Keeping up with Mr. Pure Energy - Gary V on his diabetes journey and living freely

Tweet

Gary Valenciano, an icon, well known as Mr. Pure Energy, shared how he manages his journey while battling diabetes for more than four decades now.

A roundtable webinar conversation was held with the Mr. Pure Energy, Gary Valenciano, regarding his new diabetes journey, shares his ways of managing the disease and he also revealed his secret weapon in fighting it.

Gary has been battling type 1 diabetes since he was 14 years old. “I was diagnosed with it. I was fourteen years old. My sugar level hit 700-something plus. At least during my time, from what I know, the normal level goes from 80 to 120. I don’t know if that has changed because a lot has changed. But, when I’m within that level, I’m fine.”

The biggest challenge for him when it comes to diabetes is “self-monitoring.” Ogie Alcasid's daughter adviced him to have of the CGM (continuous glucose monitoring) to monitor his sugar level. And that helped Gary to monitor his sugar level. Doing old methods like finger pricking and it was a relief to have continuous glucose monitoring (CGM).

"Actually, I felt like a chemist because there is no such thing as finger pricking of blood. It was actually done with a test tube, a tablet, and urine. And I would have to gather a few drops into a dropper and drop it in and I would determine how high or low my sugar was, depending on how the tablet responded," said Gary.

“Traditional glucose monitoring uses finger pricking which can be quite painful for some patients. But now, glucose monitoring devices have been revolutionized and innovative technologies have come in, resulting in the development of CGMSs,” Dr. Michael Villa, immediate past president of the Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism shared. 

“Then, years went by. I started finger pricking. And, I did that for a long time. In fact, my skin in my fingertips would start getting thick. When I would actually need to use my fingers for the touchscreen later on, sometimes, it would not recognize that. So, I had to use another set of fingers in order to do that,” as Gary continued his story.

Gary V on living freely with FreeStyle Libre

“The technology started advancing and I’m so thankful for that. All the more, it spurred me on to carry the advocacy and helping Filipinos living with diabetes,” Gary said.

FreeStyle Libre comes along and helped him finally live freely with his diabetes journey.

The FreeStyle Libre system is a new revolutionary way of glucose monitoring. It replaces the conventional way of measuring glucose using finger pricks.

Through strict monitoring, proper diet, and a healthy lifestyle, he has been living a full and active life since. Gary said that the Freestyle Libre CGM by Abbott makes it easy for him to ensure that his blood sugar is at healthy levels during the day.

The Freestyle Libre uses a discreet sensor that is attached to the back of the arm. This is then paired to a portable device. The sensor is easy to apply and lasts for up to 14 days. It is also water resistant so it can be worn even while bathing, swimming, and exercising.

Meanwhile, the reader can scan through clothing. Once paired with the device, the Freestyle Libre reader provides up to 8 hours of glucose monitoring per day with a trend arrow and graphs showing glucose levels throughout the monitoring period. It can also hold up to 90 days of glucose data which can be shown to doctors during the scheduled checkups.

“Diabetes is a condition that requires an almost 24-hour maintenance system. I’m just thankful for Abbott’s Freestyle Libre for allowing me to face life with a smile. The device has really helped me and my family in addressing diabetes and living life to the fullest,” Gary shared.

To know more details about FreeStyle Libre and learn how to manage your diabetes easily, visit their website.

Keeping loved ones' healthy lifestyle: Nutrition, Fitness, Health with Abbott- Get discounts up to 30% off on Abbott at Shopee's 5.5 Brands Festival!

Tweet

Doing what you love is the most important in life. Helping keep loved ones strong and healthy. 

Milk, in one form or another, is a good source of calcium, vitamin D, and protein for all of us. I'm sure many people agree that milk plays a big role in our child’s growth and nutrition, and even for adults!

Enjoy discounts up to 30% off today up to May 7 and 32% off on May 5 from 12-2AM on the Abbott Official Shopee Store.

