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Biomedical subjects

Jean-Claude Melchior

Publications and source records attributed to Jean-Claude Melchior.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Reduction in triglyceride level with N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in HIV-infected patients taking potent antiretroviral therapy: a randomized prospective study.

To assess the evolution of triglyceride (TG) levels in HIV-infected patients receiving stable potent antiretroviral therapy treated with N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), a prospective double-blind randomized design for a reliable assessment of TG evolution was performed. One hundred twenty-two patients with TG levels >2 g/L and < or =10 g/L after a 4-week diet (baseline TG: 4.5 +/- 1.9 g/L) were randomized for 8 weeks to N-3 PUFAs (2 capsules containing 1 g of fish oil 3 times daily, n = 60), or placebo (1 g of paraffin oil capsules, n = 62). An 8-week open-label phase of N-3 PUFAs followed. Evaluation criteria were TG percent change at week 8, percentage of responders (normalization or > or =20% TG decrease), and safety issues. Ten patients with baseline TG levels >10 g/L were not randomized and received N-3 PUFAs as open treatment. The difference (PUFA - placebo) in TG percent change at week 8 was -24.6% (range: -40.9% to -8.4%; P = 0.0033), the median was -25.5% in the PUFA group versus 1% in the placebo group, and mean TG levels at week 8 were 3.4 +/- 1.8 g/L and 4.8 +/- 3.1 g/L, respectively. TG levels were normalized in 22.4% (PUFA) versus 6.5% (placebo) of patients (P = 0.013) with a > or =20% reduction in 58.6% (PUFA) versus 33.9% (placebo) of patients (P = 0.007). Under the open-label phase of N-3 PUFAs, the decrease in TG levels was sustained at week 16 for patients in the PUFA group (mean TG: 3.4 +/- 1.7 g/L), whereas a 21.2% decrease in TG levels occurred for patients in the placebo group (mean TG: 3.3 +/- 1.4 g/L). No significant differences were observed between groups in the occurrence of adverse events. The median TG change at week 8 was -43.6% (range: Q1-Q3; 95% CI: -66.5% to -4.6%) for patients with baseline TG levels >10 g/L. The difference in mean total cholesterol between groups (PUFA - placebo) at week 8 was -8.5% (P = 0.0117). This study demonstrated the efficacy of PUFAs to lower elevated TG levels in treated HIV-infected hypertriglyceridemic patients. N-3 PUFAs have a good safety profile.

Adult↗

Growth hormone improves lean body mass, physical performance, and quality of life in subjects with HIV-associated weight loss or wasting on highly active antiretroviral therapy.

HIV-associated wasting is defined as > or = 10% involuntary weight loss and includes declines in both lean and fat mass. This large (757 subjects), randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in 2 doses-0.1 mg/kg up to a maximum of 6 mg daily (DD) or alternate days (AD)-in the treatment of wasting and weight loss in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-treated HIV-infected subjects. The evaluable population for ergometry comprised 555 subjects, 87.6% of whom were receiving HAART. At 12 weeks, median maximum work output increased by 2.4 and 2.6 kJ in the AD and DD groups, respectively. The median treatment difference was 2.9 kJ for DD vs. placebo (P < 0.0001). Body weight increased by 2.2 and 2.9 kg in the AD and DD groups, respectively. Corresponding median treatment differences vs. placebo were 1.5 and 2.2 kg (P < 0.0001). Lean body mass (LBM), by bioelectric impedance spectroscopy, increased by 3.3 and 5.2 kg, respectively (P < 0.0001 vs. placebo; P = 0.0173 DD vs. AD), and fat mass, predominately truncal, decreased. Quality of life (QoL) improved significantly in both rhGH groups. Fluid-retention adverse effects and hyperglycemia were more common in the DD than in the AD group. No significant changes in HIV viral load or CD4 cell count occurred. In conclusion, over the 12-week course of therapy, rhGH, 0.1 mg/kg DD, was superior to placebo in improving physical function, body weight, body composition, and QoL and was superior to AD dosing in restoring LBM.

Adult↗

Bioelectrical impedance analysis--part I: review of principles and methods.

The use of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is widespread both in healthy subjects and patients, but suffers from a lack of standardized method and quality control procedures. BIA allows the determination of the fat-free mass (FFM) and total body water (TBW) in subjects without significant fluid and electrolyte abnormalities, when using appropriate population, age or pathology-specific BIA equations and established procedures. Published BIA equations validated against a reference method in a sufficiently large number of subjects are presented and ranked according to the standard error of the estimate. The determination of changes in body cell mass (BCM), extra cellular (ECW) and intra cellular water (ICW) requires further research using a valid model that guarantees that ECW changes do not corrupt the ICW. The use of segmental-BIA, multifrequency BIA, or bioelectrical spectroscopy in altered hydration states also requires further research. ESPEN guidelines for the clinical use of BIA measurements are described in a paper to appear soon in Clinical Nutrition.

