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Aim Immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) triggers immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The relevance of lipase elevation remains unclear. Patients and methods Skin cancer patients with newly detected serum lipase elevation (at least twofold upper normal limit) or newly diagnosed type I diabetes mellitus upon ICI therapy were retrospectively collected at 14 German skin cancer centres. Results We identified 68 patients with lipase elevation occurring after a median time of 19 (range 1–181) weeks on ICI, 15 (22%) thereof had symptoms consistent with pancreatitis. Forty-seven patients (73%) had other irAE, mainly colitis. Discontinuation (n = 24, 35%) or interruption (n = 26, 38%) of ICI resulted in decrease of lipase after reinduction of ICI lipase levels increased again in 12 of 24 patients. In 18 patients (27%), ICI was continued unchanged, and in 12 (67%) of them, lipase levels normalised. Twenty-two patients were identified with newly diagnosed type I diabetes mellitus related to ICI, and 12 (55%) thereof had also lipase elevation mainly shortly before or after the diagnosis of diabetes. Fourteen (64%) patients had other irAE, mainly thyroiditis. Irrespective of lipase elevation, patients frequently showed a rapid onset with ketoacidosis, decreased c-peptide, and strongly increased blood glucose levels. Conclusion Increased serum lipase during ICI is often not associated with pancreatitis but with other irAE as possible cause. Therefore, it might be sufficient to regularly monitor blood glucose levels and perform further workup only in case of signs or symptoms of pancreatitis and/or exocrine pancreas insufficiency.

Patients with end-stage cancer and advanced chronic bowel disease are often malnourished, which has a negative effect on patients' outcome, well-being, and activity. It is inconclusive whether these patients benefit from home parenteral nutrition. This prospective exploratory study investigates its influence on nutrition state, muscle strength, mobility, and quality of life.Patients ≥18 years old with an indication for home parenteral nutrition were included and followed for 2-24 months. Nutrition parameters, activity, and quality of life were assessed.Forty-eight patients participated (mean age 11.5 years), and 85% were severely malnourished (subjective global assessment score, class C). Four weeks after parenteral nutrition, patients with tumors demonstrated a deterioration in phase angle (from 3.9 to 3.4) and extracellular mass:body cell mass ratio (from 1.6 to 2.1), while patients with bowel disease improved (from 3.4 to 4.0 and 2.1 to 1.6, respectively); grip strength remained constant in both groups (difference: 1.11 and -2.11, respectively). Activity improved in patients with bowel disease but stayed the same in the tumor group (P = .02 and P = .33, respectively). When the groups were pooled, emotional and social functioning domain scores (P.03), dyspnea and sleeping (P.04), and median quality of life improved (P = .02) 4 weeks after home parenteral nutrition.Both groups seem to benefit from home parenteral nutrition without harmful side effects. If the indication is determined early, the patients' disease course could perhaps be improved.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is often used for the feeding of patients with malnutrition due to dysphagia, and despite more than 30 years experience, numerous questions on its benefit remain. This was a prospective observational study to assess the safety of PEG.One hundred and nineteen patients mean age 63 years (21-91 years) who were admitted to the Hannover Medical School between November 2010 and March 2012 and had an indication for PEG according to the German guidelines were included. Primary endpoints were the following: reason for indication, date of in-hospital mortality after PEG insertion, death within 3 months after PEG placement, and complications.Most patients (54.6%) received PEG for dysphagia caused by tumors and second (29.4%) for neurologic diseases with a minor proportion of dementia (3%). About 73% of our patients had no complications at all and only 10% suffered severe effects. We saw only 1 case of aspiration, which did not lead to pneumonia. The 30-day mortality was 10%, and no patient died as a result of the PEG procedure. Significantly more patients with neurologic disorders died within 24 weeks of PEG placement than tumor patients (60% versus 27.7%, respectively, p = 0.002, n = 100).It is important to select patients receiving PEG very carefully. The patients' indications, their primary disease, and their capability for mental cooperation are essential. If these aspects are taken into account, PEG is a safe method with few mainly mild complications.

