Enteral versus parenteral nutrition: effects on gastrointestinal function and metabolism

Energy endocrine physiology, pathophysiology, and nutrition of the foal

Most homeostatic systems in the equine neonate should be functional during the transition from intra- to extrauterine life to ensure survival during this critical period. Endocrine maturation in the equine fetus occurs at different stages, with a majority taking place a few days prior to parturition and continuing after birth. Cortisol and thyroid hormones are good examples of endocrine and tissue interdependency. Cortisol promotes skeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, thyroid gland, adrenomedullary, and pancreatic differentiation. Thyroid hormones are essential for cardiovascular, respiratory, neurologic, skeletal, adrenal, and pancreatic function. Hormonal imbalances at crucial stages of development or in response to disease can be detrimental to the newborn foal. Other endocrine factors, including growth hormone, glucagon, catecholamines, ghrelin, adipokines (adiponectin, leptin), and incretins, are equally important in energy homeostasis. This review provides information specific to nutrition and endocrine systems involved in energy homeostasis in foals, enhancing our understanding of equine neonatal physiology and pathophysiology and our ability to interpret clinical and laboratory findings, therefore improving therapies and prognosis.

Acute Pancreatitis: Exploring Nutrition Implications

Diseases of the pancreas vary by type, etiology, pathophysiology, and outcomes. One of the principle therapeutic considerations in all types of pancreatic diseases is nutrition. This review will consider acute pancreatitis (AP). Choice of patient, type and composition of nutrition, and timing of initiation will be discussed as components for achieving the maximum benefits of nutrition therapy in AP. The paradigm of nutrition therapy in AP has shifted to early enteral and/or oral nutrition based on disease severity to help mitigate the underlying inflammatory cascade of events leading to AP, beginning with anatomic and functional intestinal changes. Additionally, newer research investigating the inflammatory changes that instigate, maintain, and propagate AP will be discussed in terms of the nutrition effects on systemic inflammation. Nutrition therapy can mitigate the inflammatory changes in the intestinal tract and help with intestinal motility, bacterial overgrowth and translocation. It can help maintain intestinal bacterial composition and abundance similar to predisease levels. This review will also discuss the changes in the intestinal microbiome and effects of probiotics in AP.

Association between enteral macronutrient delivery and inflammatory response in critically ill children

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

An important goal of nutrition support in paediatric critical illness is minimising catabolism. While focussing on providing full energy requirements, macronutrient balance is often neglected. Studies suggest that there is interplay between nutrition and inflammation. We aimed to assess the amount of enteral macronutrients delivered compared to estimated requirements, and the association between delivered macronutrients and systemic inflammation in critically ill children.

METHOD

We prospectively evaluated energy and macronutrient intake in critically ill children who required at least 72 h of mechanical ventilation. Data on enteral energy and macronutrient intake was collected and expressed as a percentage of the estimated requirements. Circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA and association assessed with delivery of macronutrients from the previous 24 h.

RESULTS

A total of 87 children (0-16 years) were included in this study. By day 3 the median (IQR) intake of energy, fat, carbohydrate (CHO) and protein were 75% (50-103), 85% (43-120), 63% (42-102) and 45% (23-65) respectively. We have also shown that delivery of enteral fat and protein was associated with elevation in the levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).

CONCLUSION

The inflammatory response in critically ill children is influenced by the amount of enteral fat and protein delivered. Our data suggests that within the feed delivered, fat is often higher than protein and CHO. It is crucial to take into account the proportion of macronutrients required and not only aim to achieve the energy goal.

Enteral versus parenteral nutrition and enteral versus a combination of enteral and parenteral nutrition for adults in the intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

Critically ill people are at increased risk of malnutrition. Acute and chronic illness, trauma and inflammation induce stress-related catabolism, and drug-induced adverse effects may reduce appetite or increase nausea and vomiting. In addition, patient management in the intensive care unit (ICU) may also interrupt feeding routines. Methods to deliver nutritional requirements include provision of enteral nutrition (EN), or parenteral nutrition (PN), or a combination of both (EN and PN). However, each method is problematic. This review aimed to determine the route of delivery that optimizes uptake of nutrition.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effects of enteral versus parenteral methods of nutrition, and the effects of enteral versus a combination of enteral and parenteral methods of nutrition, among critically ill adults, in terms of mortality, number of ICU-free days up to day 28, and adverse events.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and Embase on 3 October 2017. We searched clinical trials registries and grey literature, and handsearched reference lists of included studies and related reviews.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomized controlled studies (RCTs) and quasi-randomized studies comparing EN given to adults in the ICU versus PN or versus EN and PN. We included participants that were trauma, emergency, and postsurgical patients in the ICU.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed studies for inclusion, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. We assessed the certainty of evidence with GRADE.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 25 studies with 8816 participants; 23 studies were RCTs and two were quasi-randomized studies. All included participants were critically ill in the ICU with a wide range of diagnoses; mechanical ventilation status between study participants varied. We identified 11 studies awaiting classification for which we were unable to assess eligibility, and two ongoing studies.Seventeen studies compared EN versus PN, six compared EN versus EN and PN, two were multi-arm studies comparing EN versus PN versus EN and PN. Most studies reported randomization and allocation concealment inadequately. Most studies reported no methods to blind personnel or outcome assessors to nutrition groups; one study used adequate methods to reduce risk of performance bias.Enteral nutrition versus parenteral nutritionWe found that one feeding route rather than the other (EN or PN) may make little or no difference to mortality in hospital (risk ratio (RR) 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.80 to 1.77; 361 participants; 6 studies; low-certainty evidence), or mortality within 30 days (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.13; 3148 participants; 11 studies; low-certainty evidence). It is uncertain whether one feeding route rather than the other reduces mortality within 90 days because the certainty of the evidence is very low (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.17; 2461 participants; 3 studies). One study reported mortality at one to four months and we did not combine this in the analysis; we reported this data as mortality within 180 days and it is uncertain whether EN or PN affects the number of deaths within 180 days because the certainty of the evidence is very low (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.04 to 2.97; 46 participants).No studies reported number of ICU-free days up to day 28, and one study reported number of ventilator-free days up to day 28 and it is uncertain whether one feeding route rather than the other reduces the number of ventilator-free days up to day 28 because the certainty of the evidence is very low (mean difference, inverse variance, 0.00, 95% CI -0.97 to 0.97; 2388 participants).We combined data for adverse events reported by more than one study. It is uncertain whether EN or PN affects aspiration because the certainty of the evidence is very low (RR 1.53, 95% CI 0.46 to 5.03; 2437 participants; 2 studies), and we found that one feeding route rather than the other may make little or no difference to pneumonia (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.48; 415 participants; 7 studies; low-certainty evidence). We found that EN may reduce sepsis (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.95; 361 participants; 7 studies; low-certainty evidence), and it is uncertain whether PN reduces vomiting because the certainty of the evidence is very low (RR 3.42, 95% CI 1.15 to 10.16; 2525 participants; 3 studies).Enteral nutrition versus enteral nutrition and parenteral nutritionWe found that one feeding regimen rather than another (EN or combined EN or PN) may make little or no difference to mortality in hospital (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.16; 5111 participants; 5 studies; low-certainty evidence), and at 90 days (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.18; 4760 participants; 2 studies; low-certainty evidence). It is uncertain whether combined EN and PN leads to fewer deaths at 30 days because the certainty of the evidence is very low (RR 1.64, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.54; 409 participants; 3 studies). It is uncertain whether one feeding regimen rather than another reduces mortality within 180 days because the certainty of the evidence is very low (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.55; 120 participants; 1 study).No studies reported number of ICU-free days or ventilator-free days up to day 28. It is uncertain whether either feeding method reduces pneumonia because the certainty of the evidence is very low (RR 1.40, 95% CI 0.91 to 2.15; 205 participants; 2 studies). No studies reported aspiration, sepsis, or vomiting.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found insufficient evidence to determine whether EN is better or worse than PN, or than combined EN and PN for mortality in hospital, at 90 days and at 180 days, and on the number of ventilator-free days and adverse events. We found fewer deaths at 30 days when studies gave combined EN and PN, and reduced sepsis for EN rather than PN. We found no studies that reported number of ICU-free days up to day 28. Certainty of the evidence for all outcomes is either low or very low. The 11 studies awaiting classification may alter the conclusions of the review once assessed.

