Does enteral nutrition compared to parenteral nutrition result in better outcomes in critically ill adult patients? A systematic review of the literature

The effect of enteral versus parenteral nutrition for critically ill patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To analyze the effect of enteral nutrition compared with parenteral nutrition in critically ill patients.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

SETTING

Intensive care unit.

PATIENTS

23 trials containing 6478 patients met our inclusion criteria.

INTERVENTION

A systematical literature search was conducted to identify eligible trials in electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, EBSCO and Cochrane Library. The primary outcome was mortality, the secondary outcomes were gastrointestinal complications, bloodstream infections, organ failures, length of stay in ICU and hospital. We performed a predefined subgroup analyses to explore the treatment effect by mean age, publication date and disease types.

MAIN RESULTS

The result showed no significant effect on overall mortality rate (OR 0.98, 95%CI 0.81 to 1.18, P = 0.83, I² = 19%) and organ failure rate (OR 0.87, 95%CI 0.75 to 1.01, P = 0.06, I² = 16%). The use of EN had more beneficial effects with fewer bloodstream infections when compared to PN (OR 0.59, 95%CI 0.43 to 0.82, P = 0.001, I² = 27%) and this was more noteworthy in the subgroup analysis for critical surgical patients (OR 0.36, 95%CI 0.22 to 0.59, P < 0.0001, I² = 0%). EN was associated with reduction in hospital LOS (MD -0.90, 95%CI -1.63 to -0.17, P = 0.21, I² = 0%) but had an increase incidence of gastrointestinal complications (OR 2.00, 95%CI 1.76 to 2.27, P < 0.00001, I² = 0%).

CONCLUSION

For critically ill patients, the two routes of nutrition support had no different effect on mortality rate. The use of EN could decrease the incidence of bloodstream infections and reduce hospital LOS but was associated with increased risk of gastrointestinal complications.

Association of Inadequate Caloric Supplementation with 30-Day Mortality in Critically Ill Postoperative Patients with High Modified NUTRIC Score

Modified NUTRIC (mNUTRIC) score is a useful assessment tool to determine the risk of malnutrition in patients on mechanical ventilation (MV). We identified associations between postoperative calorie adequacy, 30-day mortality, and surgical outcomes in patients with high mNUTRIC scores. Medical records of 272 patients in the intensive care unit who required MV support for >24 h after emergency gastro-intestinal (GI) surgery between January 2007 and December 2017 were reviewed. Calorie adequacy in percentage (Calorie intake in 5 days ÷ Calorie requirement for 5 days × 100) was assessed in patients with high (5–9) and low (0–4) mNUTRIC scores. In the high mNUTRIC score group, patients with inadequate calorie supplementation (calorie adequacy <70%) had higher 30-day mortality than those with adequate supplementation (31.5% vs. 11.1%; p = 0.010); this was not observed in patients with low mNUTRIC scores. This result was also confirmed through Kaplan–Meier survival curve (p = 0.022). Inadequate calorie supplementation in the high mNUTRIC score group was not associated with Intra-abdominal infection (p = 1.000), pulmonary complication (p = 0.695), wound complication (p = 0.407), postoperative leakage (p = 1.000), or infections (p = 0.847). Inadequate calorie supplementation after GI surgery was associated with higher 30-day mortality in patients with high mNUTRIC scores. Therefore, adequate calorie supplementation could contribute to improved survival of critically ill postoperative patients with high risk of malnutrition.

Major Predictors of Incidence of Congestive Heart Failure and the Responsive Character of Enteral Nutrition: Meta-Analysis

Background

Statistical data from the USA estimate that 5.7 million Americans over 20 years of age have congestive heart failure (CHF) and this number is expected to increase approximately 46.0% between 2012 and 2030. In Brazil, there are no epidemiological studies involving the incidence of heart failure; however, according to other countries, it can be estimated that up to 6.4 million Brazilians suffer from this syndrome. Randomized and controlled clinical studies on the efficacy of enteral nutrition (EN) in patients with CHF are lacking. The aim of the present study was to perform a systematic review of the main predictors of CHF that promote EN, as well as to find if the literary findings were conclusive in the efficacy of EN for treatment and prophylaxis of CHF.

Methods

A total of 105 papers were submitted to the eligibility analysis, after which 28 studies were selected, following the rules of the systematic review - PRISMA. The search strategy was followed in MEDLINE/Pubmed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect Journals (Elsevier), Scopus (Elsevier) and ONEFile (Gale), with the following steps: search for mesh terms and use of bouleanos “and” between terms and “or” between historical findings.

Results

The present study listed the major predictors of CHF with indication for EN. After testing the normality of each group of variables of causes of decompensation in CHF, it was analyzed that all the variables did not present normal distribution, with P < 0.10. Thus, a non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis analysis was performed, obtaining P > 0.05 in all analyses, that is, in all groups of causes of decompensation in CHF, there was no statistical difference in each group studied.

Conclusion

There is still no known influence of the efficacy of EN on increasing survival and reducing the morbidity of patients with CHF because there are few clinical trials that have evaluated this question; however, EN is very indicated in the attempt to mitigate the weight loss in these patients.

Effect of combined parenteral and enteral nutrition versus enteral nutrition alone for critically ill patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The increased mortality rate and other poor prognosis make malnutrition a serious issue for adult critically ill patients in intensive care unit care. This study was to compare outcomes between combined parenteral and enteral nutrition and enteral nutrition alone for adult critically ill patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PubMed (June 30, 2018), EMBASE (June 30, 2018), and Cochrane library databases (June 30, 2018) were searched systematically. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of comparing combined PN and EN with EN alone were eligible. Relative risks (RRs), mean differences (MDs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for dichotomous and continuous outcomes.

RESULTS

Eight RCTs involving 5360 patients met the inclusion criteria. Compared with combined PN and EN, fewer respiratory infections (RR, 1.13 [95% CI 1.01-1.25]) and shorter length of days at hospital (MD, 1.83 [95% CI 1.05-2.62]) were observed in EN alone group. And no significant differences were found on hospital mortality (RR, 0.91 [95% CI 0.74-1.12]), length of days in ICU (MD, -0.23 [95% CI -1.79 to 1.32]), duration of ventilatory support (MD, -1.10 [95% CI -3.15 to 0.94]), albumin (MD, -0.04 [95% CI, -0.12 to 0.21]), or prealbumin (MD, -0.77 [95% CI -0.22 to 1.75]) between theses 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

Receiving EN alone decreased the respiratory infections and length of days at hospital for critically ill patients. Combined PN and EN did not add up the potential risk from PN and EN on hospital mortality, length of days in ICU, duration of ventilatory support, albumin, and prealbumin.

