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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality in the United States. Many primary risk factors, such as dyslipidemia and blood pressure, are modifiable with diet and lifestyle interventions. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) interventions provided by registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN) or international equivalents, compared to usual care or no MNT, on lipid profile and blood pressure (secondary outcome) in adults with dyslipidemia. The databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between January 2005 and July 2021. Meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model for lipid outcomes (seven RCTs, n=838), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (three RCTs, n=308), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (two RCTs, n=109). Compared to usual care or no intervention, MNT provided by RDNs improved total cholesterol (total-C) [mean difference (95% CI): -20.84 mg/dL (-40.60, -1.07), P=0.04]; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) [-11.56 mg/dL (-21.10, -2.03), P=0.02]; triglycerides (TG) [-32.55 mg/dL (-57.78, -7.32), P=0.01];; and SBP [ -8.76 mm Hg (-14.06 lower to -3.45) P0.01].High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) [1.75 mg/dl (-1.43, 4.92), P=0.28] and DBP [-2.9 mm Hg (-7.89 to 2.09), P=0.25] were unchanged. Certainty of evidence was moderate for total-C, LDL-C, and TG, and low for HDL-C, SBP, and DBP. In conclusion, in adults with dyslipidemia, MNT interventions provided by RDNs are effective for improving serum lipids/lipoproteins and SBP levels.

Recent narrative reviews have described the potential efficacy of providing individuals infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with additional micronutrients to reduce disease severity. Although there are compelling reasons why providing additional micronutrients or conditional amino acids may affect COVID-19-related outcomes, evidence is lacking. The objective of this scoping review is to explore and describe the literature examining the effect of providing additional micronutrients or conditional amino acids (glutamine, arginine) in adults with conditions or infections similar to COVID-19 infection on COVID-19-related health outcomes. A literature search of the MEDLINE database and hand search of Cochrane Database of systematic reviews retrieved 1,423 unique studies, and 8 studies were included in this scoping review. Four studies examined a target population with ventilator-related pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome, and the other 4 studies included patients who were at risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia. Interventions included intravenous ascorbic acid, intramuscular cholecalciferol, enteral and intramuscular vitamin E, enteral zinc sulfate, and oral and parenteral glutamine. In 6 of the 8 included studies, baseline status of the nutrient of interest was not reported and, thus, it is uncertain how outcomes may vary in the context of nutrient deficiency or insufficiency compared with sufficiency. In the absence of direct evidence examining efficacy of providing additional micronutrients or conditional amino acids to standard care, registered dietitian nutritionists must rely on clinical expertise and indirect evidence to guide medical nutrition therapy for patients infected with COVID-19.

Recent evidence examining adults infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has indicated a significant impact of malnutrition on health outcomes. Individuals who have multiple comorbidities, are older adults, or who are malnourished, are at increased risk of being admitted to the intensive care unit and of mortality from COVID-19 infections. Therefore, nutrition care to identify and address malnutrition is critical in treating and preventing further adverse health outcomes from COVID-19 infection. This document provides guidance and practice considerations for registered dietitian nutritionists providing nutrition care for adults with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection in the hospital, outpatient, or home care settings. In addition, this document discusses and provides considerations for registered dietitian nutritionists working with individuals at risk of malnutrition secondary to food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines (EBNPGs) inform registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) care for patients with chronic kidney disease grade 5 treated by dialysis; however, there has been little evaluation of best practices for implementing EBNPGs. In this effectiveness-implementation hybrid study with a quasi-experimental design, United States RDNs in hemodialysis clinics will document initial and follow-up nutrition care for patients with chronic kidney disease grade 5 treated by dialysis using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Health Informatics Infrastructure before and after being randomly assigned to a training model: (1) EBNPG knowledge training or (2) EBNPG knowledge training plus an implementation toolkit. The aims of the study include examining congruence of RDN documentation of nutrition care with the EBNPG; describing common RDN-reported EBNPG acceptability, adoption, and adaptation issues; and determining the feasibility of estimating the impact of RDN care on nutrition-related patient outcomes. The AUGmeNt study can inform effective development and implementation of future EBNPGs. Keywords: Chronic kidney diseases; medical nutrition therapy; implementation science; clinical practice guideline; nutrition care process terminology; dietitian

Nutrition and dietetics practice should be based on the highest-quality and most recent available evidence. Unfortunately, translating research to day-to-day practice often involves long lag times. Implementation science is an emerging field that evaluates methods that promote uptake of research findings into daily practice. Numerous theories and frameworks have been developed to provide guidance for implementation research and operationalization of recommendations. This paper provides a broad overview of implementation science and highlights frameworks such as the Normalization Process Theory that can be used by registered dietitian nutritionist (RDNs) to encourage systematic uptake of evidence into practice.