Nutrition and Hyperglycemia Management in the Inpatient Setting (Meals on Demand, Parenteral, or Enteral Nutrition)

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The goal of this paper is to provide the latest evidence and expert recommendations for management of hospitalized patients with diabetes or hyperglycemia receiving enteral (EN), parenteral (PN) nutrition support or, those with unrestricted oral diet, consuming meals on demand.

RECENT FINDINGS

Patients with and without diabetes mellitus commonly develop hyperglycemia while receiving EN or PN support, placing them at increased risk of adverse outcomes, including in-hospital mortality. Very little new evidence is available in the form of randomized controlled trials (RCT) to guide the glycemic management of these patients. Reduction in the dextrose concentration within parenteral nutrition as well as selection of an enteral formula that diminishes the carbohydrate exposure to a patient receiving enteral nutrition are common strategies utilized in practice. No specific insulin regimen has been shown to be superior in the management of patients receiving EN or PN nutrition support. For those receiving oral nutrition, new challenges have been introduced with the most recent practice allowing patients to eat meals on demand, leading to extreme variability in carbohydrate exposure and risk of hypo and hyperglycemia. Synchronization of nutrition delivery with the astute use of intravenous or subcutaneous insulin therapy to match the physiologic action of insulin in patients receiving nutritional support should be implemented to improve glycemic control in hospitalized patients. Further RCTs are needed to evaluate glycemic and other clinical outcomes of patients receiving nutritional support. For patients eating meals on demand, development of hospital guidelines and policies are needed, ensuring optimization and coordination of meal insulin delivery in order to facilitate patient safety.

A Microbiologic Study of Enteral Feeding Hang Time in a Burn Hospital: Can Feeding Costs be Reduced Without Compromising Patient Safety?

BACKGROUND

Procedural changes for hospitalized patients must always balance safety with fiscal constraints. Microbiologic contamination of enteral feeding solutions has been previously associated with nosocomial infections. Formula manipulation and hang time contribute to microbial load, and there is considerable variation in hang time recommendations in the medical literature. With cost containment in mind, the purpose of this performance improvement study was to determine if an increase in hang time of a modular tube feeding product would increase microbial load or affect the nosocomial infection rate in pediatric burn patients.

METHODS

This biphasic trial initially evaluated the microbial load of the feeding after delivery of two 4-hour aliquots into a container using the same delivery set (total hang time of 8 hours; number of tests = 20). Second, once this feeding procedure was deemed microbiologically safe, tube feedings were administered to patients, and both microbial load and nosocomial infection rate were monitored for 1 year.

RESULTS

Contamination levels at the end of the 8-hour period using the same feeding set with 2 consecutive 4-hour feeding aliquots (number of tests = 38) were lower than standard recommendations. The hospital's nosocomial infection rate was not altered by this procedural change, and feeding-set expenses were reduced.

CONCLUSIONS

The hang time of our enteral feeding administration set can be increased safely from 4 hours to 8 hours, with the tube feeding preparation added as two 4-hour aliquots without a significant change in microbial load or nosocomial infection rate, thus promoting simultaneous fiscal responsibility and patient safety.

Nutritional support for critically ill children

BACKGROUND

Nutritional support in the critically ill child has not been well investigated and is a controversial topic within paediatric intensive care. There are no clear guidelines as to the best form or timing of nutrition in critically ill infants and children. This is an update of a review that was originally published in 2009. .

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this review was to assess the impact of enteral and parenteral nutrition given in the first week of illness on clinically important outcomes in critically ill children. There were two primary hypotheses:1. the mortality rate of critically ill children fed enterally or parenterally is different to that of children who are given no nutrition;2. the mortality rate of critically ill children fed enterally is different to that of children fed parenterally.We planned to conduct subgroup analyses, pending available data, to examine whether the treatment effect was altered by:a. age (infants less than one year versus children greater than or equal to one year old);b. type of patient (medical, where purpose of admission to intensive care unit (ICU) is for medical illness (without surgical intervention immediately prior to admission), versus surgical, where purpose of admission to ICU is for postoperative care or care after trauma).We also proposed the following secondary hypotheses (a priori), pending other clinical trials becoming available, to examine nutrition more distinctly:3. the mortality rate is different in children who are given enteral nutrition alone versus enteral and parenteral combined;4. the mortality rate is different in children who are given both enteral feeds and parenteral nutrition versus no nutrition.

SEARCH METHODS

In this updated review we searched: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL 2016, Issue 2); Ovid MEDLINE (1966 to February 2016); Ovid EMBASE (1988 to February 2016); OVID Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews; ISI Web of Science - Science Citation Index Expanded (1965 to February 2016); WebSPIRS Biological Abstracts (1969 to February 2016); and WebSPIRS CAB Abstracts (1972 to February 2016). We also searched trial registries, reviewed reference lists of all potentially relevant studies, handsearched relevant conference proceedings, and contacted experts in the area and manufacturers of enteral and parenteral nutrition products. We did not limit the search by language or publication status.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included studies if they were randomized controlled trials; involved paediatric patients, aged one day to 18 years of age, who were cared for in a paediatric intensive care unit setting (PICU) and had received nutrition within the first seven days of admission; and reported data for at least one of the pre-specified outcomes (30-day or PICU mortality; length of stay in PICU or hospital; number of ventilator days; and morbid complications, such as nosocomial infections). We excluded studies if they only reported nutritional outcomes, quality of life assessments, or economic implications. Furthermore, we did not address other areas of paediatric nutrition, such as immunonutrition and different routes of delivering enteral nutrition, in this review.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently screened the searches, applied the inclusion criteria, and performed 'Risk of bias' assessments. We resolved discrepancies through discussion and consensus. One author extracted data and a second checked data for accuracy and completeness. We graded the evidence based on the following domains: study limitations, consistency of effect, imprecision, indirectness, and publication bias.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified only one trial as relevant. Seventy-seven children in intensive care with burns involving more than 25% of the total body surface area were randomized to either enteral nutrition within 24 hours or after at least 48 hours. No statistically significant differences were observed for mortality, sepsis, ventilator days, length of stay, unexpected adverse events, resting energy expenditure, nitrogen balance, or albumin levels. We assessed the trial as having unclear risk of bias. We consider the quality of the evidence to be very low due to there being only one small trial. In the most recent search update we identified a protocol for a relevant randomized controlled trial examining the impact of withholding early parenteral nutrition completing enteral nutrition in pediatric critically ill patients; no results have been published.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There was only one randomized trial relevant to the review question. Research is urgently needed to identify best practices regarding the timing and forms of nutrition for critically ill infants and children.

