Impact of 3-week citrulline supplementation on postprandial protein metabolism in malnourished older patients: The Ciproage randomized controlled trial.

Background: Citrulline (CIT), is not extracted by the splanchnic area, can stimulate muscle protein synthesis and could potentially find clinical applications in conditions involving low amino acid (AA) intake, such as in malnourished older subjects.

Objective: Our purpose was to research the effects of CIT supplementation on protein metabolism in particular on non-oxidative leucine disposal (NOLD, primary endpoint), and splanchnic extraction of amino acids in malnourished older patients.

Design: This prospective randomized multicenter study determined whole-body and liver protein synthesis, splanchnic protein metabolism and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) in 24 malnourished older patients [80-92 years; 18 women and 6 men] in inpatient rehabilitation units.

Preferences about information and decision-making among older patients with and without cancer.

Background: information of older patients with cancer is crucial to ensure optimal care.

Objectives: to compare older patients with and without cancer regarding their preferences about medical information, decision-making and surrogate designation.

Design: an intention-to-act questionnaire was completed by patients ≥70 y enroled in the ELderly CAncer PAtients cohort between January and June 2013 and by patients in the same age group enroled in a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2005 in acute geriatric wards.