Serum nutritional predictive biomarkers and risk assessment for anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic surgery in rectal cancer patients

BACKGROUND Anastomotic leakage(AL)is one of the severest complications after laparoscopic surgery for middle/low rectal cancer,significantly impacting patient outcomes.Identifying reliable predictive factors for AL remains a clinical challenge.Serum nutritional biomarkers have been implicated in surgical outcomes but are un-derexplored as predictive tools for AL in this setting.Our study hypothesizes that preoperative serum levels of prealbumin(PA),albumin(ALB),and transferrin(TRF),along with surgical factors,can accurately predict AL risk.AIM To determine the predictive value of preoperative serum nutritional biomarkers for rectal cancer AL following laparoscopic surgery.METHODS In the retrospective cohort study carried out at a tertiary cancer center,we examined 560 individuals who underwent laparoscopic procedures for rectal cancer from 2018 to 2022.Preoperative serum levels of PA,ALB,and TRF were measured.We employed multivariate logistic regression to determine the independent risk factors for AL,and a predictive model was constructed and evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.RESULTS AL occurred in 11.96%of cases,affecting 67 out of 560 patients.Multivariate analysis identified PA,ALB,and TRF as the independent risk factor,each with an odds ratio of 2.621[95%confidence interval(CI):1.582-3.812,P=0.012],3.982(95%CI:1.927-4.887,P=0.024),and 2.109(95%CI:1.162-2.981,P=0.031),respectively.Tumor location(<7 cm from anal verge)and intraoperative bleeding≥300 mL also increased AL risk.The predictive model demonstrated an excellent accuracy,achieving an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.942,a sensitivity of 0.844,and a specificity of 0.922,demonstrating an excellent ability to discriminate.CONCLUSION Preoperative serum nutritional biomarkers,combined with surgical factors,reliably predict anastomotic leakage risk after rectal cancer surgery,highlighting their importance in preoperative assessment.

Study on the Accuracy of Serum Prealbumin Level in Predicting the Prognosis of Patients with Critical Respiratory Illness

Objective: To analyze the accuracy of serum prealbumin levels in predicting the prognosis of patients with critical respiratory illness. Methods: Fifty patients with critical respiratory illness admitted to our hospital from October 2022 to September 2023 were selected and divided into an observation group and a control group after condition assessment, with 25 cases in each group. The results of cholinesterase (ChE), prealbumin (PALB), albumin (ALB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein (TP), and forced expiratory volume (FEV1)/Predicted (Pred) of the two groups were measured. Results: The ChE levels of the observation group were lower than those of the control group, while the PALB and ALB levels of the observation group were higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The AST, TP, and FEV1 /Pred levels of the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Serum PALB levels can be used as the main indicator for prognosis in critically ill respiratory patients.

Prevention,diagnostic evaluation,management and prognostic implications of liver disease in critically ill patients with COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2,broke out in December 2019 in Wuhan city of China and spread rapidly worldwide.Therefore,by March 2020,the World Health Organization declared the disease a global pandemic.Apart from the respiratory system,various other organs of the human body are also seriously affected by the virus.Liver injury in patients with a severe form of COVID-19 is estimated to be 14.8%-53.0%.Elevated levels of total bilirubin,aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase and low levels of serum albumin and prealbumin are the main laboratory findings.Patients with pre-existing chronic liver disease and cirrhosis are much more prone to develop severe liver injury.This literature review presented the recent scientific findings regarding the pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for liver injury in critically ill patients with COVID-19,the various interactions between drugs used to treat the disease and the function of the liver and the specific tests providing the possibility of early diagnosis of severe liver injury in these patients.Moreover,it highlighted the burden that COVID-19 put on health systems worldwide and its effect on transplant programs and the care provided to critically ill patients in general and particularly to those with chronic liver disease.