Effects of soy protein and calcium levels on mineral bioaccessibility and protein digestibility from enteral formulas

Enteral formulas (EF) are complex food systems which have all the nutrients in their matrix for the complete human nourishment. However, there are components in EF which can interact with minerals, reducing their absorption, and thereof the EF nutritional quality. The effect of soy protein (SP) and Ca content on Fe, Zn, and Ca bioaccessibility and protein digestibility (%DP) was assessed using a response surface design in EF. Tested SP levels were 2.5-5.0 g/100 mL of total protein. Ca levels were adjusted with Ca citrate within a range between 50 and 100 mg/100 mL. SP content negatively influenced %DP and Fe, Zn and Ca bioaccessibility. As SP content increased, mineral bioaccessibility and %DP decreased, probably due to the increased levels of phytic acid and trypsin inhibitors from SP. Ca content only affected %DCa, which had a direct relationship with Ca levels, while did not affect Fe and Zn bioaccessibility or %DP. Since Ca citrate did not impair Fe and Zn bioaccessibility, it could be an appropriate Ca source for EF fortification.

Food matrix and cooking process affect mineral bioaccessibility of enteral nutrition formulas

BACKGROUND

When enteral formulas (EF) are administered orally as a supplement to the normal diet, they are often mixed with conventional foods or included in recipes in order to seek new flavors and textures and avoid monotony. The aims of this work were to study the bioaccessibility of Fe, Zn and Ca from commercial EF and the impact upon their incorporation into sweet preparations. Twenty commercial EF, before and after inclusion in sweet food (rice pudding, RP; banana smoothie, BS; tea, T; chocolate dessert, CD) were evaluated regarding Fe, Zn and Ca dialyzability (%DFe , %DZn , %DCa ) as an estimator of mineral bioaccessibility.

RESULTS

Fe, Zn and Ca dialyzability from EF was variable and generally low. Heating during EF-sweet food preparation (T and CD) lowered values to 44.1 %DFe , possibly due to degradation of vitamin C, and 52.7 %DZn and 25.3 %DCa , due to the interaction with food components.

CONCLUSION

EF and EF-sweet foods did not represent a good supply of Fe, Zn and Ca as recommended. This study demonstrated how the bioaccessibility of these minerals is affected by the food matrix in which EF is included as well as heating during food preparation.

Nutritional support for patients sustaining traumatic brain injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies

Background

In traumatic brain injury (TBI), the appropriate timing and route of feeding, and the efficacy of immune-enhancing formulae have not been well established. We performed this meta-analysis aiming to compare the effects of different nutritional support modalities on clinical outcomes of TBI patients.

Methods

We systematically searched Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library until October, 2012. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized prospective studies (NPSs) that compared the effects of different routes, timings, or formulae of feeding on outcomes in TBI patients were selected. The primary outcomes included mortality and poor outcome. The secondary outcomes included the length of hospital stay, the length of ventilation days, and the rate of infectious or feeding-related complications.

Findings

13 RCTs and 3 NPSs were included. The pooled data demonstrated that, compared with delayed feeding, early feeding was associated with a significant reduction in the rate of mortality (relative risk [RR] = 0.35; 95% CI, 0.24–0.50), poor outcome (RR = 0.70; 95% CI, 0.54–0.91), and infectious complications (RR = 0.77; 95% CI, 0.59–0.99). Compared with enteral nutrition, parenteral nutrition showed a slight trend of reduction in the rate of mortality (RR = 0.61; 95% CI, 0.34–1.09), poor outcome (RR = 0.73; 95% CI, 0.51–1.04), and infectious complications (RR = 0.89; 95% CI, 0.66–1.22), whereas without statistical significances. The immune-enhancing formula was associated with a significant reduction in infection rate compared with the standard formula (RR = 0.54; 95% CI, 0.35–0.82). Small-bowel feeding was found to be with a decreasing rate of pneumonia compared with nasogastric feeding (RR = 0.41; 95% CI, 0.22–0.76).

Conclusion

After TBI, early initiation of nutrition is recommended. It appears that parenteral nutrition is superior to enteral nutrition in improving outcomes. Our results lend support to the use of small-bowel feeding and immune-enhancing formulae in reducing infectious complications.

Interventions for dysphagia and nutritional support in acute and subacute stroke

BACKGROUND

Dysphagia (swallowing problems) are common after stroke and can cause chest infection and malnutrition. Dysphagic, and malnourished, stroke patients have a poorer outcome.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of interventions for the treatment of dysphagia (swallowing therapy), and nutritional and fluid supplementation, in patients with acute and subacute (within six months from onset) stroke.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (February 2012), MEDLINE (1966 to July 2011), EMBASE (1980 to July 2011), CINAHL (1982 to July 2011) and Conference Proceedings Citation Index- Science (CPCI-S) (1990 to July 2011). We also searched the reference lists of relevant trials and review articles, searched Current Controlled Trials and contacted researchers (July 2011). For the previous version of this review we contacted the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and equipment manufacturers.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in dysphagic stroke patients, and nutritional supplementation in all stroke patients, where the stroke occurred within six months of enrolment.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently applied the inclusion criteria, assessed trial quality, and extracted data, and resolved any disagreements through discussion with a third review author. We used random-effects models to calculate odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), and mean differences (MD). The primary outcome was functional outcome (death or dependency, or death or disability) at the end of the trial.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 33 studies involving 6779 participants.Swallowing therapy: acupuncture, drug therapy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, pharyngeal electrical stimulation, physical stimulation (thermal, tactile), transcranial direct current stimulation, and transcranial magnetic stimulation each had no significant effect on case fatality or combined death or dependency. Dysphagia at end-of-trial was reduced by acupuncture (number of studies (t) = 4, numbers of participants (n) = 256; OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.13 to 0.46; P < 0.0001; I(2) = 0%) and behavioural interventions (t = 5; n = 423; OR 0.52; 95% CI 0.30 to 0.88; P = 0.01; I(2) = 22%). Route of feeding: percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding did not differ for case fatality or the composite outcome of death or dependency, but PEG was associated with fewer treatment failures (t = 3; n = 72; OR 0.09; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.51; P = 0.007; I(2) = 0%) and gastrointestinal bleeding (t = 1; n = 321; OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.09 to 0.69; P = 0.007), and higher feed delivery (t = 1; n = 30; MD 22.00; 95% CI 16.15 to 27.85; P < 0.00001) and albumin concentration (t = 3; n = 63; MD 4.92 g/L; 95% CI 0.19 to 9.65; P = 0.04; I(2) = 58%). Although looped NGT versus conventional NGT feeding did not differ for end-of-trial case fatality or death or dependency, feed delivery was higher with looped NGT (t = 1; n = 104; MD 18.00%; 95% CI 6.66 to 29.34; P = 0.002). Timing of feeding: there was no difference for case fatality, or death or dependency, with early feeding as compared to late feeding. Fluid supplementation: there was no difference for case fatality, or death or dependency, with fluid supplementation. Nutritional supplementation: there was no difference for case fatality, or death or dependency, with nutritional supplementation. However, nutritional supplementation was associated with reduced pressure sores (t = 2; n = 4125; OR 0.56; 95% CI 0.32 to 0.96; P = 0.03; I(2) = 0%), and, by definition, increased energy intake (t = 3; n = 174; MD 430.18 kcal/day; 95% CI 141.61 to 718.75; P = 0.003; I(2) = 91%) and protein intake (t = 3; n = 174; MD 17.28 g/day; 95% CI 1.99 to 32.56; P = 0.03; I(2) = 92%).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There remains insufficient data on the effect of swallowing therapy, feeding, and nutritional and fluid supplementation on functional outcome and death in dysphagic patients with acute or subacute stroke. Behavioural interventions and acupuncture reduced dysphagia, and pharyngeal electrical stimulation reduced pharyngeal transit time. Compared with NGT feeding, PEG reduced treatment failures and gastrointestinal bleeding, and had higher feed delivery and albumin concentration. Nutritional supplementation was associated with reduced pressure sores, and increased energy and protein intake.