Enteral nutrition feeding in Chinese intensive care units: a cross-sectional study involving 116 hospitals

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of large-scale epidemiological data on the clinical practice of enteral nutrition (EN) feeding in China. This study aimed to provide such data on Chinese hospitals and to investigate factors associated with EN delivery.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was launched in 118 intensive care units (ICUs) of 116 mainland hospitals and conducted on April 26, 2017. At 00:00 on April 26, all patients in these ICUs were included. Demographic and clinical variables of patients on April 25 were obtained. The dates of hospitalization, ICU admission and nutrition initiation were reviewed. The outcome status 28 days after the day of investigation was obtained.

RESULTS

A total of 1953 patients were included for analysis, including 1483 survivors and 312 nonsurvivors. The median study day was day 7 (IQR 2-19 days) after ICU entry. The proportions of subjects starting EN within 24, 48 and 72 h after ICU entry was 24.8% (84/352), 32.7% (150/459) and 40.0% (200/541), respectively. The proportion of subjects receiving > 80% estimated energy target within 24, 48, 72 h and 7 days after ICU entry was 10.5% (37/352), 10.9% (50/459), 11.8% (64/541) and 17.8% (162/910), respectively. Using acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI) 1 as the reference in a Cox model, patients with AGI 2-3 were associated with reduced likelihood of EN initiation (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.353-0.599; p < 0.001). AGI 4 was significantly associated with lower hazard of EN administration (HR 0.056; 95% CI 0.008-0.398; p = 0.004). In a linear regression model, greater Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores (coefficient - 0.002, 95% CI - 0.008 to - 0.001; p = 0.024) and male gender (coefficient - 0.144, 95% CI - 0.203 to - 0.085; p < 0.001) were found to be associated with lower EN proportion. As compared with AGI 1, AGI 2-3 was associated with lower EN proportion (coefficient - 0.206, 95% CI - 0.273 to - 0.139; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed that EN delivery was suboptimal in Chinese ICUs. More attention should be paid to EN use in the early days after ICU admission.

A retrospective evaluation of nutrition support in relation to clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with an open abdomen

BACKGROUND

Optimising nutrition support in critically ill patients with an open abdomen is challenging.

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to (i) quantify the amount and adequacy of nutrition support administered and (ii) determine any relationships that exist between mode of nutrition support delivery and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with an open abdomen.

METHODS

A retrospective review of critically ill patients mechanically ventilated for at least 48 h with an open abdomen in a mixed quaternary referral intensive care unit. Enteral and parenteral nutrition (ml) administered daily to patients was recorded for up to 21 days. Length of stay in the intensive care unit and hospital and duration of mechanical ventilation (days) were reported.

RESULTS

Thirty patients were studied [14 male, 68 y (15-90 y), body mass index 25 kg/m² (11-51 kg/m²), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score 20 (7-41), energy goal 1860 kcal/d (1250-2712 kcal/d)]. Patients received 55% (0-117%) of energy goal and 56% (0-105%) protein goal from either enteral or parenteral nutrition. When enteral nutrition was delivered alone or in combination with parenteral nutrition, patients received 48% (0-146%) of their energy and 59% (19-105%) of their protein goal. Patients fed parenteral nutrition, either alone or as supplementary to enteral nutrition (n = 18), received more energy when compared with those who only received enteral nutrition (n = 9) [65 (27-117) vs 49 (15-89) % energy goal, P = 0.025]. Parenteral nutrition was associated with an increased length of stay in hospital [63 (45-156) vs 45 (17-93) d, P = 0.037].

CONCLUSION

Patients with an open abdomen receive about half of their nutrition requirements when fed exclusively via the enteral route. Providing combination enteral and parenteral nutrition to reach nutritional goals may not result in better clinical outcomes for patients with an open abdomen.

Autophagy and Its Implications Against Early Full Nutrition Support in Critical Illness

The timing, dose, and route of early nutrition support in critically ill patients have been highly controversial for years. Despite the association of a caloric deficit with adverse outcome, several recent large, randomized, controlled trials have demonstrated a prolongation of organ failure and increased muscle weakness with increasing doses of nutrition in the acute phase of critical illness. A potential explanation for the negative impact of early, full feeding on outcome is feeding-induced suppression of autophagy, a cellular repair process that is necessary to clear intracellular damage. Whether nutrition management in critically ill patients should be guided by its effects on autophagy is a topic of debate. Currently, however, autophagy cannot be monitored in clinical practice. Moreover, clinical management should be guided by high-quality randomized controlled trials, which currently do not support the use of early full nutrition support.

Effect of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid-supplemented parenteral nutrition on inflammatory and immune function in postoperative patients with gastrointestinal malignancy: A meta-analysis of randomized control trials in China

BACKGROUND

There are no consensus regarding the efficacy of omega-3polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on inflammatory and immune function in postoperative patients with gastrointestinal malignancy.

METHODS

The literatures published randomized control trials (RCT) were searched in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Weipu, and Wanfang Databases. The immune efficacy outcomes of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid-supplemented parenteral nutrition in patients with gastrointestinal malignancy were compared.

RESULTS

Sixteen RCTs involving 1008 patients (506 in the omega-3 group, 502 in the control group) were enrolled into the analysis. The results of meta-analysis: the cell immunity: The proportions of CD3, CD4, CD4/CD8 in the omega-3 group were significantly higher than those in the control group (CD3: WMD = 4.48; 95% CI, 3.34-5.62; P < .00001; I = 0%; CD4: WMD = 5.55; 95% CI, 4.75-6.34; P < .00001; I = 0%; CD4/CD8: WMD = .28; 95% CI, 0.13-0.44; P = .0004; I = 81%). In the humoral immunity: The levels of IgA, IgM and IgG in the omega-3 group were significantly higher than those in the control group (IgA: WMD = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.25-0.37; P < .00001; I = 0%; IgM: WMD = 0.12; 95% CI, 0.06-1.81; P < .00001; I = 0%; IgG: WMD = 1.19; 95% CI, 0.80-1.58; P < .00001; I = 0%). The count of lymphocyte in the omega-3 group was significantly higher than that in the control group (WMD = 0.22; 95% CI, 0.12-0.33; P < .0001; I = 40%). In the postoperative inflammatory cytokine: The levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and C-reactive protein in the omega-3 group were significantly lower than those in the control group (IL-6: WMD = -3.09; 95% CI, -3.91 to 2.27; P < .00001; I = 45%; TNF-α: WMD = -1.65; 95% CI, -2.05 to 1.25; P < .00001; I = 28%; CRP: WMD = -4.28; 95% CI, -5.26 to 3.30; P < .00001; I = 37%). The rate of postoperative infective complications in the omega-3 group was significantly lower than that in the control group (OR = 0.36; 95% CI, 0.20-0.66; P = .0008; I = 0%).

CONCLUSION

This meta-kanalysis confirmed that early intervention with Omega -3 fatty acid emulsion in gastrointestinal cancer can not only improve the postoperative indicators of immune function, reduce inflammatory reaction, and improve the postoperative curative effect but also improve the immune suppression induced by conventional PN or tumor. Therefore, postoperative patients with gastrointestinal cancer should add omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids in their PN formula. Further high-quality RCTs are needed to verify its efficacy.