Prealbumin is predictive for postoperative liver insufficiency in patients undergoing liver resection

AIM:To investigate the risk factors for postoperative liver insufficiency in patients with Child-Pugh class A liver function undergoing liver resection.METHODS:A total of 427 consecutive patients undergoing partial hepatectomy from October 2007 to April 2011 at a single center(Department of Hepatic SurgeryⅠ,Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital,Shanghai,China) were included in the study.All the patients had preoperative liver function of Child-Pugh class A and were diagnosed as having primary liver cancer by postoperative histopathology.Surgery was performed by the same team and hepatic resection was carried out by a clamp crushing method.A clamp/unclamp time of 15 min/5 min was adopted for hepatic inflow occlusion.Patients' records of demographic variables,intraoperative parameters,pathological findings and laboratory test results were reviewed.Postoperative liver insufficiency and failure were defined as prolonged hyperbilirubinemia unrelated to biliary obstruction or leak,clinically apparent ascites,prolonged coagulopathy requiring frozen fresh plasma,and/or hepatic encephalopathy.The incidence of postoperative liver insufficiency or liver failure was observed and the attributing risk factors were analyzed.A multivariate analysis was conducted to determine the independent predictive factors.RESULTS:Among the 427 patients,there were 362 males and 65 females,with a mean age of 51.1 ± 10.4 years.Most patients(86.4%) had a background of viral hepatitis and 234(54.8%) patients had liver cirrhosis.Indications for partial hepatectomy included hepatocellular carcinoma(391 patients),intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(31 patients) and a combination of both(5 patients).Hepatic resections of ≤ 3 and ≥ 4 liver segments were performed in 358(83.8%) and 69(16.2%) patients,respectively.Seventeen(4.0%) patients developed liver insufficiency after hepatectomy,of whom 10 patients manifested as prolonged hyperbilirubinemia unrelated to biliary obstruction or leak,6 patients had clinically apparent ascites and prolonged coagulopathy,1 patient had hepatic encephalopathy and died on day 21 after surgery.On univariate analysis,age ≥ 60 years and prealbumin < 170 mg/dL were found to be significantly correlated with postoperative liver insufficiency(P = 0.045 and P = 0.009,respectively).There was no statistical difference in postoperative liver insufficiency between patients with or without hepatitis,liver cirrhosis and esophagogastric varices.Intraoperative parameters(type of resection,inflow blood occlusion time,blood loss and blood transfusion) and laboratory test results were not associated with postoperative liver insufficiency either.Age ≥ 60 years and prealbumin < 170 mg/dL were selected on multivariate analysis,and only prealbumin < 170 mg/dL remained predictive(hazard ratio,3.192;95%CI:1.185-8.601,P = 0.022).CONCLUSION:Prealbumin serum level is a predictive factor for postoperative liver insufficiency in patients with liver function of Child-Pugh class A undergoing hepatectomy.Since prealbumin is a good marker of nutritional status,the improved nutritional status may decrease the incidence of liver insufficiency.

Effect of preoperative immunonutrition and other nutrition models on cellular immune parameters

AIM:To evaluate the effects of preoperative immunonutrition and other nutrition models on the cellular immunity parameters of patients with gastrointestinal tumors before surgical intervention.In addition,effects on postoperative complications were examined. METHODS:Patients with gastrointestinal tumors were randomized into 3 groups.The immunonutrition group received a combination of arginine,fatty acids and nucleotides.The second and third group received normal nutrition and standard enteral nutrition,respectively.Nutrition protocols were administered for 7 d prior to the operation.Nutritional parameters,in particular prealbumin levels and lymphocyte subpopulations(CD4+,CD8+,CD16+/56+,and CD69 cells)were evaluated before and after the nutrition protocols.Groups were compared in terms of postoperative complications and duration of hospital stay. RESULTS:Of the 42 patients who completed thestudy,16 received immunonutrition,13 received normal nutrition and 13 received standard enteral nutrition. prealbumin values were low in every group,but this parameter was improved after the nutritional protocol only in the immunonutrition group(13.64±8.83 vs 15.98±8.66,P=0.037).Groups were similar in terms of CD4+,CD16+/56,and CD69+prior to the nutritional protocol;whereas CD8+was higher in the standard nutrition group compared to the immunonutrition group.After nutritional protocols,none of the groups had an increase in their lymphocyte subpopulations.Also,groups did not differ in terms of postoperative complications and postoperative durations of hospital stay. CONCLUSION:Preoperative immunonutrition provided a significant increase in prealbumin levels,while it did not significantly alter T lymphocyte subpopulation counts,the rate of postoperative complications and the duration of hospital stay.