The prognostic significance of the timing of total enteral feeding in traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND

To study the effect of timing of total enteral feeding on various nutritional parameters and neurological outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODS

One hundred and fourteen patients, in the age group of 20-60 years, admitted within 24 h of TBI with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) 4-8 were enrolled for the study. Nineteen patients who had expired before the attainment of total enteral feeding were excluded from the analysis. Total enteral feeding was attained before 3 days, 4-7 days, and after 7 days in 12, 52, and 31 patients, respectively, depending on gastric tolerance. They were prospectively assessed for various markers of nutrition and outcome was assessed at 3 and 6 months.

RESULTS

Prospective assessment of 67 hospitalized patients at 3 weeks revealed significant differences in anthropometric measurements, total protein, albumin levels, clinical features of malnutrition, and mortality among the three groups. 80% of those fed before 3 days had favorable outcome at 3 months compared to 43% among those fed later. The odds ratio (OR) was 5.29 (95% CI 1.03-27.03) and P value was 0.04. The difference between those fed before 3 days and 4-7 days was not significant at 6 months even though patients fed before 7 days had still significantly higher favorable outcome compared to those fed after 7 days (OR 7.69, P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis for unfavorable outcome showed significance of P = 0.03 for feeding after 3 days and P = 0.01 for feeding after 7 days.

CONCLUSIONS

In severe TBI, unfavorable outcome was significantly associated with attainment of total enteral feeding after 3 days and more so after 7 days following injury.

Early enteral nutrition and clinical outcomes of severe traumatic brain injury patients in acute stage: a multi-center cohort study

Guidelines for patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) published in 2007 recommend providing early nutrition after trauma. Early enteral nutrition (EN) started within 48 h post-injury reduces clinical malnutrition, prevents bacterial translocation from the gastrointestinal tract, and improves outcome in sTBI patients sustaining hypermetabolism and hypercatabolism. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of early EN support on survival rate, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, and clinical outcome of sTBI patients. Medical records of sTBI patients with GCS scores 4-8 were recruited from 18 hospitals in Taiwan, excluding patients with GCS scores ≤3. During 2002-2010, data from 145 EN patients receiving appropriate calories and nutrients within 48 h post-trauma were collected and compared with 152 non-EN controls matched for gender, age, body weight, initial GCS score, and operative status. The EN patients had a greater survival rate and GCS score on the 7th day in the intensive care unit (ICU), and a better outcome at 1 month post-injury. After adjusting for age, gender, initial GCS score, and recruitment period, the non-EN patients had a hazard ratio of 14.63 (95% CI 8.58-24.91) compared with EN patients. The GCS score during the first 7 ICU days was significantly improved among EN patients with GCS scores of 6-8 compared with EN patients with GCS scores of 4-5 and non-EN patients with GCS scores of 6-8. This finding demonstrates that EN within 48 h post-injury is associated with better survival, GCS recovery, and outcome among sTBI patients, particularly in those with a GCS score of 6-8.

Military nutrition: maintaining health and rebuilding injured tissue

Food and nutrition are fundamental to military capability. Historical examples demonstrate that a failure to supply adequate nutrition to armies inevitably leads to disaster; however, innovative measures to overcome difficulties in feeding reap benefits, and save lives. In barracks, UK Armed Forces are currently fed according to the relatively new Pay As You Dine policy, which has attracted criticism from some quarters. The recently introduced Multi-Climate Ration has been developed specifically to deal with issues arising from Iraq and the current conflict in Afghanistan. Severely wounded military personnel are likely to lose a significant amount of their muscle mass, in spite of the best medical care. Nutritional support is unable to prevent this, but can ameliorate the effects of the catabolic process. Measuring and quantifying nutritional status during critical illness is difficult. A consensus is beginning to emerge from studies investigating the effects of nutritional interventions on how, what and when to feed patients with critical illness. The Ministry of Defence is currently undertaking research to address specific concerns related to nutrition as well as seeking to promote healthy eating in military personnel.

A clinical and economic evaluation of enteral nutrition

MOTIVATION

The American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) guidelines advise use of enteral nutrition (EN) for critically ill hospital patients requiring nutritional support, but no studies have comprehensively estimated economic benefits from adherence to this recommendation.

METHODS

We systematically reviewed studies comparing EN to alternative nutritional support therapies among adult, critically ill patients. We reviewed 1200 abstracts, selected 243 for further review, and included 48 studies in our analysis. Most retained studies compared EN and parenteral nutrition (PN). Using meta-analysis, we estimated the absolute impact of EN on adverse event risk and its impact on treatment duration and length of stay. These estimates were converted to population economic impacts by assuming 10% of PN patients are suitable candidates for EN.

RESULTS

Compared to PN, EN reduces the risk of major, potentially life-threatening infections (RR = 0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.44 to 0.77), the risk of major, potentially life-threatening non-infection events (RR = 0.73, CI 0.59 to 0.91), and suggests a reduction in mortality, although this result did not achieve statistical significance (RR = 0.70, CI 0.45 to 1.09). EN also reduces inpatient length of stay, time in the ICU, and length of nutritional treatment. Compared to PN, EN savings from reduced adverse event risks average nearly $1500 per patient; savings from reduced hospital length of stay amount to nearly $2500 per patient. Shifting 10% of parenterally treated adult patients in the U.S. to EN would save $35 million annually due to reduced adverse events and another $57 million due to shorter hospital stays.

CONCLUSION

The evidence of both clinical and economic gains from EN is consistent with ASPEN guidelines recommending use of EN in critically ill hospital patients when possible.

[Probiotics and prebiotics in primary care for colon cancer]

CONTEXT

Colon neoplasias are presently the third most common cancer type. Its treatment is still associated with high risk of complications, thus emphasizing the need to design new treatment strategies. The ingestion of probiotics and prebiotics, or the combination of both (symbiotics), represents a new therapeutic choice. In front of the importance among qualitative and quantitative balance in intestinal microbiota for human's health and with the purpose to evaluate the application of probiotics and prebiotics, this study tries to approach the importance of these in both the prevention and treatment of colon cancer.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A study was conducted on scientific databases (Medline, Lilacs, PubMed, Ovid, SciELO), and a review was made of recent scientific articles in the literature, from 2003 to 2008. Additional informations were taken from sites in the internet.

RESULTS

Studies point out the inverse relation between the consumption of probiotics and prebiotics in colon cancer diagnosis through various action mechanisms, including: immune response stimulation, reduction in inflammation, for directly inhibiting the formation of tumor cells and for converting pre-carcinogenic substances into carcinogenic ones.

CONCLUSION

Through this literature review, it was possible to achieve positive answers as regards the use of probiotics and prebiotics in carcinogenesis, which can be adequately recommended.

