. This disease may be symptomatic or may present without symptoms. We studied 66 patients with tropical enteropathy with special reference to the nutritional status and the intestinal function. The follow-up of the nutritional status revealed that 63 (95.49%) presented current malnutrition. The D-xylose absorption test was significantly lower than those found in the control group. The mean plasmatic triglyceride increment after the margarine load was significantly lower than that found in the control group. Carbohydrate tolerance tests revealed 51.3% lactose malabsorption, 35.07% sucrose malabsorption and 5% glucose malabsorption. Small bowel biopsy showed partial villous atrophy as the most frequent morphological characteristic observed. These children constitute an homogenous group representative of the majority of the population of the Third World.

The rhythm of nutritional recovery in 11 children with celiac disease after the introduction of a gluten-free diet was studied. The mean age of the patients at the moment of the diagnosis was 2.8 +/- 1.2 years and they were followed up for a period of 3.4 +/- 1.9 years. The nutritional status was evaluated by the utilization of the following parameters: the weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height. It was verified that none child was well nourished at the moment of the diagnosis and during the evolution 9 of them reached a complete recovery of their nutritional status for the weight in a mean period of time of 5.8 +/- 2.7 months; 5 of these children remained well nourished during the follow-up, 3 for 33 months and 1 for just a month. The other 2 children were initially classified as PCM II and turned to PCM I. The height-for-age index revealed that only 6 children had recovered from malnutrition and only 4 remained like this during all the follow-up. The other 2 children suffered nutritional aggravation and turned to be PCM I, but after a mean time of 18.4 months both resumed the rhythm of growth. Nutritional dwarfsism in 45.45% and chronic evoluted malnutrition in 54.55% were the patterns of malnutrition observed in this group of patients.