Check this out for our kids:

Pediasure Plus Vanilla 3.6kg For Kids Above 3 Years Old Bundle of 3: 

Clinically proven to provide a hard-to-feed child optimal nutrition, Pediasure Plus Vanilla helps your child stay healthy and well-nourished.

It Contains 6pcs of 1.8KG

• · Number 1 Child Nutrition Supplement in the Philippines

• · Nutritional supplement powder drink clinically proven to provide a hard-to-feed child optimal nutrition for healthy growth, development and immunity

• · A glass of PediaSure Plus provides COMPLETE, BALANCED nutrition. It contains macronutrients and micronutrients needed for a child to stay healthy and well-nourished. PediaSure Plus helps provide 100% of daily Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intakes (RENI).7

• · PediaSure Plus has 2-in-1 synbiotic blend of probiotics and prebiotics FOS clinically proven to reduce Upper Respiratory Infections (URIs) by 45% and is associated with fewer sick days.

• · The only complete, balanced nutrition with Triple Protein Complex , Dual Carbohydrate Blend, and Unique Fat Blend and MCTs (medium chain triglycerides)

• · Can be used as a nutritional supplement with or between meals

• · Gluten and Lactose-Free

• · For preschool age (above 3 years old)

• · PREPARE IT RIGHT: 5 scoops with 190mL of room temperature or warm water. Stir until powder is dissolved.

Similac GainSchool HMO 3.6kg For Kids Above 3 Years Old Bundle of 3: 

Now with the important immune-nourishing ingredient HMO, Similac GainSchool HMO is essential in protecting your child’s gut and beyond.

Similac GainSchool HMO 3.6KG For Kids Above 3 Years Old Bundle of 3

• It Contains 6pcs of 1.8KG 

• Similac® GainSchool® now comes with HMO, an important immune-nourishing ingredient that is essential in protecting child’s gut and beyond 

• Contains a unique combination of DHA, Lutein, and RRR (Natural) Vitamin E. DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function. 10 Key Brain Nutrients with Eye-Q Plus like DHA, AA, Omega 6, Taurine, Choline, Iron, Zinc, Vitamins B1 B2 and B3 help support child’s overall cognitive development 

• High in Protein, Calcium, Vitamins K and D which are essential in developing stronger bones for your child 

• Contains a unique blend of prebiotics (FOS and Inulin). Prebiotics may stimulate the growth if good bacteria in the child’s digestive tract.

Check this out for adults:

For adults, a healthy lifestyle helps them gain or maintain good physical and mental health. It involves numerous small, daily choices about how you spend your time, what you eat or drink, and how much you move your body.

Ensure Gold and Glucerna are here to help you live a quality life. Scientifically formulated with a unique combination of HMB and Triple Protein Blend, along with 28 essential vitamins and minerals, these products support your strength, vitality and activity.

HMB is a natural ingredient in our bodies that helps us regain strength. It does this by rebuilding new muscle tissues. Along with the other essential nutrients, Ensure Gold helps you regain strength faster so you can do everything you love

Ensure Gold HMB Vanilla 3.2kg For Adult Nutrition Bundle of 3: 

Two glasses of Ensure Gold HMB Vanilla aids in the better absorption of proteins to help repair and maintain muscle mass.

Ensure Gold HMB Vanilla 3.2KG For Adult Nutrition Bundle of 3

• It Contains 6pcs of 1.6KG • Adult nutritional supplement powder drink that provides complete nutrition for use as a meal supplement or replacement • Ensure Gold now has HMB, a natural nutrient that the body produces less with age. Two glasses of Ensure has 1.5G of HMB which aids in the better absorption of proteins to repair and maintain muscle mass. • Dual Fiber Blend – FOS and Inulin to support gut health • Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids for a heart-friendly fat blend • High-quality protein that helps support tissue repair and maintain muscle mass • PREPARE IT RIGHT: 6 scoops of powder to 195ml of cold water • Gluten and lactose-free

Glucerna Vanilla 1.8kg For Diabetic Nutrition Bundle of 3: 

To help support the dietary management of diabetics, Glucerna Vanilla contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels and improves bone strength.