Comparison of complications attributable to enteral and parenteral nutrition in predicted severe acute pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Enteral nutrition (EN) reduces infectious complications and mortality compared with parenteral nutrition (PN) in patients with predicted severe acute pancreatitis. However, to date the complications attributable to the administration of EN and PN in this patient group have not been comprehensively studied. The aim of the study was to systematically review the complications related to the use of nutrition in patients with predicted severe acute pancreatitis receiving EN v. PN. The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and Scopus were searched. Randomised controlled trials (RCT) of EN v. PN in predicted severe acute pancreatitis were selected. Pooled estimates of complications were expressed as OR with corresponding 95 % CI. Data from five RCT were meta-analysed. Diarrhoea occurred in six of ninety-two (7 %) patients receiving PN and twenty-four of eighty-two (29 %) patients receiving EN (OR 0.20; 95 % CI 0.09, 0.43; P < 0.001). Hyperglycaemia developed in twenty-one of ninety-two (23 %) patients receiving PN and nine of eighty-two (11 %) receiving EN (OR 2.59; 95 % CI 1.13, 5.94; P = 0.03). Given a significant reduction in infectious complications and mortality associated with the use of EN over PN that has been consistently demonstrated in previous studies, the former should be the treatment of choice in acute pancreatitis. Further clinical studies should investigate the strategies to mitigate the complications of enteral tube feeding in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Neonatology/Paediatrics - Guidelines on Parenteral Nutrition, Chapter 13

There are special challenges in implementing parenteral nutrition (PN) in paediatric patients, which arises from the wide range of patients, ranging from extremely premature infants up to teenagers weighing up to and over 100 kg, and their varying substrate requirements. Age and maturity-related changes of the metabolism and fluid and nutrient requirements must be taken into consideration along with the clinical situation during which PN is applied. The indication, the procedure as well as the intake of fluid and substrates are very different to that known in PN-practice in adult patients, e.g. the fluid, nutrient and energy needs of premature infants and newborns per kg body weight are markedly higher than of older paediatric and adult patients. Premature infants <35 weeks of pregnancy and most sick term infants usually require full or partial PN. In neonates the actual amount of PN administered must be calculated (not estimated). Enteral nutrition should be gradually introduced and should replace PN as quickly as possible in order to minimise any side-effects from exposure to PN. Inadequate substrate intake in early infancy can cause long-term detrimental effects in terms of metabolic programming of the risk of illness in later life. If energy and nutrient demands in children and adolescents cannot be met through enteral nutrition, partial or total PN should be considered within 7 days or less depending on the nutritional state and clinical conditions.

The influence of severe malnutrition on rehabilitation in patients with severe head injury

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the consequences of severe malnutrition in patients with severe head injury during rehabilitation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The data were collected from medical records of patients admitted to the neurorehabilitation unit over the last 5 years. Twenty of 1850 patients had severe malnutrition, the body mass index (BMI) of these patients were under 15 (10-14) kg/m2. The majority of patients suffered traumatic brain damage (17/20). Thirteen patients arrived with percutaneous endoscopic gastrotomy /PEG, three nasogastric tube in 3 cases we placed PEG. The nutritional strategy included a high-calorie diet, by means of bolus feeding five times during the day, continuous feeding during the night; the daily intake target being more than 2500 kcal.

RESULTS

During rehabilitation treatment the majority of patients (13/20) revealed weight gain with a rate of 0.5-2 kg/week. The following complications were treated during the rehabilitation phase: 20 pressure sores, 20 contractures, 11 urinal infections, 6 cases of pneumonia, 2 of purulent bronchitis, 6 of sepsis, 1 penoscrotal abscess, epidydymitis, and 1 case of purulent arthritis. The patients required total assistance at the time of admission. At discharge 10 patients remained completely dependent, 6 patients needed minimal assistance, and 4 patients could perform daily activities independently. The average length of stay in our unit was 78/6-150/days.

CONCLUSION

Patients with head injury suffering from severe malnutrition exhibit serious complications at the time of admission as well as during rehabilitation treatment. The patients were very difficult to mobilize. The length of stay at the rehabilitation unit was 28 days longer when complicated by malnutrition, than head injuries showing normal nutritional status. These findings underline the importance of adequate nutrition in patients with head injury in both the acute ward and in the rehabilitation unit.

Nutritional support for critically ill children

BACKGROUND

Nutritional support in the critically ill child has not been well investigated and is a controversial topic within paediatric intensive care. There are no clear guidelines as to the best form or timing of nutrition in critically ill infants and children.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the impact of enteral and total parenteral nutrition on clinically important outcomes for critically ill children.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2007, Issue 1); Ovid MEDLINE (1966 to February 2007); Ovid EMBASE (1988 to February 2007); OVID Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews; ISI Web of Science - Science Citation Index Expanded (1965 to February 2007); WebSPIRS Biological Abstracts (1969 to February 2007); and WebSPIRS CAB Abstracts (1972 to February 2007). We also searched trial registries; reviewed reference lists of all potentially relevant studies; handsearched relevant conference proceedings; and contacted experts in the area and manufacturers of enteral and parenteral nutrition products. We did not limit the search by language or publication status.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included studies if they were randomized controlled trials; involved paediatric patients, aged one day to 18 years of age, cared for in a paediatric intensive care unit setting (PICU) and received nutrition within the first seven days of admission; and reported data for at least one of the pre-specified outcomes (30-day or PICU mortality; length of stay in PICU or hospital; number of ventilator days; and morbid complications, such as nosocomial infections). We excluded studies if they only reported nutritional outcomes, quality of life assessments, or economic implications. Furthermore, other areas of paediatric nutrition, such as immunonutrition and different routes of delivering enteral nutrition, were not addressed in this review.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently screened searches, applied inclusion criteria, and performed quality assessments. We resolved discrepancies through discussion and consensus. One author extracted data and a second checked data for accuracy and completeness.

MAIN RESULTS

Only one trial was identified as relevant. Seventy-seven children in intensive care with burns involving > 25% of the total body surface area were randomized to either enteral nutrition within 24 hours or after at least 48 hours. No statistically significant differences were observed for mortality, sepsis, ventilator days, length of stay, unexpected adverse events, resting energy expenditure, nitrogen balance, or albumin levels. The trial was assessed as of low methodological quality (based on the Jadad scale) with an unclear risk of bias.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There was only one randomized trial relevant to the review question. Research is urgently needed to identify best practices regarding the timing and forms of nutrition for critically ill infants and children.

Standard and immunomodulating enteral nutrition in patients after extended gastrointestinal surgery--a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND & AIM

The immunomodulating enteral diets are intended to reduce the incidence of postoperative complications in surgical patients. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical effect of such nutrition.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between June 2004 and September 2007 196 well-nourished patients undergoing resection for pancreatic and gastric cancer were randomized in double-blind manner to receive postoperative enteral nutrition with immunostimulating diet (IMEN group) or standard oligopeptic diet (SEN group). Outcome measures were: number and type of complications, length of hospital stay, mortality, treatment tolerance, liver and kidney function.

RESULTS

One hundred and ninety six patients were initially enrolled, finally 183 patients (91 SEN, 92 IMEN group; 69 F, 114 M, median age 61.2) were analyzed. Median postoperative hospital stay was 12.4 days (SD 5.9) in SEN and 12.9 days (SD 8.0) in IMEN group (p=0.42). Complications were observed in 21 patients (23.1%) in SEN and 23 (25.2%) in IMEN group (p>0.05). Four (4.4%) patients in SEN group and 4 (4.4%) in IMEN had surgical complications (p>0.05). There were no differences in liver and kidney function, visceral protein turnover and treatment tolerance.

