Nutritional Laboratory Markers in Malnutrition

Abstract

Serum visceral proteins such as albumin and prealbumin have traditionally been used as markers of the nutritional status of patients. Prealbumin is nowadays often preferred over albumin due to its shorter half live, reflecting more rapid changes of the nutritional state. However, recent focus has been on an appropriate nutrition-focused physical examination and on the patient’s history for diagnosing malnutrition, and the role of inflammation as a risk factor for malnutrition has been more and more recognized. Inflammatory signals are potent inhibitors of visceral protein synthesis, and the use of these proteins as biomarkers of the nutritional status has been debated since they are strongly influenced by inflammation and less so by protein energy stores. The current consensus is that laboratory markers could be used as a complement to a thorough physical examination. Other markers of the nutritional status such as urinary creatinine or 3-methylhistidine as indicators of muscle protein breakdown have not found widespread use. Serum IGF-1 is less influenced by inflammation and falls during malnutrition. However, its concentration changes are not sufficiently specific to be useful clinically as a marker of malnutrition, and serum IGF-1 has less been used in clinical trials. Nevertheless, biomarkers of malnutrition such as prealbumin may be of interest as easily measurable predictors of the prognosis for surgical outcomes and of mortality in severe illnesses.

Distinct gut microbial communities and metabolic functions are associated with cachexia in lung cancer patients

“…2C and S2). Low serum cholesterol level has been previously suggested as a biomarker for malnutrition [18]. In our data, there was no difference in serum cholesterol level between the two groups (p = 0.774, Student's t-test).…”

Nutrition, Laboratory and Non-Laboratory Indicators and Its Various Values (Attributes)

“…Meanwhile, laboratory evaluation refers to early and later evaluation to estimate acute or chronic malnutrition (Retinol binding-protein involves early evaluation (plasma half-life about 10 hours), plasma albumin evaluates chronic malnutrition. (plasma half-life about 22 days) (Evaluation of the album assumes, for example: the need for replacement therapy in cirrhotic patients) (22,4,41). Retinol binding-protein (can compare with night blindness (3,4)), prealbumin, lipid profile, transferrin, albumin are laboratory evaluation criteria of malnutrition according to their plasma half-life (22,4,41).…”

“…(plasma half-life about 22 days) (Evaluation of the album assumes, for example: the need for replacement therapy in cirrhotic patients) (22,4,41). Retinol binding-protein (can compare with night blindness (3,4)), prealbumin, lipid profile, transferrin, albumin are laboratory evaluation criteria of malnutrition according to their plasma half-life (22,4,41). Albumin and lymphocyte nutritional index are an element of nutritional and prognostic assessment (e.g.…”

“…Albumin and lymphocyte nutritional index are an element of nutritional and prognostic assessment (e.g. : a cirrhotic patient has a high risk for secondary infections) (22,24). Spina bifida is a spectacular example of folate deficiencies.…”

Nutritional Management and Outcomes in Malnourished Medical Inpatients in 2020: The Evidence Is Growing!

“…The articles included cover the process of nutritional care, including screening tools to identify nutritional risk (Nutritional risk screening and assessment [11]), patient muscle mass assessment including bioimpedance analysis (Clinical value of muscle mass assessment in clinical conditions associated with malnutrition [12]; Decreased bioelectrical impedance phase angle in hospitalized children and adolescents with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes: a case-control study [13]), nutritional biomarkers (Nutritional laboratory markers in malnutrition [14]), nutritional therapy planning (Indirect calorimetry in clinical practice [15]; Micronutrient deficiencies in medical and surgical inpatients [16]), use of nutritional support overall (Efficacy and efficiency of nutritional support teams [17]; Challenges and perspectives in nutritional counselling and nursing: a narrative review [18]) and in specific patient populations (e.g., medical patients, critical care patients, geriatric patients, oncologic patients, patients after allogenic stem cell transplantation, patients with dysphagia or eating disorders, as well as the nutritional challenges associated with metabolic disorders) (Nutritional management of medical inpatients [19]; Medical nutrition therapy in critically ill patients treated on intensive and intermediate care units: a literature review [20]; Metabolic and nutritional characteristics of long-stay critically ill patients [21]; Protein intake, nutritional status, and outcomes in intensive care unit survivors: a single-center cohort study [22]; Early supplemental parenteral nutrition in critically ill children: an update [23]; Management of malnutrition in older patients-current approaches, evidence, and open questions [24]; Nutrition in cancer patients [25]; Management of dehydration in patients suffering swallowing difficulties [26]; Nutrition in gastrointestinal diseases: liver, pancreatic, and inflammatory bowel diseases [27]; Nutritional management and outcomes in malnourished medical inpatients: anorexia nervosa [28]; Nutritional challenges in metabolic syndrome [29]; Nutritional challenges in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis [30]). Potential complications of nutritional interventions, such as refeeding syndrome (Management of refeeding syndrome in medical inpatients [31]), and treatment challenges posed by gastric motility disorders are discussed (Gastroparesis and dumping syndrome: current concepts and management [32]).…”