Glucerna Vanilla 1.8KG For Diabetic Nutrition Bundle of 3

Package: It Contains 6pcs of 900G

Latest Glucerna formulation contains:

• Advanced blend of low glycemic carbohydrates to help support the dietary management of diabetics. Dual fiber blend 

• Unique lipid blend with Omega-3 and Omega-6, and is trans-fat free, cholesterol-free and low in saturated fat

• 4X more Inositol vs. previous formulation and is high in trivalent Chromium which contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels 

• High in Vitamin D which helps support Calcium absorption and improve bone strength 

• High in Zinc, Selenium, Vitamin A, and is a source of Iron and Vitamin C which support the normal function of the immune system 

You can include Glucerna in your daily diet. Incorporate Glucerna in everyday meals! Take Glucerna as part of a “calorie-controlled” meal plan.

Preparing a glass of Glucerna is easy:

Step 1:  Put 200ml of cold water in a glass 

Step 2:  Gradually add 5 pressed scoops of Glucerna

Step 3:  Stir until it dissolves

These are the most important for our family and loved ones, keeping everyone strong and healthy.

Visit the Abbott Official Shopee Store. You can get Abbott products more conveniently and at greater savings when you shop on Shopee.

Dingdong Dantes: "Providing good nutrition balance and strength is the first step in helping our parents fulfill their dreams" - Nutrition plays a vital role in helping older adults maintain strength and achieve their dreams

Tweet

Dingdong Dantes : "Providing good nutrition balance and strength is the first step in helping our parents fulfill their dreams." 

While as you age, hormonal changes can contribute to how your body builds and stores muscle, most cases of sarcopenia are linked to poor nutrition as well as inactivity.  A dramatic loss in muscle mass and strength as you age. Sarcopenia, or the gradual loss of muscle mass, is a common consequence of aging, and poses a significant risk factor for disability in older adults.

One of the best ways to support strength building is good nutrition. We must have balanced meals throughout the day. Vitamins and a protein-rich diet may be key for combating aging-related loss of muscle mass .

A new surveyi found that 9 out of 10 older Filipino adults still have dreams they wish to fulfill, but lack of strength prevents them from fulfilling their dreams. In the survey sponsored by Abbott, children acting as caregivers (aged 30-50) and parents (aged 50-70) were asked about fulfilling their dreams – including what they were and what, if anything, prevented them from realizing their dreams. 

NUTRITION FOR STRENGTH AND FAMILY SUPPORT ARE VITAL TO HELPING PARENTS FULFILL THEIR DREAMS 

The importance of family closeness and support is evident across both parents and their children, as the responses from the caregivers complement those of their parents. The majority of surveyed caregivers knew their parents well, with 83 percent of them saying they are aware of their parents’ dreams and are willing to support them. 

Ninety-three percent of Filipinos aged 50+ think that poor physical condition limits them from fulfilling dreams. But only 20 percent of caregivers considered addressing their parents’ physical strength with nutritional support to help them to achieve their dreams. 

The findings suggest that while the caregivers support their parents’ dreams mostly through financial assistance and helping them find the time, more can be done to help make these dreams a reality, particularly as it relates to how older adults get the right nutrition. Filipino caregivers could therefore consider helping their parents maintain good physical health and strength to live an active life.

PROPER NUTRITION IS ESSENTIAL FOR STAYING HEALTHY AND STRONG AS ONE AGES 

Dr. Jose Rodolfo Dimaano Jr., Medical Director of Abbott’s nutrition business in the Philippines. 

