Perioperative Interventions Based on Fasting Protocols and Carbohydrate Loading in Non-Cardiac Surgery in Older Adults: A Scoping Review
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Methods
2.1. Research Question
2.2. Objectives
2.3. Eligibility Criteria
2.4. Information Sources and Search Strategy
2.5. Study Selection Process
2.6. Data Extraction
3. Results
3.1. Clinical Trials
3.2. Observational Studies
4. Discussion
5. Limitations
6. Conclusions
Supplementary Materials
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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| Author, Year, Country [Ref.] | Study Design | Population | Objective | Assessment Tool/Method | Outcome | Neurocognitive Outcomes Assessed | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viganò et al., 2012, Italy [19] | Prospective cohort | 76 patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery (38 CHO vs. 38 procedure-matched controls) | To evaluate the effect of preoperative oral CHO loading on the metabolic stress response to surgery | Not assessed | The CHO group showed lower postoperative plasma glucose, HOMA-IR index, cortisol, and IL-6 levels compared with controls (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). A trend toward lower postoperative infection rates was observed, without statistical significance | Not assessed | Did not assess delirium or POCD; limited sample size; 60% of patients under ERAS protocols |
| Zhang et al., 2024, China [20] | Cross-sectional study | 210 older adults (≥65 years; mean age 75.1 ± 8.8 years; 60.5% male) | To evaluate the association between preoperative nutritional status and POD | Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) | Overall POD incidence: 14.3%. Higher POD risk in patients at risk of malnutrition (OR 2.5; 95% CI) and malnourished (OR 3.4; 95% CI) compared with well-nourished patients. Complication rates: 20.0% (malnourished), 14.3% (at risk), 4.2% (well-nourished) | Primary outcome (POD) | Cross-sectional design; cannot infer causality; single-center study |
| Denny & Lindseth, 2017, United States [21] | Descriptive correlational | 53 older adults (≥65 years; mean age 74 years; 57% women) undergoing joint replacement | To evaluate preoperative risk factors associated with subsyndromal delirium | Delirium Rating Scale (DRS) | 68% developed subsyndromal delirium and 17% POD. Longer preoperative fasting was associated with greater delirium symptom burden on postoperative day 3 (r = 0.30; p = 0.03) | Secondary outcome | Observational design; single evaluator; potential measurement bias |
| Li et al., 2025, China [22] | Randomized controlled trial, single-blind | 80 older adults undergoing lower limb orthopedic surgery (40 CHO vs. 40 conventional fasting) | To evaluate the effect of preoperative CHO on POD incidence | Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) | POD incidence: 7.5% (CHO) vs. 32.5% (control) (p = 0.005). Highest incidence on postoperative day 1 in both groups. Perioperative thirst: 12.5% (CHO) vs. 42.5% (control) (p = 0.003) | Primary outcome (POD) | Small sample size; single CHO dose; incomplete metabolic assessment |
| Gao et al., 2024, China [23] | Cross-sectional study | 240 elective surgical patients (120 enteral nutrition [EN] vs. 120 parenteral nutrition [PN]) | To compare EN vs. PN on perioperative cognitive function | Mini-Mental State Examination-based perioperative cognitive assessment | POCD incidence: 12% (EN) vs. 20% (PN) (p = 0.006). Length of stay: 8.7 ± 1.9 vs. 9.4 ± 2.0 days (p < 0.05). 30-day readmission: 10% vs. 15% (p < 0.05). Complications: 22% vs. 30% (p < 0.05) | Primary outcome (POCD) | Cross-sectional design; cannot establish causality |
| Kumar et al., 2024, India [24] | Open-label randomized controlled trial | 72 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery (36 CHO vs. 36 control) | To evaluate metabolic, inflammatory, and clinical effects of CHO loading | Not assessed | Significant reduction in insulin resistance in CHO group (p = 0.0336). Lower IL-6, CRP, and Glasgow Prognostic Score (p < 0.001). Length of stay: 7.0 ± 0.8 vs. 8.6 ± 1.2 days (p < 0.001) | Not assessed | Excluded diabetic patients; small sample; did not assess delirium or POCD |
| Moppett et al., 2014, United Kingdom [25] | Randomized double-blind trial (protocol) | 30 patients ≥ 70 years with femoral neck fracture | To evaluate the effect of CHO on insulin resistance and muscle metabolism | Not assessed | Study designed to measure insulin resistance, muscle metabolism, and mobility (Cumulative Ambulation Score); no published results | Not assessed | Protocol without results; did not assess delirium |
| Ghaffari et al., 2025, Iran [26] | Randomized controlled trial | 70 patients undergoing orthopedic surgery under spinal anesthesia | To evaluate the effect of preoperative CHO on perioperative well-being | Not assessed | Significant reduction in thirst, hunger, anxiety, and postoperative pain in CHO group (p < 0.05 for all). No increase in postoperative nausea or vomiting | Not assessed | Limited sample size; did not assess cognitive outcomes |
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Lozano, J.D.M.; Tuta-Quintero, E.; Bonilla Llanos, M.C.; Valencia, M.C.; Solano, F.; Cruz, A.; Bonilla, N.; Ríos Barbosa, F. Perioperative Interventions Based on Fasting Protocols and Carbohydrate Loading in Non-Cardiac Surgery in Older Adults: A Scoping Review. Medicina 2026, 62, 756. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62040756
Lozano JDM, Tuta-Quintero E, Bonilla Llanos MC, Valencia MC, Solano F, Cruz A, Bonilla N, Ríos Barbosa F. Perioperative Interventions Based on Fasting Protocols and Carbohydrate Loading in Non-Cardiac Surgery in Older Adults: A Scoping Review. Medicina. 2026; 62(4):756. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62040756
Chicago/Turabian StyleLozano, Juan David Mejía, Eduardo Tuta-Quintero, María Camila Bonilla Llanos, María Camila Valencia, Fabián Solano, Andrés Cruz, Nicole Bonilla, and Fernando Ríos Barbosa. 2026. "Perioperative Interventions Based on Fasting Protocols and Carbohydrate Loading in Non-Cardiac Surgery in Older Adults: A Scoping Review" Medicina 62, no. 4: 756. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62040756
APA StyleLozano, J. D. M., Tuta-Quintero, E., Bonilla Llanos, M. C., Valencia, M. C., Solano, F., Cruz, A., Bonilla, N., & Ríos Barbosa, F. (2026). Perioperative Interventions Based on Fasting Protocols and Carbohydrate Loading in Non-Cardiac Surgery in Older Adults: A Scoping Review. Medicina, 62(4), 756. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62040756