Summary Background & aims Xylitol has been approved for parenteral nutrition and may be beneficial in catabolic situations. The aim was to establish an easy method to monitor xylitol serum levels in patients receiving xylitol and to determine whether xylitol is safe. Methods A commercially available xylitol test was validated and used to measure serum levels in 55 patients admitted to our intensive care unit with an indication for parenteral nutrition with xylitol for at least 24 h. Controls consisted of the most recent 56 patients admitted to the intensive care unit who received parenteral nutrition without xylitol for at least 2 days. Xylitol serum levels were determined using the test. Adverse events, liver enzymes, lactate, bilirubin, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, and insulin requirement were secondary endpoints. Results Patients receiving xylitol received 32.6% less insulin than controls. The amount of energy they received was comparable (xylitol: 810.1; controls: 789.8 kcal). Mean liver enzymes and lactate levels were similar in both groups. Adverse events considered attributable to xylitol did not occur. Xylitol did not accumulate in patients' blood and returned to near baseline values one day after parenteral nutrition was stopped. Conclusions Parenteral nutrition with xylitol appears to be safe for critical care patients. There were no signs of hepatoxicity. Trial registration DRKS DRKS00004238.

Summary Background & aims To compare early supplementation with antioxidants and glutamine using a low-volume enteral supplement containing key nutrients to an energy adjusted standard elementary diet and to investigate its effect on clinical efficacy and tolerability in critically ill patients with sepsis/SIRS. The primary endpoints were length of stay in the ICU and sufficient enteral feed. Methods This was a randomized, prospective, single-blind, controlled study in 58 critically ill patients (56.9% male, mean age 46.7 years, mean APACHE II score 21.6). They received either a low-volume enteral supplement containing key nutrients or a diluted standard nutrition solution. After 10 or 14 days inflammatory parameters, catecholamine need, and maximal enteral delivery were determined. Results Patients receiving a low-volume enteral supplement containing key nutrients did not reach sufficient enteral feed more often than controls (76 vs. 62%, respectively, p = 0.17). The difference in vitamin E and selenium uptake was higher in the treatment group than controls (12.4 vs. 3.7 and 54.7 vs. 16.3, respectively, p ≤ 0.011). Parameters such as fever, antibiotic treatment, artificial ventilation, and death were comparable. This was also true for days of ICU or hospital stay (33 ± 23 and 49 ± 34 days, respectively). Conclusions The low-volume enteral supplement containing key nutrients was well tolerated and led to a better vitamin E and selenium supply. However, it did not affect length of ICU or hospital stay. Further studies are necessary to determine which disease-specific subgroups may benefit from this supplementation or which group may be harmed.

Rationale: This was an observational study to assess the safety of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). Methods: 119 patients mean age 63 years (21 91 years) who were admitted to the Hannover Medical School between November 2010 and March 2012 and had an indication for PEG according to the guideline of the DGVS/DGEM were included. Primary endpoints were date of death after placing the PEG during the hospital stay, death within 3 months after PEG was placed, and complications. Results: Most patients (57.2%) received a PEG for dysphagia caused by tumors and second (29.4%) for neurological diseases with a minor proportion of dementia. The most common PEG method that was used was the endoscopic standard technique. Complications were mild e.g. dislocation of the outer support and had no serious subsequent effects. The rate was very low (13%). In contrast to previous publications there was only one case of aspiration pneumonia. The 30-day mortality (about 10%) was much lower than published previously. If patients died, they died as a result of the primary disease and not from PEG. Conclusion: We conclude that PEG is a safe method with few mild complications. The artificial feeding via a percutaneous tube is well tolerated. However, it is important to consider the primary disease for the indication, the methods used to place the tube, and the risk of aspiration.