"As one grows older, nutrition gaps and declining lean body mass contribute to the loss of physical strength, making it difficult to perform simple tasks like walking or climbing stairs," said Dr. Jose Rodolfo Dimaano Jr., medical director of Abbott’s nutrition business in the Philippines. 

"Maintaining good physical strength in older adults enables them to pursue their unfulfilled dreams in retirement," Dr. Dimaano added.

He further emphasized that proper nutrition is an important determinant of strength, and good health is the starting point for everything that is possible in life.

However, Dr. Dimaano noted that older adults’ intake of nutrients and protein from a regular diet may still be insufficient, thus nutritional supplements may be required to fill nutrition gaps. Nutrition gaps are brought about by poor digestion and nutrient absorption, illness-induced poor appetite, poor dental function, or some loss of the ability to chew, 3-4 which are all common conditions found in older adults.

This is where nutritional supplements like Ensure play a role. Ensure  is scientifically designed to provide essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and protein to help with physical strength. It also has other ingredients like medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), dietary fibers, and Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) for easy digestion and for a healthy digestive tract. Research shows that supplementing with Ensure® for 8 weeks can help increase physical strength5* needed by older adults to fulfill their dreams.

The ‘Ensure Strength to Fulfill Your Dreams’ campaign aims to remind both caregivers and parents to take the necessary action in helping older Filipino adults have good nutrition to maintain their strength. The campaign also encourages older adults to stay in good physical condition to enjoy an active retirement. 

Actor Dingdong Dantes has a real-life experience with helping his father achieve his dreams. He knew he had to do something when his father implied that he might be too old to revive his passion for riding motorcycles. Dingdong started to refurbish his father’s motorcycle and also reminded his father to build the energy and fitness he needs in order to enjoy a good motorcycle ride. 

“As a son, it’s my duty to remind him about proper nutrition - for him to stay stronger so he can fulfill his dreams. By doing so, he will be able to live his life strongly and to the fullest,” said Dingdong Dantes. 

Ensure can be consumed by adults as a nutritional supplement that can also be a sole source of nutrition for elderly, people not eating well or recovering from an illness or surgery, and for those who are about to undergo surgery.

About Abbott:

At Abbott, we’re committed to helping you live your best possible life through the power of health. For more than 125 years, we’ve brought new products and technologies to the world -- in nutrition, diagnostics, medical devices and branded generic pharmaceuticals -- that create more possibilities for more people at all stages of life. Today, 74,000 of us are working to help people live not just longer, but better, in the more than 150 countries we serve.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.

i1 Survey conducted by MS Brion Research Services Co. on behalf of Abbott Nutrition. The survey analyzed 100 parents aged 50–70 and 100 children acting as caregivers aged 30-50, using the Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) method.

² Guenter P, Jensen G, Patel V, Miller S, Mogensen KM, Malone A, et al. Addressing Disease-Related Malnutrition in Hospitalized Patients: A Call for a National Goal. Joint Commission journal on quality and patient safety / Joint Commission Resources. 2015;41(10):469-73.

³ Guiglia R, et al. Curr Pharm Des. 2010;16:619-630

⁴ Petersen, EP. The World Oral Health Report 2003. World Health Organization; 2003

⁵ Edington J, Barnes R, Bryan F, Dupree E, Frost G, Hickson M, et al. A prospective randomized controlled trial of nutritional supplementation in malnourished elderly in the community: clinical and health economic outcomes. Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland). 2004;23(2):195-204.

*Results based on a clinical trial in malnourished elderly subjects.

Abbott Ensure^®

The Abbott Ensure® product range uses science-based nutrition formula to provide good nutrition and is shown to help support long-lasting strength¹. When consumed in appropriate amounts, Ensure can help fill nutritional deficits to meet daily nutrition requirements with a complete blend and balanced nutrition including high protein, prebiotics and 28 essential vitamins and minerals.

Research shows that drinking Ensure twice a day, in addition to a regular diet, for 8 weeks can help increase muscle strength¹.