Serum prealbumin as an effective prognostic indicator for determining clinical status and prognosis in patients with hemorrhagic stroke

Serum prealbumin is a recognized marker of malnutrition,but its prognostic role in patients with hemorrhagic stroke remains unclear.In this study,we retrospectively reviewed the records of 105 patients with hemorrhagic stroke admitted to Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University,China,from January to December 2015.We collected demographic and radiological data,and recorded serum prealbumin levels at admission and on days 1,3,6,9,and 14-21.The existence of infections and gastrointestinal hemorrhage,and clinical condition at discharge were also recorded.Serum prealbumin levels during hospitalization were significantly lower in patients with infections compared with those without infections,and also significantly lower in patients with gastrointestinal hemorrhage compared with those without.Serum prealbumin levels at discharge were significantly higher in patients with good recovery than in those with poor recovery.We conclude that regular serum prealbumin measurements in patients with hemorrhagic stroke may be a useful indicator for determining clinical status and prognosis,which may therefore help to guide clinical decision-making.

Implications of preoperative hypoalbuminemia in colorectal surgery

Serum albumin has traditionally been used as a quantitative measure of a patient's nutritional status because of its availability and low cost. While malnutrition has a clear definition within both the American and European Societies for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition clinical guidelines, individual surgeons often determine nutritional status anecdotally. Preoperative albumin level has been shown to be the best predictor of mortality after colorectal cancer surgery. Specifically in colorectal surgical patients, hypoalbuminemia significantly increases the length of hospital stay, rates of surgical site infections, enterocutaneous fistula risk, and deep vein thrombosis formation. The delay of surgical procedures to allow for preoperative correction of albumin levels in hypoalbuminemic patients has been shown to improve the morbidity and mortality in patients with severe nutritional risk. The importance of preoperative albumin levels and the patient's chronic inflammatory state on the postoperative morbidity and mortality has led to the development of a variety of surgical scoring systems to predict outcomes efficiently. This review attempts to provide a systematic overview of albumin and its role and implications in colorectal surgery.

Use of the alkaline phosphatase to prealbumin ratio as an independent predictive factor for the prognosis of gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is characterized by a low 5-year survival rate.The prognosis is still not satisfactory although it has significantly improved due to developments in medicine.Thus,the identification of more efficient indices for the evaluation of GC prognosis is required.We propose,for the first time,that the alkaline phosphatase(ALP)to prealbumin(PA)ratio(APR)can be used as an independent prognostic factor in GC.AIM To evaluate the prognostic value the APR in GC.METHODS According to the exclusion strategy,we collected the preoperative serologic examination results and clinical information of 409 GC patients treated in Shandong Provincial Hospital from January to December,2016.By calculating the APR,the neutrophil and lymphocyte ratio(NLR),C-reactive protein(CRP)and albumin(ALB)ratio,platelet and lymphocyte ratio,lymphocyte and monocyte ratio,and the relationship with clinical information,we verified the role of preoperative APR ratio in the prognosis of GC.In addition,we used a Cox model combined with the APR and tumor stage to demonstrate its efficacy in assessing the prognosis of GC patients.RESULTS Preoperative APR was an independent prognostic factor for GC.The median age of patients in the APR-high group was greater compared with that in the APR-low group.Patients with a higher APR had a more advanced clinical stage,higher neutrophil to lymphocyte,CRP to ALB,and platelet to lymphocyte ratios,but a lower lymphocyte to monocyte ratio(P<0.05).The APR-high group also had higher glycoprotein antigen 199 and carbohydrate antigen 125 levels than the APR-low group(P<0.05).Median overall survival and disease-free survival were significantly longer in the APR-low group than in the APR-high group.In addition,a Cox model based on the APR and tumor stage was more effective in evaluating the prognosis of patients than models based on stage alone or stage plus the NLR.CONCLUSION A higher APR is an independent and negative prognostic factor for GC.The prognosis of GC can be better evaluated using a Cox model based on the APR and stage.