CONCLUSION

Results of our study showed no benefit of immunomodulating enteral nutrition over standard enteral nutrition in patients after major gastrointestinal surgery. The Trial was registered in Clinical Trials Database--number: NCT00576940.

Nutrition support of the traumatically injured warfighter

Major trauma induces metabolic alterations that contribute to the systemic immune suppression in severely injured patients and increase the risk of infection and posttraumatic organ failure. Nutrition modulation of cellular processes has evolved into a high-priority therapy, backed by substantial scientific evidence. The appropriate selection, timing, and dose of nutrients required for metabolic resuscitation must be individualized and goal directed. Ideally, the nutritional interventions for warfighters will be developed strategically based on the extent of injuries and underlying deficiencies and will be designed to provide the nutrients necessary to balance hypermetabolic processes, heal wounds, and promote optimal recovery.

An evaluation of the safety and efficacy of an anti-inflammatory, pulmonary enteral formula in the treatment of pediatric burn patients with respiratory failure

Respiratory failure is associated with a high mortality rate in burned children. Recently, a specialized pulmonary enteral formula (SPEF) was commercially introduced as an adjunct intervention in acute lung injury management. SPEF contains condition-specific nutrients to modulate the inflammatory response. The study examined SPEF impact in critically ill, pediatric burn patients with respiratory failure. Medical records of acute burn patients admitted December 1997 to October 2006 were reviewed for SPEF treatment. Respiratory and renal indices were compared on the first and final days of SPEF use. Nineteen patients with respiratory failure received SPEF for a mean of 10.8 +/- 0.9 days during their acute burn course. Mean age was 5.3 +/- 1.5 years. Mean total body surface area burn was 44.3 +/- 5.4% with 32.5 +/- 6.4% full thickness. Patients were admitted 2.3 +/- 0.9 days postburn. Significant improvements in peak pressure, PEEP, FiO2, P:F ratio, Pco2, Po2, and ETco2 were noted. Seventeen of the 19 patients survived despite the fact that 9 of the 19 patients developed severe barotrauma requiring multiple tube thoracotomies, and all 19 had extremely poor prognoses at SPEF initiation. Adult SPEF formula for critically ill, pediatric burn patients with respiratory failure is safe and well tolerated. SPEF seems to facilitate recovery from acute lung injury as evidenced by improvements in oxygenation and pulmonary compliance.

Nasojejunal tube positioning with fluoroscopic guidance

Az enteralis táplálás indikációs köre egyre tágul, és az ily módon növekvő beteganyag ellátása egyre inkább a mindennapos gyakorlat részévé válik. Az enteralis táplálás előnyösebb az intravénásnál, ezen belül is a jejunális táplálás a legelfogadottabb, de ehhez nasojejunalis szondalevezetés szükséges. Ez lehetséges vakon, képerősítő, endoszkóp vagy ultrahang segítségével. A szerzők saját gyakorlatuk alapján a röntgenkép-erősítős technikát ismertetik, ez nem igényel speciális jártasságot, és bármely fekvőbeteg-intézményben elvégezhető. Gyors, olcsó, és kis megterhelést jelent a betegnek, nincs szükség képzett endoszkópos szakemberre, premedikációra. Hátránya, hogy kizárólag éber, kielégítő spontán légzésű, kooperáló betegnél alkalmazható, valamint röntgensugár-terheléssel jár. A szerzők az elmúlt 3 év alatt 34 esetben alkalmazták a módszert akut pancreatitises betegeiknél, súlyos szövődmények nélkül. A költséghatékonysági elveket is figyelembe véve, a fekvőbeteg-ellátás minden szintjén biztonságos módszerként ajánlják ezt az eljárást.

Influence of enteral versus parenteral nutrition on blood glucose control in acute pancreatitis: a systematic review

BACKGROUND & AIMS

There is increasing evidence that tight glucose control may reduce infectious complications and mortality in surgical critically ill patients. However, data regarding the influence of artificial nutrition on glycemic homeostasis are limited. Our aim was to review all randomized controlled trials on enteral versus parenteral nutrition in acute pancreatitis to determine whether the route of feeding can affect the glucose control in the setting of this disease.

METHODS

Relevant literature cited in three electronic databases (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE and Medline) were systematically reviewed. A meta-analysis was carried out using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Thirteen randomized controlled trials on enteral versus parenteral nutrition in acute pancreatitis were identified. Seven studies were excluded from analysis, leaving 6 trials in which a total of 264 non-diabetic patients with acute pancreatitis were treated. Intake of nutrients did not differ among enterally and parenterally fed patients in 5 of 6 randomized controlled trials. Enteral nutrition reduced the risk of hyperglycemia (relative risk 0.53; 95% confidence interval 0.29-0.98; p = 0.04) and insulin requirement (relative risk 0.41; 95% confidence interval 0.24-0.70; p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Enteral nutrition, when compared with parenteral nutrition, is associated with better blood glucose control in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Do Data Support Nutrition Support? Part I: Intravenous Nutrition

Intravenous (parenteral) nutrition has been advocated widely as adjunctive care in patients with a variety of underlying diseases. However, the enthusiasm for this therapeutic intervention was based largely on expert opinion. Because the best way to assess the efficacy of any treatment is to test it in a randomized controlled trial, this review will focus on data that was derived from such studies. Using established search strategies, randomized controlled trials were sought that compared one of two forms of intravenous nutrition: parenteral nutrition (nitrogen and >or=10 kcal/kg/day of non-protein calories for >or=5 days) or protein-sparing therapy (nitrogen and fewer non-protein calories) with no type of artificial nutrition beyond regular food and/or standard (5%) dextrose. The randomized controlled trials were stratified by the underlying disease state. The clinical outcomes of interest were mortality, morbidity (total/infectious complications), and/or duration of hospitalization. More than 100 randomized controlled trials failed for the most part to demonstrate that intravenous nutrition had any effect on clinical outcome. There were a few exceptions. In patients undergoing attempted curative surgery for upper gastrointestinal cancer, the use of preoperative parenteral nutrition seemed to reduce the incidence of major postoperative complications. However, this benefit was only found in low-quality randomized controlled trials. Findings conflict regarding the use of parenteral nutrition in patients with acute pancreatitis or undergoing bone marrow transplantation. Parenteral nutrition was harmful when provided to patients undergoing radiation or chemotherapy for cancer. Although no randomized controlled trials exist, it is assumed that parenteral nutrition is useful in patients with an inadequate gastrointestinal tract ("short gut"). Thus, for the most part, randomized controlled trials comparing intravenous nutrition to no artificial nutrition have not shown that this medical intervention is of benefit.

The effect of metoclopramide on gastric emptying in traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE

Gastric paresis in traumatic brain injury (TBI) hinders the effectiveness of enteral support in this patient group. In this study we have investigated the effect of metoclopramide on gastric emptying in TBI patients.

METHOD

In this prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind study, 19 TBI patients with Glasgow Coma Scale scores of 3-11 were included. In all patients, enteral nutrition was commenced with a nasogastric feeding tube within 48 hours of trauma. Patients were randomized into two groups. In the metoclopramide (M) group, 10 mg metoclopramide was delivered intravenously three times daily for 5 days. In the control (C) group, an equal volume of saline was administered. Besides demographics, gastric emptying according to a paracetamol absorption test at days 0 and 5, time to reach target nutritional requirements, gastric residues, intolerance to feeding, nutritional complications, and clinical outcomes were recorded for each patient.