Enteral/Parenteral Nutrition in Foals and Adult Horses Practical Guidelines for the Practitioner

Nutritional support is an important adjunct to medical therapy in the sick, injured, or debilitated equine patient. What is not clear is the optimal route, composition, or amounts of support. The enteral route should be chosen whenever possible to maximize the benefits to the gastrointestinal tract and the patient as a whole. Complete or partial parenteral nutrition is most useful as a bridge during recovery and transition to enteral feeding in the horse. The reader is encouraged to consider nutritional support whether enteral or parenteral in any anorexic, chronically debilitated, or sick equine patient.

Enteral versus parenteral early nutrition in ventilated adults with shock: a randomised, controlled, multicentre, open-label, parallel-group study (NUTRIREA-2)

BACKGROUND

Whether the route of early feeding affects outcomes of patients with severe critical illnesses is controversial. We hypothesised that outcomes were better with early first-line enteral nutrition than with early first-line parenteral nutrition.

METHODS

In this randomised, controlled, multicentre, open-label, parallel-group study (NUTRIREA-2 trial) done at 44 French intensive-care units (ICUs), adults (18 years or older) receiving invasive mechanical ventilation and vasopressor support for shock were randomly assigned (1:1) to either parenteral nutrition or enteral nutrition, both targeting normocaloric goals (20-25 kcal/kg per day), within 24 h after intubation. Randomisation was stratified by centre using permutation blocks of variable sizes. Given that route of nutrition cannot be masked, blinding of the physicians and nurses was not feasible. Patients receiving parenteral nutrition could be switched to enteral nutrition after at least 72 h in the event of shock resolution (no vasopressor support for 24 consecutive hours and arterial lactate <2 mmol/L). The primary endpoint was mortality on day 28 after randomisation in the intention-to-treat-population. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01802099.

FINDINGS

After the second interim analysis, the independent Data Safety and Monitoring Board deemed that completing patient enrolment was unlikely to significantly change the results of the trial and recommended stopping patient recruitment. Between March 22, 2013, and June 30, 2015, 2410 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned; 1202 to the enteral group and 1208 to the parenteral group. By day 28, 443 (37%) of 1202 patients in the enteral group and 422 (35%) of 1208 patients in the parenteral group had died (absolute difference estimate 2·0%; [95% CI -1·9 to 5·8]; p=0·33). Cumulative incidence of patients with ICU-acquired infections did not differ between the enteral group (173 [14%]) and the parenteral group (194 [16%]; hazard ratio [HR] 0·89 [95% CI 0·72-1·09]; p=0·25). Compared with the parenteral group, the enteral group had higher cumulative incidences of patients with vomiting (406 [34%] vs 246 [20%]; HR 1·89 [1·62-2·20]; p<0·0001), diarrhoea (432 [36%] vs 393 [33%]; 1·20 [1·05-1·37]; p=0·009), bowel ischaemia (19 [2%] vs five [<1%]; 3·84 [1·43-10·3]; p=0·007), and acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (11 [1%] vs three [<1%]; 3·7 [1·03-13·2; p=0·04).

INTERPRETATION

In critically ill adults with shock, early isocaloric enteral nutrition did not reduce mortality or the risk of secondary infections but was associated with a greater risk of digestive complications compared with early isocaloric parenteral nutrition.

FUNDING

La Roche-sur-Yon Departmental Hospital and French Ministry of Health.

Early Enteral Nutrition is Associated with Faster Post-Esophagectomy Recovery in Chinese Esophageal Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

We retrospectively examined a large cohort of esophageal carcinoma patients who received early enteral nutrition (EEN) to clarify the validity of EEN compared with total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Included were a total of 665 consecutive patients with histologically confirmed carcinoma of the esophagus or esophagogastric junction; and all patients underwent esophagectomy. The patients were divided into two groups: TPN (n = 262) and EEN (n = 403). The TPN group consisted of patients who only received intravenous nutrition support after operation. The postoperative length of hospital stay (PLOS), anastomotic leakage, mortality after surgery, and hospital charges were reviewed and analyzed. Compared with the TPN group, the EEN group had significantly shorter mean PLOS (15.6 days vs. 22.5 days; P < 0.01). Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed EEN to be associated with shorter PLOS even after adjustment for tumor histology, tumor location, type of esophagectomy, and postoperative albumin infusion. Hospital charges were also significantly less for those in the EEN group than the TPN group. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the complication of anastomotic leakage and clinical outcome after surgery. These findings suggest that EEN reduces PLOS and hospital charges of Chinese esophageal cancer patients who had an esophagectomy.

Enteral Nutrition in Pediatric Patients

Pediatric patients require specialized attention and have diverse demands for proper growth and development, and thus need a different approach and interest in nutritional assessment and supply. Enteral nutrition is the most basic and important method of nutritional intervention, and its indications should be identified. Also, the sites, modes, types, and timing of nutritional intervention according to the patient's condition should be determined. In addition, various complications associated with enteral nutrition supply should be identified, and prevention and treatment are required. This approach to enteral nutrition and proper administration can help in the proper growth and recovery of pediatric patients with nutritional imbalances or nutritional needs.

Assessment of parenteral nutrition prescription in Canadian acute care settings

BACKGROUND

Parenteral nutrition (PN) prescription can be challenging in patients with complex conditions and has potential complications.

OBJECTIVE

To assess PN prescription, monitoring, and PN-related complications in a Canadian acute care setting.

METHODS

This was a prospective cohort study in which patients receiving PN were assessed by an auditor for nutritional status, PN-related prescription, monitoring, and complications. In addition, length of stay and mortality were recorded.

RESULTS

147 patients (mean ± SD 56.1 ± 16.4 y) with complex diseases (Charlson comorbidity index, median [p25-p75] 2 [1-4]) were enrolled. Before starting PN, 18.6%, 63.9%, and 17.5% of patients were classified as subjective global assessment A, B, and C, respectively. Body mass index remained unchanged during the period on PN. On average, 89% and 73% of patients received <90% of their energy and protein requirements, respectively, but 65% received oral or enteral nutrition at some point during PN. The average daily energy provided by PN increased and stabilized on day 10, reaching 87.2 ± 20.1% of the requirements. Line sepsis (6.8% of patients) and hyperglycemia (6.9%) were the most common complications. The overall mortality was 15.6%. For those alive, length of stay was 30 (range: 4-268) d. PN was discontinued because of transitioning to an oral diet (56.6%), enteral nutrition (17.6%), home PN (14.7%), palliative care (5.1%), death (4.4%), or other (1.5%).

CONCLUSION

Most patients were malnourished at the start of PN. Energy and protein provided from PN were less than requirements, and the goals were reached with delay. Mortality was high, possibly as a result of complex diseases.

Initial nutritional management during noninvasive ventilation and outcomes: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Patients starting noninvasive ventilation (NIV) to treat acute respiratory failure are often unable to eat and therefore remain in the fasting state or receive nutritional support. Maintaining a good nutritional status has been reported to improve patient outcomes. In the present study, our primary objective was to describe the nutritional management of patients starting first-line NIV, and our secondary objectives were to assess potential associations between nutritional management and outcomes.