Abbott Ensure® Key Features:

• Complete and balanced nutrition with three major nutrients and 28 vitamins and minerals meeting the recommendations of nutritional experts
• High protein to build and maintain body tissue
• Prebiotics to help promote digestive tract health and support probiotic ecology
• Suitable for people with lactose intolerance

Ensure^® is available worldwide in more than 80 countries. In the Philippines, Ensure is recognized as the number one adult nutrition brand and most recommended by doctors.^2-3

References

1.  Edington, J., et al., A prospective randomised controlled trial of nutritional supplementation in malnourished elderly in the community: clinical and health economic outcomes. Clin Nutr, 2004. 23(2): p. 195-204. (note: 8 weeks)
2. PPI Retail Data. July 2014 – June 2015.
3. PMDI Prescription Data for the period of July 2014 - June 2015
4. 
   

Health Tips: Get the right nutrition, stay strong, enjoy life!

Tweet

Living life to the fullest! Getting the right nutrition and maintaining muscle health can help you stay strong.

Enjoy life, live your best possible life through the power of health.

Mindful eating, regular fitness routine and maintaining a positive outlook in life are just some of this year’s practical health trends both for the young and healthy aging population alike.

Well known veteran actor, TV personality and businessman, Edu Manzano, believes that people should gear themselves well into retirement by maintaining a healthy lifestyle even at an early stage.

“I may be in my late 50s, but my body feels a lot younger. I observe a strict, balanced diet, a regular fitness routine and surround myself with a regular dose of green space. These habits help me keep up with the demands of my career and personal life”, says Manzano. 

On the other hand, Manzano continued to explain how the loss of strength can be a challenge for aging Filipinos. He explains, “Change is usually difficult, especially when it comes to our bodies as we age. I realize that simple tasks such as lifting objects, walking up the stairs and doing other daily physical activities are not as easy compared to doing these ten or fifteen years ago.”

- Local Survey shows loss of strength a top health concern among older adults in the Philippines. 

- Nutrition gaps and muscle loss can lead to loss of strength as you age 

- ABBOTT NUTRITION PHILIPPINES ROLLS OUT Free STRENGTH TEST and muscle mass assessment that will cater to over 200,000 FILIPINOS

LOSS OF STRENGTH A TOP HEALTH CONCERN IN THE PHILIPPINES

It is well-recognized that loss of strength is a reality for most adults as they age. Loss of strength may be an indication of a decrease in muscle mass or not getting the right level of nutrition, otherwise known as nutrition gaps. In the Philippines, strength becomes even more important as one ages. In fact, a survey among Filipinos aged 40 and up shows that loss of strength is their top health concern.1 In addition to the natural decrease in muscle mass as people get older, several factors such as poor food choices, decreased appetite or difficulty in digesting certain foods contribute to muscle loss.

NUTRITIONAL STATUS HAS AN IMPACT ON MUSCLE HEALTH

Nutritional status has a great impact on muscle health and strength. In a clinical nutrition review, lower absolute hand grip strength values were found in malnourished patients when compared to well-nourished hospitalized patients.

Among the measurements of voluntary muscle strength, hand grip strength is a validated and feasible bed side method, which makes it a frequently used tool for clinical purpose. Hand grip strength signifies the maximum strength resulting from the contraction of several hand muscles which lead to the bending of hand joints.

Hand grip strength is a recognized marker of nutritional status and an indicator of muscle function. In a physical performance test, adults with nutrition gaps had almost twice lower hand grip strength, took almost twice longer to stand and five times slower to step up and down compared to age-matched norm.

Furthermore, loss of strength may be an indication of nutrition gaps and of muscle mass loss. Not eating the right amount and the right kind of food can result in a decrease in muscle mass and function. Muscle loss can affect a person’s energy and ability to perform daily activities, such as walking, rising out of a chair, and gripping or lifting objects.