Body Composition↗

Bioelectrical impedance analysis-part II: utilization in clinical practice.

BIA is easy, non-invasive, relatively inexpensive and can be performed in almost any subject because it is portable. Part II of these ESPEN guidelines reports results for fat-free mass (FFM), body fat (BF), body cell mass (BCM), total body water (TBW), extracellular water (ECW) and intracellular water (ICW) from various studies in healthy and ill subjects. The data suggests that BIA works well in healthy subjects and in patients with stable water and electrolytes balance with a validated BIA equation that is appropriate with regard to age, sex and race. Clinical use of BIA in subjects at extremes of BMI ranges or with abnormal hydration cannot be recommended for routine assessment of patients until further validation has proven for BIA algorithm to be accurate in such conditions. Multi-frequency- and segmental-BIA may have advantages over single-frequency BIA in these conditions, but further validation is necessary. Longitudinal follow-up of body composition by BIA is possible in subjects with BMI 16-34 kg/m(2) without abnormal hydration, but must be interpreted with caution. Further validation of BIA is necessary to understand the mechanisms for the changes observed in acute illness, altered fat/lean mass ratios, extreme heights and body shape abnormalities.

Algorithms↗

Hyperphagia contributes to the normal body composition and protein-energy balance in HIV-infected asymptomatic men.

Wasting can occur at an early stage of HIV infection. Both reduced energy intake and increased resting energy expenditure (REE) have been considered as factors in wasting with predominant lean body mass loss, suggesting disturbances of protein metabolism. Our aim was to study protein-energy metabolism in relation to body composition and oral energy intake in asymptomatic patients with HIV infection but receiving no active antiretroviral therapy. Stable-weight asymptomatic male patients (n = 8) at stage A of HIV infection with a detectable viral load were compared with 9 healthy control men. Protein metabolism was studied in the postabsorptive state using a primed constant infusion of l-[1-(13)C]leucine and l-[2-(15)N]glutamine. REE was studied by indirect calorimetry, body composition by bioelectrical impedance, and energy intake by dietary records. BMI and lean body mass did not differ between patients and controls. In HIV-infected subjects, energy intake, protein breakdown, protein synthesis, and REE were 57% (P < 0.05), 18% (P < 0.05), 22% (P < 0.05) and 14% (P < 0.05) greater than in controls, respectively. REE and protein breakdown were correlated (r = 0.73, P < 0.05). The hormonal profile was normal in HIV-infected subjects with the exception of low urinary C-peptide and plasma reverse triiodothyronine. Plasma interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were greater than in controls, but energy intake was 1.53 times the REE in the HIV-infected men. Thus, at the asymptomatic stage of HIV infection, increased protein turnover contributes to the increase in the REE. Moderate hyperphagia, which occurred despite increased levels of cytokines, in conjunction with increased protein synthesis maintains a normal body composition, without significant loss of lean body mass.

Adult↗

C-reactive protein and body mass index predict outcome in end-stage respiratory failure.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the predictive factors of morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage respiratory disease. DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter cohort study. SETTING: Thirteen outpatient chest clinics within the Association Nationale de Traitement à Domicile de l'Insuffisance Respiratoire. PARTICIPANTS: Stable adult patients with chronic respiratory failure receiving long-term oxygen therapy and/or home mechanical ventilation (n = 446; 182 women and 264 men; aged 68.5 +/- 12.1 years [+/- SD]); Respiratory diseases were COPD in 42.8%, restrictive disorders in 36.3%, mixed respiratory failure in 13.5%, and bronchiectasis in 7.4%. Recruitment was performed during the yearly examination. Patients with neuromuscular diseases and sleeping apnea were excluded. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Hospitalization days and survival were recorded during a follow-up of 14.3 +/- 5.6 months. Body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, and transthyretin levels were considered for their predictive value of outcome, together with demographic data, underlying respiratory disease, respiratory function, hemoglobin, C-reactive protein, smoking habits, oral corticosteroid use, and antibiotic treatment courses. Overall, 1.8 +/- 1.7 hospitalizations (cumulative stay, 17.6 +/- 27.1 days) were observed in 254 of 446 patients (57%). Independent predictors of hospitalization were oral corticosteroids, FEV(1), and plasma C-reactive protein. One-year and 2-year cumulative survivals were 93% and 69%, respectively. Plasma C-reactive protein, BMI, Pao(2) on room air, and oral corticosteroids independently predicted survival in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Besides established prognosis factors such as FEV(1) and Pao(2), nutritional depletion as assessed by BMI and overall systemic inflammation as estimated by C-reactive protein appear as major determinants of hospitalization and death risks whatever the end-stage respiratory disease. BMI and C-reactive protein should be included in the monitoring of chronic respiratory failure. Oral corticosteroids as maintenance treatment in patients with end-stage respiratory disease are an independent risk factor of death, and should be avoided in most cases.