Altered Nutrition State in the Severe Multiple Trauma Patients Undergoing Adjuvant Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Nutritional Support Therapy

In order to observe the nutrition state in the severe multiple trauma patients undergoing adjuvant recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) nutritional support therapy, 45 patients with severe multiple traumas (ISS>25) were randomly divided into 3 groups. All the 3 groups had been supplied with nitrogen and caloricity according to the need of patients for 16 days. The rhGH therapy started 48 h after surgery and lasted for 14 days in two rhGH-treated groups in which rhGH was 0.2 and 0.4 U/(kg·d) respectively, and the resting group served as control one. The levels of nitrogen balance, prealbumin and safety variables (blood sugar, Na+, TT3 and TT4) were observed and com- pared among the three groups. The levels of nitrogen balance on the postoperative day (POD) 3 and 5 in the rhGH-treated groups were -1.28±3.19, 5.45±2.00 and -0.18±2.55, 6.11±1.60, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (-5.17±1.68 and -1.08±3.31, P<0.01). The values of prealbumin on the POD 3 and 5 in the rhGH-treated groups were 180.19±27.15, 194.44±50.82 and 194.94±29.65, 194.11±16.17, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (117.42±19.10 and 135.63±28.31, P<0.01). There was no sig- nificant difference between the rhGH 0.2 U/(kg·d) group and rhGH 0.4 U/(kg·d) group in both of the levels of nitrogen balance and prealbumin. It is concluded that the nutritional support therapy with adjuvant rhGH which starts 48 h after surgery improves the nutrition state of the patients with severe multiple trauma. It is safe for severe multiple trauma patients who accept rhGH at the dose of 0.2 and 0.4 U/(kg·d).

Changes and significance of procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, peripheral leukocyte count and prealbumin in patients with severe pneumonia

Objective: Analyze the expression and clinical significance of procalcitonin (PCT) C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count (WBCC) and prealbumin (PAA) in severe pneumonia by grouping contrast study. Methods: A total of 161 cases of pneumonia were treated in a hospital from January 2017 to June 2017 as the research objects. According to the standard of severe pneumonia, 104 cases were divided into mild pneumonia group and 57 cases were divided into severe disease group. 60 healthy persons who came to our hospital for physical examination at the same time were taken as the control group.The general data of the three groups and the level of PCT, CRP, WBC, PA were compared and analyzed. Results: The age and male ratio of severe group were higher than those of control group and mild group;compared with control group, the expression of PCT, CRP, WBC in the two pneumonia group were significantly higher, while the expression of PA was significantly lower;however, the expression of PCT, CRP, WBC in severe group were significantly higher than that in mild group, while the expression of PA in severe group was significantly lower than that in mild group. PCT has higher sensitivity, specificity and accuracy among the four indexes and it has important diagnostic value. Conclusion: PCT has higher specificity, accuracy and sensitivity in the early diagnosis of severe pneumonia, and it can be used as an important index in the early diagnosis of severe pneumonia.But the combined detection of the three indexes of PCT, CRP and WBC is helpful for diagnosing severe pneumonia more accurately.

Effects of fasting and preoperative feeding in children

AIM： To investigate whether children should undergo surgery without a long period of fasting after feeding. METHODS： Eighty children with inguinoscrotal disorders （aged 1-10 years） were studied prospectively. They were divided into eight groups that each contained 10 children who were fed normal liquid food （NLF） and a high-calorie diet （HCD） 2, 3, 4 and 5 h before surgery, in two doses at 6-h intervals. NLF was given to four groups and HCD to the other four. In all groups, glucose, prealbumin and cortisol levels in the blood were measured twice： just after oral feeding and just before the operation. After the establishment of adequate anesthesia, gastric residue liquid was measured with a syringe. RESULTS： Blood glucose levels in all patients fed NLF and HCD were high, except in patients inthe HCD-4 group. There was no significant difference in the blood prealbumin levels. There was a significant increase in the blood cortisol levels in the NLF-2 （14.4± 5.7）, HCD-2 （13.2 ± 6.0）, NLF-3 （10.9± 6.4）, and HCD-5 （6.8 ± 5.7） groups （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： The stress of surgery may be tolerated by children when they are fed up to 2 h before elective surgery.Key words： Cortisol; Diet; Fasting; Food; Glucose; Liquids; Prealbumin

Sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma:efficacy and predictive factors

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with sorafenib and determine the predictive factors for survival.Methods:From April 2009 to December 2010,all patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with sorafenib were included in the study.Clinical data and survival time were collected.Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method,and predictive factors for survival were analysed using the Cox's model.Results:A total of 51 patients were included in the study,the median time of follow-up was 10 months(range 1-22).All the 51 patients had one or more adverse events,of which 2 patients died of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and 6 patients discontinued treatment.The mean survival time was 11 months and 1-year survival was 60.8%.On univariate analysis,the median survival time of patients with tumors of BCLC A,B and C were 17,12.5 and 8.5 months,and 1-year survival were 71.4%,61.1%,and 23.1%, respectively(P=0.006).Compared with those with mild and poor arterial supply tumors,patients with good arterial supply tumors had longer median survival time(12 months vs 8 months and 9 months) and higher 1-year survival(52.0%vs 30.8%and 38.5%)(P=0.037).Patients with portal invasion had shorter median survival time and lower 1-year survival(8.5 months vs 13 months and 57.6%vs 16.7%,respectively) than those without(P=0.012).Patients with prealbumin≥170 mg/L had longer median survival time and higher 1-year survival(13.5 months vs 9 months and 55.6%vs 36.4%,respectively) than those with prealbumin<170 mg/L(P=0.016).Early tumor BCLC staging and high level of prealbumin were independent predictive factors for survival on multivariate analysis using Cox's regression model,the hazard ratio were 3.69(95%CI:1.30-10.53,P=0.015) and 3.53(95%CI:1.40-8.91,P=0.008) respectively.Conclusion:Upper gastrointestinal bleeding was a severe event need to be concerned in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with sorafenib.Patients with high level of prealbumin could benefit more from sorafenib treatment,and prealbumin could be a predictor for survival in HCC patients treated with sorafenib.

Expression differences of serum prealbumin in benign and malignant colorectal tumors

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the expression differences of serum prealbumin in patients with benign and malignant colorectal tumors and its clinical significance. Methods: The concentrations of total protein, albumin, prealbumin, hemoglobin of 113 colorectal cancer patients(cancer group) and 87 colorectal adenomas(adenoma group) were tested in Yixing Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University(China) during August 2013 to December 2013. Then the differences between the two groups were compared. Results: In colorectal cancer patients, the concentrations of serum prealbumin in 39/113 cases, total protein in 16/113 cases, albumin in 38/113, hemoglobin in 32/113 were lower than normal ranges. While, in colorectal adenoma patients, the concentrations of serum prealbumin in 4/87 cases, total protein in 2/87, albumin in 1/87, hemoglobin in 2/87 were below the detection limit. Comparative analysis showed that, average expression levels of serum prealbumin, albumin, total protein, hemoglobin in colorectal cancer patients were lower than those of colorectal adenoma patients, the difference was statistically significant(P < 0.05), and colorectal cancer patients were more likely to have lower levels of above indicators(P < 0.05). Conclusion: Compared to colorectal adenoma patients, patients with colorectal cancer have lower average expression levels, and were easier to have lower expression levels of serum albumin, albumin, total protein and hemoglobin, which suggest that colorectal cancer patients are more likely to have metabolic change, and clinic notable.

