[Fasting - Effects on the Human Body and Psyche].

Fasting - Effects on the Human Body and Psyche Fasting has become a trend: to lose weight, to increase well-being, or to heal acute and chronic diseases. The positive and negative effects of fasting are controversially discussed. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the possible effects of fasting on body and well-being/psychic features.

Effect of preoperative immunonutrition on complications after salvage surgery in head and neck cancer.

Background: Patients undergoing salvage surgery for recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma are at high risk of postoperative complications due to the adverse effects of radiotherapy on wound healing. Malnutrition is an additional risk factor and we tested the hypothesis that preoperative administration of immunonutrition would decrease complications in this high risk population.

Methods: This single armed study with historical control included consecutive patients undergoing salvage surgery for recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Are patients affected by mitochondrial disorders at nutritional risk?

Objectives: Patients with mitochondrial disorders (MD) frequently present with gastrointestinal complaints, mainly gastrointestinal dysmotility, that interfere with their food intake. A deterioration of their nutritional state may worsen the course of the disease. Our study aimed to evaluate a simple screening tool to identify nutritional risk and perform an extended nutritional assessment to explore the potential presence of deficiencies in this population compared with controls.

Effect of preoperative immunonutrition on postoperative short-term outcomes of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) often acquire an impaired nutritional status resulting in compromised outcomes. Perioperative immunonutrition may have a positive effect on outcomes after elective surgery.

Methods: Short-term outcomes before and after implementation of preoperative immunonutrition were retrospectively assessed.

Simple training tool is insufficient for appropriate diagnosis and treatment of malnutrition: A pre-post intervention study in a tertiary center.

Objectives: To improve malnutrition awareness and management in our department of general internal medicine; to assess patients' nutritional risk; and to evaluate whether an online educational program leads to an increase in basic knowledge and more frequent nutritional therapies.

Methods: A prospective pre-post intervention study at a university department of general internal medicine was conducted. Nutritional screening using Nutritional Risk Score 2002 (NRS 2002) was performed, and prescriptions of nutritional therapies were assessed.

[An Uncommon Diagnosis].

We report on a 61-year-old patient who suffered from severe protein-energy malnutrition due to an inadequately treated exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. In this context, a thiamine deficiency was not recognized and there were clinical manifestations of beriberi disease with decompensated biventricular heart failure. In the course of time, a manifest niacin deficiency (pellagra) with dermatitis, diarrhea and persistent delirium occurred, which was recognized and could be treated.

Management of Home Parenteral Nutrition: A Prospective Multicenter Observational Study.

Background: There are no specific Swiss home parenteral nutrition (HPN) data showing patient characteristics, quality of life (QoL) and complications. The goal of this study was to collect representative nationwide data on current adult HPN patients in Switzerland for international comparability and benchmarking.

Methods: This was a multicenter, nationwide, observational study.

["Not to be taken lightly"].

A 78 year old patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus was hospitalized because of weakness and poor nutritional status. For several years, he suffered from an unintended weight loss and chronic, pulpy diarrhea. On examination, we found a severe loss of muscle and fat tissue as well as difficulty swallowing.

[Practical scores for the detection of malnutrition].

Malnutrition occurs in 30 - 60 % of hospitalized medical or surgical patients, as well as out-patients. Serious consequences at various levels were observed. Malnutrition influences negatively the quality of life, the immune system, muscle strength and worsens the prognosis of the patient.