Methods

Observational retrospective cohort study of a prospective database fed by 20 French intensive care units. Adult medical patients receiving NIV for more than 2 consecutive days were included and divided into four groups on the basis of nutritional support received during the first 2 days of NIV: no nutrition, enteral nutrition, parenteral nutrition only, and oral nutrition only.

Results

Of the 16,594 patients admitted during the study period, 1075 met the inclusion criteria; of these, 622 (57.9%) received no nutrition, 28 (2.6%) received enteral nutrition, 74 (6.9%) received parenteral nutrition only, and 351 (32.7%) received oral nutrition only. After adjustment for confounders, enteral nutrition (vs. no nutrition) was associated with higher 28-day mortality (adjusted HR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2–4.4) and invasive mechanical ventilation needs (adjusted HR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.1–4.2), as well as with fewer ventilator-free days by day 28 (adjusted relative risk, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.5–0.9).

Conclusions

Nearly three-fifths of patients receiving NIV fasted for the first 2 days. Lack of feeding or underfeeding was not associated with mortality. The optimal route of nutrition for these patients needs to be investigated.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13054-017-1867-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Better early outcome with enteral rather than parenteral nutrition in children undergoing MAC allo-SCT

There is no consensus on the type of nutritional support to introduce in children undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) after myeloablative conditioning (MAC). This retrospective, multicenter, observational study compared the early administration of enteral nutrition (EN group, n = 97) versus parenteral nutrition (PN group, n = 97) in such patients with matching for important covariates. The primary endpoint was the study of day 100 overall mortality. The early outcome at day 100 was better in EN group regarding mortality rate (1% vs. 13%; p = 0.0127), non relapse mortality (1% vs. 7%; p = 0.066), acute GVHD grades II-IV (37% vs. 54%; p = 0.0127), III-IV (18% vs. 34%; p = 0.0333) and its gut localization (16% vs. 32%; p = 0.0136). Platelet engraftment was better in EN group than in PN group for the threshold of 20 G/L (97% vs. 80% p < 0.0001) and 50 G/L (92% vs. 78%, p < 0.0001). The length of stay was shorter in EN group (28 vs. 52 days, p < 0.0001). There were no differences between the two groups regarding the polynuclear neutrophil engraftment, infection rate or mucositis occurrence. These results suggest that, in children undergoing MAC allo-SCT, PN should be reserved to the only cases when up-front EN is insufficient or impossible to perform.

Critical Care Nutrition: Where's the Evidence?

The surgical critically ill patient is subject to a variable and complex metabolic response, which has detrimental effects on immunity, wound healing, and preservation of lean body muscle. The concept of nutrition support has evolved into nutrition therapy, whereby the primary objectives are to prevent oxidative cell injury, modulate the immune response, and attenuate the metabolic response. This review outlines the metabolic response to critical illness, describes nutritional risk; reviews the evidence for the role, dose, and timing of enteral and parenteral nutrition, and reviews the evidence for immunonutrition in the surgical intensive care unit.

Effects on nutritional care practice after implementation of a flow chart-based nutrition support protocol in an intensive care unit

Background

Enteral nutrition (EN) is associated with improved outcome in critically ill patients and is more affordable. We compared nutritional care practice in our ICU before and after modification of our nutrition support protocol: Several comprehensive documents were substituted with one flow chart and early EN was encouraged.

Design

Retrospective observational study.

Methods

Nutritional data were collected from admission up to 7 days in 25 patients before and 25 patients after protocol modification.

Results

The percentage of patients receiving EN within 72 hr of admission increased from 64% before to 88% after protocol modification. Cumulative percentage energy from EN during ICU days 1–4 increased from 26–89% of total kcal. Overall amount of nutrition administered enterally increased, with a corresponding marked decline in use of parenteral nutrition. Pre‐modification, >80% of patients received >65% of their calculated nutrition requirements by ICU Day 4; post‐modification this goal was achieved by Day 7.

Economic analysis of costs with enteral and parenteral nutritional therapy according to disease and outcome

Objective

To conduct an economic analysis of enteral and parenteral diet costs according to the type of disease and outcome (survivors versus deaths).

Methods

It is a cross-sectional, observational, retrospective study with a qualitative and quantitative design, based on analysis of hospital accounts from a healthcare insurance provider in the Southern region of Brazil.

Results

We analyzed 301 hospital accounts of individuals who used enteral and parenteral diets. The total cost of the diet was 35.4% of hospital account total costs. The enteral modality accounted for 59.8% of total dietary costs. The major costs with diets were observed in hospitalizations related to infections, cancers and cerebro-cardiovascular diseases. The major costs with parenteral diet were with admissions related by cancers (64.52%) and dementia syndromes (46.17%). The highest ratio between total diet costs with the total of hospital account costs was in dementia syndromes (46.32%) and in cancers (41.2%). The individuals who died spent 51.26% of total of hospital account costs, being 32.81% in diet (47.45% of total diet value and 58.81% in parenteral modality).

Conclusion

Enteral and parenteral nutritional therapies account for a significant part of the costs with hospitalized individuals, especially in cases of cancers and dementia syndromes. The costs of parenteral diets were higher in the group of patients who died.

Making Nutrition Management Scientific, Objective and Simple with the Help of Technology

Nutrition management is one of the cornerstones of care in the management of hospitalized patients, especially, for those who are critically ill. Significant numbers of hospitalized patients have alteration in appetite and the function of the gastrointestinal tract. Calculating the caloric goal, prescribed proteins to be delivered in a finite amount of water at a certain rate is the need of the hour and it becomes a daunting task to complete daily. With the help of technology such tasks can be completed easily and accurately. This suggestion based software called as "iNutriMon" helps to screen out the patients which are at risk of malnutrition, formulate a plan, monitor and manage enteral nutrition of patients by calculating calories, proteins and water intake as per the patient requirement.

Clinical nutrition and gastrointestinal dysfunction in critically ill stroke patients

Background Data on the epidemiology and risk factors of altered gastrointestinal motility (AGIM) is virtually lacking for patients suffering from non-traumatic neurologic diseases and stroke. This study investigated whether patterns of AGIM differ between patients with stroke and other severe acute brain diseases. Methods Clinical records of stroke and non-stroke patients treated at a neurological intensive care unit (ICU) were reviewed at day 1-5 and at day 10 after admission. The data was analyzed for the course of enteral/parenteral nutrition and for and for signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal dysfunction. The study included data of 76 patients, 57 with stroke (stroke group, SG) and 19 with other neurological diseases (non-stroke group, NSG). Results Basic demographic as well as clinical baseline characteristics and alimentation regime were similar in both groups. At least one sign of AGIM was seen in 33/57 (58%) SG and in 15/19 (79%) NSG patients (P = 0.099). Regurgitation was significantly more frequent among patients from the NSG (P < 0.05). Subjects from the NSG also spent a higher proportion of time with at least one symptom of AGIM present (P < 0.05). Conclusions For the first time, this study investigated the prevalence of AGIM in patients suffering from severe stroke. The prevalence of disturbed gastrointestinal function was found to be high in stroke patients, but was lower than in a group of non-stroke patients with similar general disease severity and baseline characteristics.