Serum Calprotectin and Prealbumin Levels among Ovarian Cancer Patients Aged 30 - 45 Years

Purpose: Serum calprotectin and prealbumin have been previously linked with ovarian cancer. However, to date, their effectiveness in the diagnosis of the disease remains uncertain. The purpose of the present study is to determine whether serum prealbumin and calprotectin correlate with the stage and type of histologic diagnosis. Materials-Methods: In the present study, we included 80 women aged 30 - 45 years that had either primary ovarian cancer (Stages 1 and 2) with elevated levels of CA-125 (n = 40) or were healthy (n = 40). Serum calprotectin and prealbumin levels were assessed using ELISA kits. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS v.20.0 statistical software. Results: Both plasma prealbumin and calprotectin levels were significantly different in patients with ovarian cancer compared to healthy controls. Specifically, serum prealbumin levels showed a level towards decreasing as the stage of the disease advanced (21.2 (15.5 - 30.6) in healthy controls, 12.8 (6.9 - 16) for patients with stage 1 disease and 9.9 (4.0 - 15.5) for patients with stage 2 disease p p Conclusions: Both prealbumin and calprotectin seem to be useful markers for the identification of patients suffering from ovarian cancer.

The Correlation Analysis of NRS 2002,Patient-generated Subjective Global Assessment,Prealbumin,Transferrin,and Handgrip Strength in Nutritional Screening and Evaluation in Patients with Gastric Cancer

Objective The present study was designed to explore the correlations between prealbumin(PA),transferrin(TF),handgrip strength and nutrition risk screening tool 2002(NRS 2002),patient-generated subjective global assessment(PG-SGA)in preoperative nutritional screening and evaluation in gastric cancer patients.Methods 132 cases of gastric cancer patients undergoing surgical treatment from May 2015 to January 2018 were screened and evaluated by NRS 2002 and PG-SGA within 48 h after admission,and the PA,TF and handgrip strength were measured for each patient.Results The levels of PA,TF,and handgrip strength in the nutritional risk group(NRS 2002≥3)and the malnutrition group(PG-SGA≥4)were significantly lower than that in non-nutrition risk group(NRS 2002<3)and non-malnutrition group(PG-SGA<4).The levels of PA,TF,and handgrip strength of preoperative patients were negatively correlated with NRS 2002 and PG-SGA scores(P<0.05).NRS 2002 and PG-SGA scores were positively correlated(r=0.712,P<0.01).Conclusion The preoperative nutritional risk and malnutrition rate in patients with gastric cancer are high.The combined application of PA,TF,handgrip strength,NRS 2002,and PG-SGA is more helpful for nutritional screening and assessment in gastric cancer patients.

Integration of Prealbumin into Child-Pugh Classification Improves Prognosis Predicting Accuracy in HCC Patients Considering Curative Surgery

Background and Aims:The poor outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)patients may be due to not only malignant tumors but also limited liver function.Therefore,as stated in major guidelines,only patients with relatively normal liver function(Child-Pugh A)would be referred for curative hepatectomy.Even so,the postsurgery survival rate of patients is still extremely poor.Direct curative resection may benefit most patients.This study aimed to improve the prognosis predicting accuracy of the Child-Pugh scoring system.Methods:This study included two cohorts:cohort A being composed of 613 HCC patients,with a 23-month median postsurgery follow-up time;and cohort B being composed of 554 tumor-free chronic liver disease patients.Kaplan-Meier test and Cox model were used for survival analysis.Independent-samples t test or one-way ANOVA was used to test the differences between different groups.Results:Serum prealbumin levels were found inversely correlated with worsening of flbrotic scores(r=-0.482,p<0.001).Lower levels of presurgery prealbumin was an independent factor of poor postsurgery prognosis in Child-Pugh A patients,with a hazard ratio of 0.731(p=0.001).By integrating prealbumin together with total bilirubin level,serum albumin concentration and prothrombin time,a modified liver disease prognosis scoring system was developed to define traditional Child-Pugh A HCC patients as Modified Child-Pugh MCP-1,MCP-2 and MCP-3,with median postsurgery overall survival times of 44.00,28.00 and 11.00 months respectively.Conclusions:Preoperative serum prealbumin is a valuable prognosis predicting biomarker for Child-Pugh A HCC patients who may be under consideration for curative resection.With serum prealbumin included as one of the parameters,the MCP scoring system might improve the postsurgery survival predicting accuracy for HCC patients.