Adequate protein intake by very-low-birth-weight preterm infants (≤1,500 g at birth) is essential to optimize growth and development. The estimated needs for this population are the highest of all humans, however, the recommended intake has varied greatly over the past several years. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), and Cochrane Central databases to identify randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of prescribed protein intake and identified outcomes. Articles were screened by 2 reviewers, risk of bias was assessed, data were synthesized quantitatively and narratively, and each outcome was separately graded for certainty of evidence. The literature search retrieved 25,384 articles and 2 trials were included in final analysis. No trials were identified that evaluated effect of protein amount on morbidities or mortality. Moderate certainty evidence found a significant difference in weight gain when protein intake of greater than 3.5 g/kg/day from preterm infant formula was compared with lower intakes. Low-certainty evidence found no evidence of effect of protein intake of 2.6 vs 3.1 vs 3.8 g/kg/day on length, head circumference, skinfold measurements, or mid-arm circumference. Low-certainty evidence found some improvement in development measures when higher protein intake of 3.8 vs 3.1 vs 2.6 g/kg/day were compared. Low-certainty evidence found no significant difference in bone mineral content when these protein intakes were compared. No studies were identified that compared protein intake greater than 4.0 g/kg/day. This systematic review found that protein intake between 3.5 and 4.0 g/kg/day promotes weight gain and improved development.

Older adults living in the community or long-term residence such as a nursing home are at increased risk for malnutrition due to factors such as depression and isolation. The purpose of this scoping review is to identify the best available research that evaluates the validity and reliability of nutrition assessment tools, and the effectiveness of nutrition interventions to prevent or treat malnutrition among older adults. A literature search was conducted in Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central databases to identify clinical trials, published in the English language, evaluating assessment and intervention methods aimed to treat or prevent malnutrition among older adults living in the community or their long-term residence such as nursing homes. Articles were screened by 2 reviewers, then data were extracted and narratively synthesized. The literature search retrieved 20,937 articles and 197 articles were included in narrative synthesis. A total of 73 assessment articles were identified, 36 of which were validity and reliability trials. A total of 122 intervention articles were identified, the majority of which were randomized controlled trials. A few of the most commonly evaluated interventions were oral nutrition supplements, medical nutrition therapy, fortification and enrichment, and nutrition education. Several systematic reviews were identified, however, that did not meet the criteria of this review. There is a need to conduct systematic reviews for nutrition assessment and intervention trials to guide development of evidence-based nutrition practice recommendations for older adults living in the community or their long-term residence.

Background Eleven recommendations, based on systematic reviews, were developed for the Evidence Analysis Library's prevention of type 2 diabetes project. Two recommendations, medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and weight loss, were rated strong. Objective Present the basis of systematic reviews for MNT and weight loss recommendations. Methods Literature searches using Medline were conducted to identify studies that met eligibility criteria. The MNT literature search covered a time span of 1995 to 2012, the weight loss literature search covered 2008 to 2012 due to inclusion of a Cochrane Review meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in 2008. Eligibility criteria for inclusion of articles included original research using higher-quality study designs (ie, RCTs, case control, cohort, crossover, and nonrandomized trials) with participants aged >18 years and meeting prediabetes or metabolic syndrome diagnostic criteria. MNT was defined as individualized and delivered by a registered dietitian nutritionist or international equivalent and length of weight loss interventions was ≥3 months. Main outcome measures Two-hour postprandial blood glucose level, glycated hemoglobin level, albumin-to-creatinine ratio (metabolic syndrome samples only), fasting blood glucose level, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride levels, urinary albumin excretion rate (metabolic syndrome samples only), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio were evaluated. Results For MNT, 11 publications were included, with all 11 using an RCT study design and 10 including participants with prediabetes. A majority of publications reported significant improvements in glycemic outcomes, WC, and blood pressure. For weight loss, 28 publications were identified, with one meta-analysis (only included RCTs) and 20 publications using an RCT study design, with the meta-analysis and 10 RCTs including participants with prediabetes. A majority of publications reported significant improvements in glycemic outcomes, triglyceride level, WC, and blood pressure. Conclusions Systematic reviews provided strong evidence that MNT and weight loss alter clinical parameters in ways that should reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the evidence for the effect of protein and energy via enteral nutrition on identified outcomes in very low birthweight preterm infants. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central and PubMed databases for the period of January 1980-November 2017 for all peer-reviewed articles examining preterm infant nutrition. A multidisciplinary volunteer expert Workgroup and staff screened articles according to defined inclusion criteria (randomized controlled trials, enteral fed preterm infants with birthweight