THE ENSURE STAY STRONG GRIP STRENGTH CHALLENGE 

Abbott is introducing the Ensure Stay Strong Grip Strength Challenge – a free assessment on strength and muscle mass that aims to reach over 200,000 aging adults nationwide. The activity aims to measure the individual’s grip strength and muscle mass levels with free hand grip strength and muscle mass tests.

Dr. Jose Rodolfo Dimaano Jr., Medical Director, Abbott Nutrition Philippines

Dr. Jose Rodolfo Dimaano Jr., Medical Director at Abbott Nutrition Philippines, explains, “The consequences of having nutrition gaps and decreased physical performance due to muscle mass loss in older adults can be debilitating. Being aware of your muscle mass levels and gaps in nutrition can prompt you to take charge of your health by maintaining a balanced diet and an active lifestyle. Resistance exercise along with a complete and balanced oral nutrition such as Ensure can help improve strength. Complete and balanced oral nutrition supplements are shown to improve hand grip strength within 8 weeks of intake.”

The Ensure Stay Strong Grip Strength Challenge will have over 8,700 activation days at select drug stores and leading supermarkets nationwide.

Join ENSURE Stay Strong Grip Strength Challenge and learn why nutrition is important in making you strong.

Turning Science into Caring : The Value of Oral Nutritional Supplements in Reducing Hospital Stay and Expenses

Tweet

Abbott, the global healthcare company devoted to improving life through the development of products and technologies that span the breadth of healthcare continue the studies and shares us the latest insights for more healthcare to our family and loveones.

DR. MARIANNA SY-QUIA SIOSON, MD, DPBCN, MSCN

Dr. Nina Sioson is a medical nutrition physician practicing mainly at The Medical City Hospital in Metro Manila. She is currently the head of the Section of Nutrition of the Department of Medicine, as well as head of the Weight Management Program of the Center for Wellness and Aesthetics of her hospital. She is also an active member of its Nutrition Management Services Team. Her sociocivic advocacy involves offering nutrition counseling services to cancer patients at the Carewell Cancer Community, an NGO providing support systems for free to cancer patients and their families.

She is the current President of the Philippine Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition or PhilSPEN.

Last June 28, 2014,  Dr. Sioson shared to us about one of the most important matter for all of us - Nutrition. She also explained about Malnutrition Syndrome - undernutrition, obesity, macronutrient deficiency, micronutrient defienciency and metabolic syndrome.

According to Dr. Sioson, "the body has higher nutritional needs during sickness, injury and surgery." Undernutrition is not just being underweight. Dr. Sioson said that more nutrients are needed to recover, build strenght and energy and return to normal life. But patients lose appetite during sickness and nutrient absorption may be impaired.

Nutrition care includes treatment of "underlying causes." During the talks of Dr. Sioson, address underlying causes of undernutrition are  disease, polypharmacy, oral or gastrointestinal symptoms and limited accress to adequate food.

Here is recommended nutrition therapy:













For our loveones who needs to be treated and to be back on their energy, we can help them to increase food intake, serve them palatable appetizing meals and give them high energy snacks. Their bodies need more nutrients during sickness, injury or surgery to be healed and recover.

Oral nutrition supplements can reduce length of hospital stay and costs.  

DR. JOSE RODOLFO V. DIMAANO, JR., MD, Medical Director of Abbott Nutrition Philippines

Dr. Jose Rodolfo V. Dimaano, the Medical Director of Abbott Nutrition Philippines, part of the team that implemented the food fortification program under the Early Childhood Development Project of the Department of Health in order to address micronutrient deficiencies in children.

Abbott's in the now is on an advocacy campaign to increase awareness on the importance of nutrition to patient outcomes by identifying risk for undernutrition to trigger early intervention.

Dr. Dimaano asked the bloggers who participated in the #AbbotEnsureBlogcon how to interpret under nutrition risk. The bloggers conference was held June 28,  F1 Hotel, Global City, Taguig.