RESULTS

The gastric residue rates were 2.7+/-7.4 mL and 8.1+/-17.7 mL per 100 patient days for groups C and M respectively (p=0.408). Similarly, feeding intolerance and complication rates did not significantly differ between groups C and M, (respectively p=0.543 and 0.930). Gastric emptying parameters also were similar between the study groups.

CONCLUSION

We were unable to document any advantage to using metoclopramide in TBI patients. Simple intragastric enteral feeding with close monitoring of the possible complications seems to be sufficient with acceptable morbidity rates.

Does enteral nutrition affect clinical outcome? A systematic review of the randomized trials

BACKGROUND

Both parenteral nutrition (PN) and enteral nutrition (EN) are widely advocated as adjunctive care in patients with various diseases. A systematic review of 82 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of PN published in 2001 found little, if any, effect on mortality, morbidity, or duration of hospital stay; in some situations, PN increased infectious complication rates.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to assess the effect of EN or volitional nutrition support (VNS) in individual disease states from available RCTs.

DESIGN

We conducted a systematic review. RCTs comparing EN or VNS with untreated controls, or comparing EN with PN, were identified and separated according to the underlying disease state. Meta-analysis was performed when at least three RCTs provided data. The evidence from the RCTs was summarized into one of five grades. A or B, respectively, indicated the presence of strong or weak (low-quality RCTs) evidence supporting the use of the intervention. C indicated a lack of adequate evidence to make any decision about efficacy. D indicated that limited data could not support the intervention. E indicated either that strong data found no effect, or that either strong or weak data suggested that the intervention caused harm.

PATIENTS AND SETTINGS

RCTs could include either hospitalized or nonhospitalized patients. The EN or VNS had to be provided as part of a treatment plan for an underlying disease process.

INTERVENTIONS

The RCT had to compare recipients of either EN or VNS with controls not receiving any type of artificial nutrition or had to compare recipients of EN with recipients of PN.

OUTCOME MEASURES

These were mortality, morbidity (disease specific), duration of hospitalization, cost, or interventional complications. SUMMARY OF GRADING: A: No indication was identified. B: EN or VNS in the perioperative patient or in patients with chronic liver disease; EN in critically ill patients or low birth weight infants (trophic feeding); VNS in malnourished geriatric patients. (The low-quality trials found a significant difference in survival favoring the VNS recipients in the malnourished geriatric patient trials; two high-quality trials found nonsignificant differences that favored VNS as well.) C: EN or VNS in liver transplantation, cystic fibrosis, renal failure, pediatric conditions other than low birth weight infants, well-nourished geriatric patients, nonstroke neurologic conditions, AIDS; EN in acute pancreatitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, nonmalnourished geriatric patients; VNS in inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, cardiac disease, pregnancy, allergic patients, preoperative bowel preparation. D: EN or VNS in patients receiving nonsurgical cancer treatment or in patients with hip fractures; EN in patients with inflammatory bowel disease; VNS in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. E: EN in the first week in dysphagic, or VNS at any time in nondysphagic, stroke patients who are not malnourished; dysphagia persisting for weeks will presumably ultimately require EN.

CONCLUSIONS

There is strong evidence for not using EN in the first week in dysphagic, and not using VNS at all in nondysphagic, stroke patients who are not malnourished. There is reasonable evidence for using VNS in malnourished geriatric patients. The recommendations to consider EN/VNS in perioperative/liver/critically ill/low birth weight patients are limited by the low quality of the RCTs. No evidence could be identified to justify the use of EN/VNS in other disease states.

Metabolism and nutrition in patients with moderate and severe traumatic brain injury: A systematic review

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

To examine the evidence on the metabolic state and nutritional treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

RESEARCH DESIGN

A systematic review of the literature.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

From 1547 citations, 232 articles were identified and retrieved for text screening. Thirty-six studies fulfilled the criteria and 30 were accepted for data extraction.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

Variations in measurement methods and definitions of metabolic abnormalities hampered comparison of studies. However, consistent data demonstrated increased metabolic rate (96-160% of the predicted values), of hypercatabolism (-3 to -16 g N per day) and of upper gastrointestinal intolerance in the majority of the patients during the first 2 weeks after injury. Data also indicated a tendency towards less morbidity and mortality in early fed patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The impact of timing, content and ways of administration of nutritional support on neurological outcome after TBI remains to be demonstrated.

Nutritional support for head-injured patients

BACKGROUND

Head injury increases the body's metabolic responses, and therefore nutritional demands. Provision of an adequate supply of nutrients is associated with improved outcome. The best route for administering nutrition (parenterally (TPN) or enterally (EN)), and the best timing of administration (for example, early versus late) of nutrients needs to be established.

OBJECTIVES

To quantify the effect on mortality and morbidity of alternative strategies of providing nutritional support following head injury.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Trials were identified by computerised searches of the Cochrane Injuries Group specialised register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, National Research Register, Web of Science and other electronic trials registers. Reference lists of trials and review articles were checked. The searches were last updated in July 2006.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials of timing or route of nutritional support following acute traumatic brain injury.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently abstracted data and assessed trial quality. Information was collected on death, disability, and incidence of infection. If trial quality was unclear, or if there were missing outcome data, trialists were contacted in an attempt to get further information.

MAIN RESULTS

A total of 11 trials were included. Seven trials addressed the timing of support (early versus delayed), data on mortality were obtained for all seven trials (284 participants). The relative risk (RR) for death with early nutritional support was 0.67 (95% CI 0.41 to 1.07). Data on disability were available for three trials. The RR for death or disability at the end of follow-up was 0.75 (95% CI 0.50 to 1.11). Seven trials compared parenteral versus enteral nutrition. Because early support often involves parenteral nutrition, three of the trials are also included in the previous analyses. Five trials (207 participants) reported mortality. The RR for mortality at the end of follow-up period was 0.66 (0.41 to 1.07). Two trials provided data on death and disability. The RR was 0.69 (95% Cl 0.40 to 1.19). One trial compared gastric versus jejunal enteral nutrition, there were no deaths and the RR was not estimable.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review suggests that early feeding may be associated with a trend towards better outcomes in terms of survival and disability. Further trials are required. These trials should report not only nutritional outcomes but also the effect on death and disability.

Total parenteral nutrition-related gastroenterological complications

Total parenteral nutrition is a life saving therapy for patients with chronic gastrointestinal failure, being an effective method for supplying energy and nutrients when oral or enteral feeding is impossible or contraindicated. Clinical epidemiological data indicate that total parenteral nutrition may be associated with a variety of problems. Herein we reviewed data on the gastroenterological tract regarding: (i) total parenteral nutrition-related hepatobiliary complications; and (ii) total parenteral nutrition-related intestinal complications. In the first group, complications may vary from mildly elevated liver enzyme values to steatosis, steatohepatitis, cholestasis, fibrosis and cirrhosis. In particular, total parenteral nutrition is considered to be an absolute risk factor for the development of biliary sludge and gallstones and is often associated with hepatic steatosis and intrahepatic cholestasis. In general, the incidence of total parenteral nutrition-related hepatobiliary complications has been reported to be very high, ranging from 20 to 75% in adults. All these hepatobiliary complications are more likely to occur after long-term total parenteral nutrition, but they seem to be less frequent, and/or less severe in patients who are also receiving oral feeding. In addition, end-stage liver disease has been described in approximately 15-20% of patients receiving prolonged total parenteral nutrition. Total parenteral nutrition-related intestinal complications have not yet been adequately defined and described. Epidemiological studies intended to define the incidence of these complications, are still ongoing. Recent papers confirm that in both animals and humans, total parenteral nutrition-related intestinal complications are induced by the lack of enteral stimulation and are characterised by changes in the structure and function of the gut. Preventive suggestions and therapies for both these gastroenterological complications are reviewed and reported in the present review.