Critically ill patients and gut motility: Are we addressing it?

Gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility is a common problem in the critically ill population. It can be a reflection and an early sign of patient deterioration or it can be an independent cause of morbidity and mortality. GI dysmotility can be divided for clinical purposes on upper GI dysmotility and lower GI dysmotility. Upper GI dysmotility manifests by nausea, feeding intolerance and vomiting; its implications include aspiration into the airway of abdominal contents and underfeeding. Several strategies to prevent and treat this condition can be tried and they include prokinetics and post-pyloric feeds. It is important to note that upper GI dysmotility should be treated only when there are clinical signs of intolerance (nausea, vomiting) and not based on measurement of gastric residual volumes. Lower GI dysmotility manifests throughout the spectrum of ileus and diarrhea. Ileus can present in the small bowel and the large bowel as well. In both scenarios the initial treatment is correction of electrolyte abnormalities, avoiding drugs that can decrease motility and patient mobilization. When this fails, in the case of small bowel ileus, lactulose and polyethylene glycol solutions can be useful. In the case of colonic pseudo obstruction, neostigmine, endoscopic decompression and cecostomy can be tried when the situation reaches the risk of rupture. Diarrhea is also a common manifestation of GI dysmotility and the most important step is to differentiate between infectious sources and non-infectious sources.

Pneumatosis Intestinalis in Patients Receiving Tube Feeds

Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) identified on computed tomography (CT) suggests an underlying pathology including bowel ischemia. Patients receiving tube feeds can develop PI, potentially requiring surgical intervention. We identify clinical factors in PI to predict those that may be safe to observe versus those that need immediate intervention. We retrospectively reviewed patients from a single institution from 2008 to 2016 with CT findings of PI and an enteric feeding tube. Patients who had not received tube feeds within one week of the CT were excluded. We analyzed clinical, operative, and outcome data to differentiate benign from pathologic outcomes. P values < 0.05 were set as significant. Forty patients were identified. We classified 24 as benign (no intervention) and 16 as pathologic (requiring intervention). A pathologic outcome was demonstrated for free fluid on CT [odds ratio (OR) = 5.00, confidence interval (CI) 1.23-20.30, P = 0.03)], blood urea nitrogen (BUN) elevation (OR = 8.27, CI 1.53-44.62, P = 0.01), creatinine (Cr) elevation (OR = 5.00, CI 1.27-19.62, P = 0.02), BUN/Cr ratio >30 (OR = 8.57, CI 1.79-40.98, P = 0.006), and vomiting/ feeding intolerance (OR = 9.38, CI 1.64-53.62, P = 0.01). Bowel function within 24 hours of the CT, bowel dilatation (small ≥ 3 cm; large ≥6 cm), and lactic acidemia were not significant. Peritonitis was only seen in pathologic states, but this did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.06). This represents the largest single-center retrospective analysis of tube feeding-induced PI to date. The presence of free fluid on CT, BUN and Cr elevation, BUN/Cr >30, vomiting/feeding intolerance and peritonitis were predictive of a pathologic etiology of PI.

Significant Published Articles for Pharmacy Nutrition Support Practice in 2016

Purpose: To assist the pharmacist engaged in nutrition support therapy in staying current with pertinent literature. Methods: Several clinical pharmacists engaged in nutrition support therapy compiled a list of articles published in 2016 considered important to their clinical practice. The citation list was compiled into a single spreadsheet where the author participants were asked to assess whether the paper was considered important to nutrition support pharmacy practice. A culled list of publications was then identified whereby the majority of author participants (at least 5 out of 8) considered the paper to be important. Guideline and consensus papers from professional organizations, important to practice but not scored, were also included. Results: A total of 103 articles were identified; 10 from the primary literature were voted by the group to be of high importance. An additional 11 organizational guidelines, position, recommendation, or consensus papers were also identified. The top-ranked articles from the primary literature were reviewed. Conclusion: It is recommended that pharmacists, engaged in nutrition support therapy, be familiar with the majority of these articles as it pertains to their practice.

Prevention and Therapy of Acute Kidney Injury in the Developing World

Timely recognition of patients at risk or with possible acute kidney injury (AKI) is essential for early intervention to minimize further damage and improve outcome. Initial management of patients with suspected and persistent AKI should include thorough clinical assessment of all patients with AKI to identify reversible factors, including fluid volume status, potential nephrotoxins, and an assessment of the underlying health of the kidney. Based on these assessments, early interventions to provide appropriate and adequate fluid resuscitation while avoiding fluid overload, removal of nephrotoxins, and adjustment of drug doses according to the level of kidney function derangement are important. The judicious use of diuretics for fluid overload and/or in cardiac decompensated patients and introduction of early enteral nutritional support need to be considered to improve outcomes in AKI. Although these basic principles are well recognized, their application in clinical practice in low resource settings is often limited due to lack of education, availability of resources, and lack of trained personnel, which limits access to care. We report the consensus recommendations of the 18th Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative meeting in Hyderabad, India, on strategies to evaluate patients with suspected AKI and initiate measures for prevention and management to improve outcomes, particularly in low resource settings. These recomendations provide a framework for caregivers, who are often primary care physicians, nurses, and other allied healthcare personnel, to manage patients with AKI in resource poor countries.

Impact of Early Enteral Nutrition on Nutritional and Immunological Outcomes of Gastric Cancer Patients Undergoing Gastrostomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

The present systematic review and meta-analysis study evaluated the impact of early enteral nutrition (EN) on postoperative nutritional and immunological outcomes of gastric cancer (GC) patients.

METHOD

The databases of PubMed, Embase, Springer, and Cochrane library were searched till September 2016 to identify studies which evaluated the effects of EN compared with parenteral nutrition (PN) on postoperative immunological and nutritional status and hospitalization time in GC patients. Mean difference (MD) or standard mean difference (SMD) was calculated and I-square statistic test was used for heterogeneity analysis.

RESULTS

The present systematic review and meta-analysis have consisted of seven trials, containing 835 GC patients. According to the result of meta-analysis, compared with PN, EN significantly resulted in more increase in the level of albumin [MD = 2.07 (0.49, 3.64)], prealbumin [MD = 9.41 (049, 33.55)], weight [MD = 1.52 (0.32, 2.72)], CD3+ [SMD = 1.96 (1.50, 2.43)], CD4+ [SMD = 2.45 (1.97, 2.93)], natural killers [MD = 5.80 (3.75, 7.85)], and also a decrease in the hospitalization time [MD=-2.39 (-2.74, -2.03)].

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrated that early administration of EN is more effective in improving postsurgical nutrition status and immune index in GC patients. So, based on these results, postoperative early administration of EN is recommended for GC patients where possible.