A new health economics outcomes study, conducted by leading health economists and supported by Abbott, found that oral nutritional supplements provided to patients during hospitalization are associated with significant reductions in length of stay and hospitalization cost. Additionally, the 30-day readmission risk was significantly reduced for patients with at least one known subsequent readmission.

Here's the detailed study for Oral Nutritional Supplements.

New Study Demonstrates Oral Nutritional Supplements Are Associated With Significant Reductions in Length of Hospital Stay and Cost

More than one million adult hospital cases analyzed in study.

Published in the American Journal of Managed Care, (Feb 2013) the study provides insights into the economic benefits of prescribing oral nutritional supplements to adult patients in the hospital setting. 

The retrospective analysis utilized information from more than one million adult inpatient cases found in the 2000-2010 Premier Research Database maintained by the Premier healthcare alliance —representing a total of 44 million hospital episodes from across the United States or approximately 20 percent of all inpatient admissions in the U.S.

Benefits associated with patients provided oral nutrition supplements during hospitalization included 21% or 2.3 days reduction in length of stay and 21.6% or $4,734, reduction in patient hospitalization cost. 

Additionally, there was a 6.7% reduction in the probability of a 30-day readmission in patients who had at least one known subsequent readmission and were provided oral nutrition supplements during the previous hospitalization.

″Impaired nutritional status, especially in patients recovering from serious illnesses or surgery, can result in longer hospital stays; an increase in complication rates, higher readmission rates, and associated health care costs, ″ says Dr. Marianna Sioson, president of the Philippine Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. ″Research shows that using oral nutritional supplements can help reduce their length of stay and associated hospital costs. This is indeed good news for the 4 out of 10 hospitalized Filipino patients who are nutritionally at-risk since most of them shoulder their hospital expenses out of their own pockets.”

In the study, investigators were able to determine differences in length of stay and costs by comparing hospital stays where oral nutritional supplements were prescribed to stays of similar conditions where oral nutritional supplements weren’t prescribed. 

″In an increasingly cost-pressured environment, health economics assessments can more comprehensively determine a therapy’s true value. Our results point to the tangible benefits of inpatient oral nutritional supplements on health outcomes and cost of care, factors that impact a hospital’s bottom line,” said study co-author, Darius Lakdawalla PhD, Quintiles Chair in Pharmaceutical Development and Regulatory Innovation, USC School of Pharmacy, and Sol Price School of Public Policy, and Director of Research, Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, University of Southern California

″Because oral nutrition supplements are formulated to provide advanced nutrition and calories for compromised patients and are relatively inexpensive to provide, the sizeable savings they generate make supplementation a cost-effective therapy,″ said study co-author, Tomas Philipson PhD, Daniel Levin Chair of Public Policy at the University of Chicago. 

The ″Impact of Oral Nutritional Supplementation on Hospital Outcomes" study is a retrospective data analysis on the effect of oral nutritional supplements on hospital economic outcomes. The study compared hospital stays where oral nutritional supplements were provided with similar hospital stays that did not provide oral nutritional supplements. The difference between length of hospital stay and cost of treatment (including supplies, labor, depreciation of equipment, etc.) were measured. 

The probability of 30-day hospital readmission also was calculated. 

The retrospective analysis utilized information from more than one million adult inpatient cases found in the Premier Research Database from 2000 – 2010, maintained by the Premier healthcare alliance – representing a total of 44 million hospital episodes from across the United States or approximately 20 percent of all inpatient admissions in the United States. The full sample consisted of adults 18 years and older and focused on oral feeding interventions only. The matched sample ultimately included: 1,160,088 total episodes (oral nutritional supplements episodes N= 580,044 and non-oral nutritional supplements episodes N=580,044), where propensity score matching and instrumental variables were used to address potential bias due to non-random selection.

Visit Abbott at www.abbott.com and connect with us on Twitter at @AbbottNews.