Objective: To assess the relationship of participation in training courses on rehabilitation nutrition with sarcopenia evaluation rate and implementation of rehabilitation nutrition management.

Methods: An online questionnaire was administered to assess 4,621 members of the Japanese Association of Rehabilitation Nutrition. The members were divided into two groups according to participation or non-participation in training courses on rehabilitation nutrition. Muscle mass and strength evaluation rate, physical function measurements, nutrition planning with consideration for energy accumulation, nutritional supplement usage, and rehabilitation training with consideration for nutritional status were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to verify whether participation would be an independent factor.

Results: Of the 715 participants (15.5%) who answered the questionnaire, 536 (75%) participated and 179 (25%) did not participate in the training courses. The evaluation rates for muscle mass (odds ratio [OR]: 1.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24–2.59), nutrition planning with consideration for energy accumulation (OR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.44–3.33), and rehabilitation training with consideration for nutritional status (OR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.97–3.08) were significantly higher for members who participated in the training courses. The OR increased with an increase in the number of participations. Evaluation of muscle strength and physical function, and use of dietary supplements did not differ significantly between those who did and did not participate in the training courses.

Conclusion: Sarcopenia evaluation rate and implementation of rehabilitation nutrition management were associated with participation and the number of participations in the training courses on rehabilitation nutrition.

Background and Objective: In patients with acute inflammation, serum albumin level (Alb), which can reflect severity of inflammation as well as malnutrition risk, falls initially but usually recovers as the disease is cured and the quick recovery of Alb means treatment success. The aim of our study was to determine the predictors of delayed Alb recovery in patients with an inflammatory condition of acute cholecystitis (AC) treated nonoperatively.

Methods: A total of 69 patients (37 men) with AC treated without early surgery were enrolled with mean age 76.4±14.5 (29-99) years. We defined it as Alb recovery when Alb at 10 days after admission was equal or higher than that on admission. The following variables were evaluated as possible predictors: gender; age; Alb, CRP, and WBC counts on admission; severity of AC; comorbidity of diabetes; gallbladder drainage performance; initial infusion calory; and administration of aminoacids infusion.

Results: Fifty-nine patients showed delayed recovery and 10 non-delayed recovery. Between these two groups, age (79.5 years in delayed group; 58.7 years in non-delayed, P < 0.001) and WBC counts (13,573; 10,500, respectively, P = 0.036) were significantly different. Carrying out multivariable analysis, male gender (P = 0.033) and old age (P = 0.004) were proved to be significant predictors of delayed Alb recovery.

Conclusion: Because patients with AC treated nonoperatively who meet these criteria, male gender and old age, tend to undergo delayed Alb recovery, they should receive well-planned, intensive treatment as well as early nutritional support including consultation with a nutritional support team.

Purpose: Omega-3 fatty acids (O3FA) have been reported to ameliorate hyperbilirubinemia in children with intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD). However, little is known about its efficacy for other liver dysfunctions.

Methods: Patients' history and data were retrospectively collected from their medical records. Eighteen neonates were divided into two groups, IFALD neonates who required intestinal surgery (n=9) and non-IFALD icteric neonates (n=9). The efficacy of O3FA was analyzed in both groups. For statistical analysis, chi-square test was used in patients' background parameters, treatment period and response rate, and Mann-Whitney test was used in level of serum sitosterol and bilirubin, respectively.

Results: Patients' background such as gestational age (p=0.07), birth weight (p=0.5) and direct bilirubin (p=0.8) was not statistically different in both groups. The period of O3FA treatment in the IFALD and non-IFALD group was 57 days and 42 days, respectively (p=0.09). O3FA treatment ameliorated hyperbilirubinemia; response rate was 89% in IFALD group and 56% in non-IFALD group (p=0.13). One patient died of liver failure in IFALD group. In non-IFALD group, two patients died of primary diseases and two required liver transplantation.

Conclusion: IFALD neonates have high response rate to O3FA treatment. Further investigation is needed to determine the indication for O3FA treatment for non-IFALD neonates.