Total parenteral nutrition usage trends in the United States

INTRODUCTION

This study examined how total parenteral nutrition (TPN) usage has changed in recent years, and whether a difference exists between teaching and non-teaching institutions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, total discharges of patients who received TPN (ICD-9 99.15) from 2001 to 2014 were determined. The cohort was dichotomized for teaching and non-teaching institutions, and analyzed using the Z-test statistic.

RESULTS

Annual patients receiving TPN at all institutions increased significantly from 25,075 in 2001 to 33,435 in 2014 (P<0.0001), peaking at 43,350 in 2012. Annual patients receiving TPN at teaching institutions increased significantly from 13,231 in 2001 to 24,630 in 2014 (P<0.0001), peaking at 26,935 in 2012. Annual patients receiving TPN at non-teaching institutions decreased significantly from 11,844 in 2001 to 8805 in 2014 (P<0.0001), peaking at 17,920 in 2011.

DISCUSSION

It is unclear why TPN usage trended upward in United States hospitals, and why TPN usage peaked and subsequently decreased in non-teaching institutions while continuing to uptrend in teaching institutions. Further inquiry is indicated to determine the etiology of this discrepancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Utilization of TPN increased in the United States between 2001 and 2014, eventually decreasing in non-teaching institutions but not in teaching institutions.

Evidence-based recommendations and expert consensus on enteral nutrition in the adult patient with diabetes mellitus or hyperglycemia

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to develop evidence-based recommendations for glycemic control of patients with diabetes mellitus or stress hyperglycemia who are receiving enteral nutrition (EN).

METHODS

A Delphi survey method using Grading Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria was utilized for evaluation of suitable studies.

RESULTS

In patients with diabetes or stress hyperglycemia who were on EN support, the following results were found: CONCLUSIONS: These recommendations and suggestions regarding enteral feeding in patients with diabetes and hyperglycemia have direct clinical applicability.

Intestinal T lymphocyte homing is associated with gastric emptying and epithelial barrier function in critically ill: a prospective observational study

Background

Impaired gastric emptying is common in critically ill patients. Intestinal dysmotility, a major cause of feed intolerance, may foster infectious complications due to mucosal barrier disruption. However, little is known about gut-directed immune activation, intestinal barrier function and its association with impaired gastric emptying in critically ill patients at ICU admission.

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational study at two tertiary care medical ICUs. Fifty consecutive patients needing invasive mechanical ventilation were recruited within 24 h of ICU admission, prior to any nutritional support. The acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score, the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score and the multiple organ dysfunction score (MODS) were used to assess illness severity and multiple organ dysfunction. Gastric emptying was assessed by paracetamol absorption test. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were freshly isolated and cultured for 24 h, and TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 measured in cell culture supernatants and in serum by ELISA. The intestinal epithelial barrier was assessed, quantifying serum concentrations of intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP), ileal bile-acid binding protein (I-BABP) and zonulin-1 by ELISA. Small bowel homing T lymphocytes (CD4+ α4β7 + CCR9+) were analyzed by flow cytometry. The Mann-Whitney test and Spearman correlation were used in statistical evaluation.

Results

CD4 + α4β7 + CCR9+ T lymphocytes were inversely correlated with gastric emptying. Patients with delayed gastric emptying at ICU admission (n = 35) had significantly higher serum and PBMC-induced TNF-α and IL-1β and increased intestinal barrier disruption reflected by higher I-FABP, I-BABP and zonulin-1. Patients who died in the ICU had significantly impaired gastric empting at admission compared to ICU survivors. No differences were observed in APACHE II, SOFA or MODS in patients with delayed gastric emptying compared to patients with normal gastric emptying.

Conclusions

Exaggerated CD4 + α4β7 + CCR9+ T lymphocyte homing with increased pro-inflammatory cytokine release and intestinal epithelial barrier disruption are associated with delayed gastric emptying. This is not simply due to differences in overall severity of illness at ICU admission and may represent a pathophysiological mechanism of gut-directed immune activation leading to impaired barrier function in the critically ill.

Nutritional management of acute pancreatitis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Acute pancreatitis is one of the most common causes for hospitalization related to a gastrointestinal disorder. It carries significant morbidity, and when severe, significant mortality. Multiple interventions have been studied to treat pancreatitis. Of all these interventions, none is more important or impactful than nutrition.

RECENT FINDINGS

High-quality evidence along with society guidelines have recommended the use of enteral nutrition over parenteral nutrition in patients with pancreatitis. Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses have been published and will be reviewed here.

SUMMARY

The use of enteral nutrition has been demonstrated to decrease mortality and infectious complications compared with parenteral nutrition. The ideal timing of initiating enteral nutrition is not clear, however, early nutrition (within 48 h) appears to be safe and tolerated. Most studies have utilized nasojejunal feeding tubes; however, some patients may tolerate nasogastric or even oral refeeding. Clinicians who manage patients with pancreatitis must be aware of the critical role of nutrition in preventing pancreatitis-related complications.

Clinical Costs of Feeding Tube Placement

BACKGROUND

Although small-bore tube placement is common, insertion can lead to serious complications. We investigated the use of radiographs, fluoroscopy, feeding tubes, and complications associated with blind feeding-tube placement.

METHODS

The electronic and paper records of adult patients receiving a small-bore feeding tube in 2005 were retrospectively reviewed for the following variables: demographics, desired location (gastric or postpyloric), number of radiographs, number of tubes per individual, time interval between medical prescription, tube placement and delivery of the diet, complications, transport for fluoroscopy, and hospital location of placement (intensive care unit vs floor).

RESULTS

We identified 1822 tubes placed into 729 patients (male: 449, 61.6%; female: 280, 38.4%; median age: 59 years old, range 18-98). All tubes were placed by nurses unless fluoroscopically placed in radiology or placed after head and neck surgery in the operating room. An average of 2.5 (range 1-20) tubes was used per patient. A total of 2696 radiographs were obtained for an average of 3.7 (range 0-32) films per patient and 1.5 (range 0-11) per feeding tube. Successful placement was higher for intragastric (93.3%) than for postpyloric position (60.4%; p < .001). Fluoroscopy was needed in 18.6% of the patients, mostly for postpyloric insertion (p < .001). Respiratory tree misplacement occurred in 23 (3.2%) patients; 9 (1.2%) had a pneumothorax and 4 (0.5%) died. Patients with a malpositioned feeding tube underwent more tube insertions (6.8 +/- 5.4; range 2-20) than patients without complications (2.2 +/- 1.8; range 1-18; p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of airway misplacement of feeding tubes (3.2%) at a major tertiary referral university hospital was alarming. Mandatory radiographs may eliminate the risk of respiratory administration of feedings but not misplacements. The associated costs of radiographs, unsuccessful placements, fluoroscopy, and complications are significant. A solution to this problem will require focused attention and development of specific protocols, possibly using new technologies.

When Is Parenteral Nutrition Appropriate?