Administration, Oral↗

[Diagnosis and screening for malnutrition].

Undernutrition is frequent in hospitalised patients in western countries. Undernutrition is not only the result of poor intakes but is often triggered by metabolic disorders, which result from disease. Undernutrition per se is a debiliting factor of outcome of patients. Because of this complex pathophysiology, the diagnosis of undernutrition is difficult. However it is possible first to detect for all patients the risk of undernutrition with simple clinical parameters and secondary to screen patients against undernutrition with appropriate index such as nutritional risk index developed by Buzby et al. a global strategy can be proposed to avoid undernutrition in hospitalised patients.

Hospitalization↗

[Malnutrition in chronic diseases].

During chronic diseases, malnutrition is found in approximately 40% of patients. Malnutrition is correlated with complication rates, handicap, need for care as well as mortality. Malnutrition can be related to two mechanisms: insufficient feeding and abnormal nutrient absorption or metabolism. Nutritional assessment of patients with chronic diseases should be helpful for the early detection and management of malnutrition. Nutritional supplementation was shown to improve both nutritional status and survival in selected conditions. Future therapies of malnutrition in chronic diseases rely to the selection of patients susceptible to respond to a new therapeutic approach which, depending on primary disease, may associate nutritional supplementation to rehabilitation and, in some conditions, anabolizing hormones.

Chronic Disease↗

The European view of hospital undernutrition.

Disease-related undernutrition is significant in European hospitals but is seldom treated or prevented. In 1999, the Council of Europe decided to collect information regarding nutrition programs in hospitals, and for this purpose, a network consisting of national experts from 12 of the Partial Agreement member states was established. The aim was to review the current practices in Europe regarding hospital food provision, to highlight deficiencies, and to issue recommendations to improve the nutritional care and support of hospitalized patients. Five major common problems were identified: 1) lack of clearly defined responsibilities, 2) lack of sufficient education, 3) lack of influence and knowledge of the patients, 4) lack of cooperation between different staff groups, and 5) lack of involvement from the hospital management. To solve the problems highlighted, a combined timely and concerted effort is required from national authorities and hospital staff, including managers, to ensure appropriate nutritional care and support.

Journal Article↗

Practices in relation to nutritional care and support--report from the Council of Europe.

Disease-related undernutrition is significant in European hospitals but is seldom treated. In 1999, the Council of Europe decided to collect information regarding Nutrition programmes in hospitals and for this purpose a network consisting of national experts from 12 of the Partial Agreement member states was established. The aim was to review the current practice in Europe regarding hospital food provision, to highlight deficiencies and to issue recommendations in improve the nutritional care and support of hospitalised patients. The data collection regarding the nutritional care providers and their practices of nutritional care and support showed that the use of nutritional risk screening and assessment, and of nutritional support and counselling was sparse and inconsistent, and that the responsibilities in these contexts were unclear. Besides, the educational level with regard to nutritional care and support was limited at all levels. All patients have the right to expect that their nutritional needs will be fulfilled during a hospitalisation. Optimal supply of food is a prerequisite for an optimal effect of the specific treatment offered to patients. Hence, the responsibilities of staff categories and the hospital management with respect to procuring nutritional care and support should be clearly assigned. Also, a general improvement in the educational level of all staff groups is needed.

Counseling↗

Body composition and nutritional parameters in HIV and AIDS patients.

Undernutrition is a frequent complication of evolutive and chronic HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection characterized by bodyweight loss and changes in body composition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define AIDS wasting as involuntary loss of more than 10% of body weight, plus more than 30 days of either diarrhea, or weakness and fever. Wasting syndrome has been considered as a case definition of the AIDS disease since 1987. Wasting syndrome is clearly linked to disease progression and death. Despite the progress under the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), wasting is still a problem for people with AIDS. A small part of the weight lost is fat. More important is the loss of "lean body mass", which is mostly muscle. Body composition changes during HIV infection are different from those observed in food deprivation. Under the era of HAART, a HIV-associated adipose redistribution syndrome (HARS) was described that associates subcutaneous lipoatrophy and abdominal obesity linked to various metabolic disorders. Several factors contribute to wasting syndrome. Not only low food intake and poor nutrient absorption, but mainly altered metabolism (increased resting energy expenditure) and specific disturbances in protein turnover, which is also increased. Nutritional evaluation of HIV-infected patients should include the measurement of body composition and analysis of nutritional parameters, including albumin, transthyretin and C-reactive protein. Transthyretin seems to be particularly useful to follow the recovery period of malnutrition.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