Effects of a New Multicomponent Nutritional Supplement on Muscle Mass and Physical Performance in Adult and Old Patients Recovered from COVID-19: A Pilot Observational Case–Control Study

Nutrients

On behalf of Gemelli Against COVID-19 Post-Acute Care Team¹  Anna Maria Martone¹  Vincenzo Galluzzo¹  Francesco Landi¹  Emanuele Marzetti¹  Matteo Tosato¹  Riccardo Calvani¹  Francesca Ciciarello¹  Anna Picca¹  Giulia Savera¹ 

[1] Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy;

关键词: COVID-19;    personalized medicine;    frailty;    geriatric syndrome;   

DOI  :  10.3390/nu14112316

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of a specific oral nutritional supplement among patients recovered from COVID-19 but suffering symptoms of fatigue. Methods: This is an observational case–control study involving a sample of 66 COVID-19 survivors divided in two groups, 33 subjects in the intervention group who received the nutritional supplement and 33 subjects in the control group. The nutritional supplement received by subjects in the active group was based on amino acids; vitamin B6 and B1; and malic, succinic and citric acids. After an 8-week follow-up, the main outcomes considered were skeletal muscle index (measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis), physical performance measures (handgrip strength, one-minute chair–stand test, six-minute walking test), and quality of life (using EuroQol visual analogue scale). Results: All the considered areas increased significantly in the subjects receiving the active treatment with oral nutritional supplement in comparison with the baseline values. After adjusting for age, gender, and baseline values, skeletal muscle index, handgrip strength test, the one-minute chair–stand test, and six-minute walking test values were higher among participants in the treatment group compared with subjects in control group. The oral nutritional supplement significantly improved the handgrip strength; similarly, participants in the active group showed a higher improvement in skeletal muscle index, the one-minute chair–stand test, the six-minute walking test, and in quality of life. Conclusion: The nutritional supplement containing nine essential amino acids plus cysteine; vitamin B6 and B1; and malic, succinic and citric acids had a positive effect on nutritional status, functional recovery, and quality of life in COVID-19 survivors still suffering from fatigue. Additional controlled clinical trials are required to corroborate these results.

【 授权许可】

Unknown