Parenteral nutrition (PN) represents one of the most notable achievements of modern medicine, serving as a therapeutic modality for all age groups across the healthcare continuum. PN offers a life-sustaining option when intestinal failure prevents adequate oral or enteral nutrition. However, providing nutrients by vein is an expensive form of nutrition support, and serious adverse events can occur. In an effort to provide clinical guidance regarding PN therapy, the Board of Directors of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) convened a task force to develop consensus recommendations regarding appropriate PN use. The recommendations contained in this document aim to delineate appropriate PN use and promote clinical benefits while minimizing the risks associated with the therapy. These consensus recommendations build on previous ASPEN clinical guidelines and consensus recommendations for PN safety. They are intended to guide evidence-based decisions regarding appropriate PN use for organizations and individual professionals, including physicians, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, and other clinicians involved in providing PN. They not only support decisions related to initiating and managing PN but also serve as a guide for developing quality monitoring tools for PN and for identifying areas for further research. Finally, the recommendations contained within the document are also designed to inform decisions made by additional stakeholders, such as policy makers and third-party payers, by providing current perspectives regarding the use of PN in a variety of healthcare settings.

Supplemental parenteral nutrition in intensive care patients: A cost saving strategy

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The Swiss supplemental parenteral nutrition (SPN) study demonstrated that optimised energy provision combining enteral nutrition (EN) and SPN reduces nosocomial infections in critically ill adults who fail to achieve targeted energy delivery with EN alone. To assess the economic impact of this strategy, we performed a cost-effectiveness analysis using data from the SPN study.

METHODS

Multivariable regression analyses were performed to characterise the relationships between SPN, cumulative energy deficit, nosocomial infection, and resource consumption. The results were used as inputs for a deterministic simulation model evaluating the cost-effectiveness of SPN administered on days 4-8 in patients who fail to achieve ≥60% of targeted energy delivery with EN by day 3. Cost data were derived primarily from Swiss diagnosis-related case costs and official labour statistics.

RESULTS

Provision of SPN on days 4-8 was associated with a mean decrease of 2320 ± 338 kcal in cumulative energy deficit compared with EN alone (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that each 1000 kcal decrease in cumulative energy deficit was associated with a 10% reduction in the risk of nosocomial infection (odds ratio 0.90; 95% confidence interval 0.83-0.99; p < 0.05). The incremental cost per avoided infection was -63,048 CHF, indicating that the reduction in infection was achieved at a lower cost.

CONCLUSION

Optimisation of energy provision using SPN is a cost-saving strategy in critically ill adults for whom EN is insufficient to meet energy requirements.

Optimizing nutrition of the preterm infant

The goal of nutrition of the preterm infant is to meet the growth rate of the healthy fetus of the same gestational age and to produce the same body composition of the healthy fetus in terms of organ growth, tissue components, and cell number and structure. Nutritional quantity and quality are fundamental for normal growth and development of preterm infants, including neurodevelopmental outcomes. Failure to provide the necessary amounts of all of the essential nutrients has produced not only growth failure, but also increased morbidity and less than optimal neurodevelopment. Growth velocities during the NICU hospitalization period for preterm infants exert a significant effect on neurodevelopmental and anthropometric outcomes. Despite the obvious need for optimal nutrition, growth failure is almost universal among preterm infants. There is every reason, therefore, to optimize nutrition of the preterm infant, in terms of total energy and protein, but also in terms of individual components such as amino acids, specific carbohydrates and lipids, and even oxygen. This review presents scientific rationale for nutrient requirements and practical guidelines and approaches to intravenous and enteral feeding for preterm infants. Intravenous feeding, including amino acids, should be started right after birth at rates that are appropriate for the gestational age of the infant. Enteral feeding should be started as soon as possible after birth, using mother's colostrum and milk as first choices. Enteral feeding should begin with trophic amounts and advanced as rapidly as tolerated, decreasing IV nutrition accordingly, while maintaining nutrient intakes at recommended rates. Feeding protocols are valuable for improving nutrition and related outcomes. Further research is needed to determine the optimal nutrition and rate of growth in preterm infants that will achieve optimal neurocognitive benefits while minimizing the longer-term risk of chronic diseases.

A multicentre, randomised controlled trial comparing the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of early nutritional support via the parenteral versus the enteral route in critically ill patients (CALORIES)

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition is a common problem in critically ill patients in UK NHS critical care units. Early nutritional support is therefore recommended to address deficiencies in nutritional state and related disorders in metabolism. However, evidence is conflicting regarding the optimum route (parenteral or enteral) of delivery.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the effect of early nutritional support via the parenteral route compared with the enteral route on mortality at 30 days and on incremental cost-effectiveness at 1 year. Secondary objectives were to compare the route of early nutritional support on duration of organ support; infectious and non-infectious complications; critical care unit and acute hospital length of stay; all-cause mortality at critical care unit and acute hospital discharge, at 90 days and 1 year; survival to 90 days and 1 year; nutritional and health-related quality of life, resource use and costs at 90 days and 1 year; and estimated lifetime incremental cost-effectiveness.

DESIGN

A pragmatic, open, multicentre, parallel-group randomised controlled trial with an integrated economic evaluation.

SETTING

Adult general critical care units in 33 NHS hospitals in England.

PARTICIPANTS

2400 eligible patients.

INTERVENTIONS

Five days of early nutritional support delivered via the parenteral (n = 1200) and enteral (n = 1200) route.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

All-cause mortality at 30 days after randomisation and incremental net benefit (INB) (at £20,000 per quality-adjusted life-year) at 1 year.

RESULTS

By 30 days, 393 of 1188 (33.1%) patients assigned to receive early nutritional support via the parenteral route and 409 of 1195 (34.2%) assigned to the enteral route had died [p = 0.57; absolute risk reduction 1.15%, 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.65 to 4.94; relative risk 0.97 (0.86 to 1.08)]. At 1 year, INB for the parenteral route compared with the enteral route was negative at -£1320 (95% CI -£3709 to £1069). The probability that early nutritional support via the parenteral route is more cost-effective - given the data - is < 20%. The proportion of patients in the parenteral group who experienced episodes of hypoglycaemia (p = 0.006) and of vomiting (p < 0.001) was significantly lower than in the enteral group. There were no significant differences in the 15 other secondary outcomes and no significant interactions with pre-specified subgroups.

LIMITATIONS

Blinding of nutritional support was deemed to be impractical and, although the primary outcome was objective, some secondary outcomes, although defined and objectively assessed, may have been more vulnerable to observer bias.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality at 30 days for early nutritional support via the parenteral route compared with the enteral route among adults admitted to critical care units in England. On average, costs were higher for the parenteral route, which, combined with similar survival and quality of life, resulted in negative INBs at 1 year.

FUTURE WORK

Nutritional support is a complex combination of timing, dose, duration, delivery and type, all of which may affect outcomes and costs. Conflicting evidence remains regarding optimum provision to critically ill patients. There is a need to utilise rigorous consensus methods to establish future priorities for basic and clinical research in this area.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN17386141.