OBJECTIVES: Nutrition guidelines for preterm infants based on systematic reviews are lacking. To address this need, the National Institute of Health and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) initiated a two phase project. Phase I: Convene stakeholders to identify topic areas and questions for preterm infant nutrition care. Phase II: Conduct scoping and systematic reviews, and develop evidence- based guidelines. This abstract presents summarized results of conducted macronutrient systematic reviews for the Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) Preterm Infant Guideline. METHODS: The workgroup conducted scoping and systematic reviews. Identified macronutrient intake articles were categorized into the following subtopics: protein amount, protein type, fat amount, fat type, energy, breastmilk fortification, formula enrichment, and pasteurization. Inclusion criteria was limited to preterm infants

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the evidence for the effect of omega 3 fatty acids via enteral nutrition on identified outcomes in the very low birthweight preterm infant population. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central, PubMed databases for the period of January 1980-November 2017 for all peer-reviewed articles examining preterm infant nutrition. A multidisciplinary volunteer expert Workgroup and staff screened articles according to defined inclusion criteria (randomized controlled trials, enteral fed preterm infants

VIDENCE-BASED NUTRITION practice guidelines generated from systematic reviews are imperative for registered dietitian nutritionists to provide safe and effective care. These guidelines are the foundation on which practitioners base their patient care, third party payers compensate care, and public policymakers set standards for general care. Systematic reviews are at the core of evidence-based guidelines and are a “rigorous and transparent approach of synthesizing scientific evidence that minimizes bias.” 1 The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy) has a commitment to evidence-based research that was fully realized in 2004 when the Evidence Analysis Library (EAL) (www. andeal.org) was launched. The EAL is a series of systematic reviews and nutrition practice guidelines for registered dietitian nutritionists and other members of health care teams. Meticulous methods are rigorously followed to ensure objectivity, transparency, and reproducibility of the process. The objective of this article is to describe the current methodology of the Academy’s systematic review process for the EAL.

Background Evidence Based Dietetics Practice Toolkits are resources intended to assist registered dietitians (RDs) in implementing nutrition guidelines derived from systematic reviews. Objectives Surveys, sent at least one year past publication, were used to explore who uses toolkits, how toolkits are used, and if RDs find toolkits useful for implementation of guidelines. Methods A standard questionnaire was sent to 1379 individuals for six toolkits (Celiac Disease, Critical Illness, Diabetes, Heart Failure, Oncology, and Paediatric Overweight) in 2011 and 2012, using Survey Monkey. Results Responses received were 131 (9%), of which 42% were RDs in practice >15 years, in direct care (63%), and in settings of outpatient (51%) and inpatient (31%). Respondents mostly used toolkits for patient care (66%), nutrition counselling (40%) and development of forms (37%). Regarding the tools provided, 66% of respondents indicated that they found the summary of nutrition care and patient education materials to be very/somewhat useful or useful. The same was true for 63% for the case studies, 61% for the flowchart of patient encounters, 60% for the patient encounter process instructions and 56% for the sample documentation forms. Some respondents (24%) seldom or never used the guidelines prior to toolkit use; however, 65% indicated that the toolkit was useful in translating the guidelines to practice. Discussion The implementation of guidelines is often overlooked yet is crucial to changing practice. These toolkits allow a useful strategy for assisting with implementation. Similar practice tools, tailored to practitioners and setting, may be useful in guideline implementation for a variety of conditions.