FUNDING

This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 20, No. 28. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Feeding an Elemental Dietvsa Milk-Based Formula Does Not Decrease Intestinal Mucosal Growth in Infant Pigs

BACKGROUND

We previously showed that the level of enteral nutrient intake determines the rate of intestinal growth in piglets. Our objective was to determine whether providing enteral nutrition in the form of elemental nutrients (glucose, amino acids, lipid [ED]) rather than cow's milk formula (lactose, protein, lipid [FORM]) reduces small intestinal growth and lactase activity.

METHODS

Three-week-old piglets were fed either ED (n = 7) intragastrically or FORM (n = 6) orally for 6 days.

RESULTS

Intestinal protein and DNA masses, villus height, and crypt depth were not different in ED and FORM pigs. Crypt cell proliferation, measured by in vivo bromodeoxyuridine labeling, was significantly (p < .05) higher (+37%) in ED than in FORM pigs. Rates of mucosal protein synthesis (%/d), measured by in vivo 2H-leucine incorporation, were higher (p < .05) in ED than FORM (147 vs 89) pigs. Circulating concentrations (pmol/L) of the intestinotrophic peptide, glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), were also higher (p < .05) in ED than in FORM (148 vs 87) pigs. The mean lactase-specific activity (micromol/min/g) in proximal and distal segments was higher (p < .05) in FORM than in ED (124 vs 58) pigs.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that intestinal mucosal growth and villus morphology are similar in pigs fed ED and FORM, despite higher cell proliferation and protein synthesis rates and lower lactase activity with ED. This implies that elemental diets may be as trophic as polymeric formulas to simultaneously provide nutrition and a stimulus for intestinal growth during bowel rest.

Effectiveness of enteral feeding protocol on clinical outcomes in critically ill patients: A before and after study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Enteral nutrition (EN) feeding protocol was proposed to have positive impact on critically ill patients. However, current studies showed conflicting results. The present study aimed to investigate whether enteral feeding protocol was able to improve clinical outcomes in critically ill patients.

METHODS

A before (stage 1) and after (stage 2) interventional study was performed in 10 tertiary care hospitals. All patients expected to stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) for over three days were potentially eligible. Clinical outcomes such as 28-day mortality, ICU length of stay, duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), and nosocomial infection were compared between the two stages.

MAIN RESULTS

A total of 410 patients were enrolled during the study period, including 236 in stage 1 and 174 in stage 2. EN feeding protocol was able to increase the proportion of EN in day 2 (41.8±22.3 vs. 50.0±28.3%; p = 0.006) and day 6 (70.3±25.2 vs. 77.6±25.8%; p = 0.006). EN percentages tended to be higher in stage 1 than that in stage 2 on other days, but statistical significance was not reached. There was no difference in 28-day mortality between stage 1 and 2 (0.14 vs. 0.14; p = 0.984). Implementation of EN feeding protocol marginally reduced ICU length of stay (19.44±18.48 vs. 16.29±16.19 days; p = 0.077). There was no difference in the duration of MV between stage a and stage 2 (14.24±14.49 vs. 14.51±17.55 days; p = 0.877).

CONCLUSIONS

The study found that the EN feeding protocol was able to increase the proportion of EN feeding, but failed to reduce 28-day mortality, incidence of nosocomial infection or duration of MV.

Lower versus higher dose of enteral caloric intake in adult critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

There is conflicting evidence about the relationship between the dose of enteral caloric intake and survival in critically ill patients. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to compare the effect of lower versus higher dose of enteral caloric intake in adult critically ill patients on outcome.

METHODS

We reviewed MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus from inception through November 2015. We included randomized and quasi-randomized studies in which there was a significant difference in the caloric intake in adult critically ill patients, including trials in which caloric restriction was the primary intervention (caloric restriction trials) and those with other interventions (non-caloric restriction trials). Two reviewers independently extracted data on study characteristics, caloric intake, and outcomes with hospital mortality being the primary outcome.

RESULTS

Twenty-one trials mostly with moderate bias risk were included (2365 patients in the lower caloric intake group and 2352 patients in the higher caloric group). Lower compared with higher caloric intake was not associated with difference in hospital mortality (risk ratio (RR) 0.953; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.838-1.083), ICU mortality (RR 0.885; 95 % CI 0.751-1.042), total nosocomial infections (RR 0.982; 95 % CI 0.878-1.077), mechanical ventilation duration, or length of ICU or hospital stay. Blood stream infections (11 trials; RR 0.718; 95 % CI 0.519-0.994) and incident renal replacement therapy (five trials; RR 0.711; 95 % CI 0.545-0.928) were lower with lower caloric intake. The associations between lower compared with higher caloric intake and primary and secondary outcomes, including pneumonia, were not different between caloric restriction and non-caloric restriction trials, except for the hospital stay which was longer with lower caloric intake in the caloric restriction trials.

CONCLUSIONS

We found no association between the dose of caloric intake in adult critically ill patients and hospital mortality. Lower caloric intake was associated with lower risk of blood stream infections and incident renal replacement therapy (five trials only). The heterogeneity in the design, feeding route and timing and caloric dose among the included trials could limit our interpretation. Further studies are needed to clarify our findings.

Di- and tripeptide transport in vertebrates: the contribution of teleost fish models

Solute Carrier 15 (SLC15) family, alias H⁺-coupled oligopeptide cotransporter family, is a group of membrane transporters known for their role in the cellular uptake of di- and tripeptides (di/tripeptides) and peptide-like molecules. Of its members, SLC15A1 (PEPT1) chiefly mediates intestinal absorption of luminal di/tripeptides from dietary protein digestion, while SLC15A2 (PEPT2) mainly allows renal tubular reabsorption of di/tripeptides from ultrafiltration, SLC15A3 (PHT2) and SLC15A4 (PHT1) possibly interact with di/tripeptides and histidine in certain immune cells, and SLC15A5 has unknown function. Our understanding of this family in vertebrates has steadily increased, also due to the surge of genomic-to-functional information from 'non-conventional' animal models, livestock, poultry, and aquaculture fish species. Here, we review the literature on the SLC15 transporters in teleost fish with emphasis on SLC15A1 (PEPT1), one of the solute carriers better studied amongst teleost fish because of its relevance in animal nutrition. We report on the operativity of the transporter, the molecular diversity, and multiplicity of structural-functional solutions of the teleost fish orthologs with respect to higher vertebrates, its relevance at the intersection of the alimentary and osmoregulative functions of the gut, its response under various physiological states and dietary solicitations, and its possible involvement in examples of total body plasticity, such as growth and compensatory growth. By a comparative approach, we also review the few studies in teleost fish on SLC15A2 (PEPT2), SLC15A4 (PHT1), and SLC15A3 (PHT2). By representing the contribution of teleost fish to the knowledge of the physiology of di/tripeptide transport and transporters, we aim to fill the gap between higher and lower vertebrates.