Age differences in fluid balance and serum Na+ and K+ levels after nasogastric tube feeding in stroke patients: elderly vs nonelderly

BACKGROUND

Enteral nutrition support has been commonly used to improve nutrition status in acute stroke patients. The purpose of this study was to examine whether significant alterations in fluid and serum Na+ and K+ levels due to nasogastric tube feeding depended on patient age.

METHODS

This study was conducted by retrospective review of the medical records of tube-fed patients with acute brain infarction who had been hospitalized in a university hospital.

RESULTS

Rates of overhydration were high before tube feeding in both elderly and nonelderly stroke patients. This overhydration rate became more prevalent after iso-osmolal tube feeding in the elderly but decreased somewhat in the nonelderly subjects, and this difference in fluid balance after tube feeding between the elderly and nonelderly was statistically significant. Contrary to fluid balance, serum Na+ and K+ concentrations were no different in the elderly and nonelderly patients after tube feeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the results showed that overhydration state was prominent after tube feeding in the elderly, it appeared that there was a very mild clinical impact because the osmolality and serum sodium were not changed in this group. However, more attention to the maintenance of fluid balance in the elderly tube-fed stroke patients is needed because elderly patients have great difficulty in maintaining a normal fluid balance.

ESPEN Guidelines on Enteral Nutrition: Surgery including organ transplantation

Enhanced recovery of patients after surgery ("ERAS") has become an important focus of perioperative management. From a metabolic and nutritional point of view, the key aspects of perioperative care include: Enteral nutrition (EN) by means of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) and if necessary tube feeding (TF) offers the possibility of increasing or ensuring nutrient intake in cases where food intake is inadequate. These guidelines are intended to give evidence-based recommendations for the use of ONS and TF in surgical patients. They were developed by an interdisciplinary expert group in accordance with officially accepted standards and are based on all relevant publications since 1980. The guideline was discussed and accepted in a consensus conference. EN is indicated even in patients without obvious undernutrition, if it is anticipated that the patient will be unable to eat for more than 7 days perioperatively. It is also indicated in patients who cannot maintain oral intake above 60% of recommended intake for more than 10 days. In these situations nutritional support should be initiated without delay. Delay of surgery for preoperative EN is recommended for patients at severe nutritional risk, defined by the presence of at least one of the following criteria: weight loss >10-15% within 6 months, BMI<18.5 kg/m(2), Subjective Global Assessment Grade C, serum albumin <30 g/l (with no evidence of hepatic or renal dysfunction). Altogether, it is strongly recommended not to wait until severe undernutrition has developed, but to start EN therapy early, as soon as a nutritional risk becomes apparent.

Parenteral nutrition in adult inpatients with functioning gastrointestinal tracts: assessment of outcomes

Malnutrition is a common comorbidity that places inpatients at risk of complications, infections, long length of stay, higher costs, and increased mortality. Thus, nutrition support has become an important therapeutic adjunctive to the care of these patients. For patients unable to feed themselves, nutrition can be delivered via the parenteral or enteral routes. The formulations used to deliver nutrients and the route of nutrient delivery, absorption, and processing differ substantially between parenteral and enteral nutrition. Over the past two decades, many randomised clinical trials have assessed the effects of parenteral versus enteral nutrition on outcomes (ie, complications, infections, length of stay, costs, mortality) in diverse inpatient populations. From a search of medical publications, studies were selected that assessed important clinical outcomes of parenteral versus enteral feeding or intravenous fluids in patients with trauma/burn injuries, surgery, cancer, pancreatic disease, inflammatory bowel disease, critical illness, liver failure, acute renal failure, and organ transplantation. Our goal was to determine the optimum route of feeding in these patient groups. The available evidence lends support to the use of enteral over parenteral feeding in inpatients with functioning gastrointestinal tracts.

ESPEN Guidelines on Enteral Nutrition: Gastroenterology

Undernutrition as well as specific nutrient deficiencies have been described in patients with Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC) and short bowel syndrome (SBS). The present guideline gives evidence-based recommendations for the indication, application and type of formula of enteral nutrition (EN) (oral nutritional supplements (ONS) or tube feeding (TF)) in these patients. It was developed in an interdisciplinary consensus-based process in accordance with officially accepted standards and is based on all relevant publications since 1985. ONS and/or TF in addition to normal food is indicated in undernourished patients with CD or CU to improve nutritional status. In active CD EN is the first line therapy in children and should be used as sole therapy in adults mainly when treatment with corticosteroids is not feasible. No significant differences have been shown in the effects of free amino acid, peptide-based and whole protein formulae for TF. In remission ONS is recommended only in steroid dependent patients in CD. In patients with SBS TF should be introduced in the adaptation phase and should be changed with progressing adaptation to ONS in addition to normal food.

Route-dependent effect of nutritional support on liver glucose uptake

The liver is a major site of glucose disposal during chronic (5 day) total parenteral (TPN) and enteral (TEN) nutrition. Net hepatic glucose uptake (NHGU) is dependent on the route of delivery when only glucose is delivered acutely; however, the hepatic response to chronic TPN and TEN is very similar. We aimed to determine whether the route of nutrient delivery altered the acute (first 8 h) response of the liver and whether chronic enteral delivery of glucose alone could augment the adaptive response to TPN. Chronically catheterized conscious dogs received either TPN or TEN containing glucose, Intralipid, and Travasol for either 8 h or 5 days. Another group received TPN for 5 days, but approximately 50% of the glucose in the nutrition was given via the enteral route (TPN+EG). Hepatic metabolism was assessed with tracer and arteriovenous difference techniques. In the presence of similar arterial plasma glucose levels (approximately 6 mM), NHGU and net hepatic lactate release increased approximately twofold between 8 h and 5 days in TPN and TEN. NHGU (26 +/- 1 vs. 23 +/- 3 micromol.kg(-1).min(-1)) and net hepatic lactate release (44 +/- 1 vs. 34 +/- 6 micromol.kg(-1).min(-1)) in TPN+EG were similar to results for TPN, despite lower insulin levels (96 +/- 6 vs. 58 +/- 16 pM, TPN vs. TPN+EG). TEN does not acutely enhance NHGU or disposition above that seen with TPN. However, partial delivery of enteral glucose is effective in decreasing the insulin requirement during chronic TPN.

Effects of Nasogastric Tube Feeding on Serum Sodium, Potassium, and Glucose Levels

PURPOSE

To examine whether significant alterations in serum sodium, potassium, and glucose levels occurred after nasogastric tube feeding with iso-osmolar formula in acute brain infarction patients.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Serum sodium, potassium, and glucose levels were analyzed by a retrospective medical record review of 85 nasogastric tube-fed patients.

FINDINGS

The mean values of serum sodium and potassium levels on the day before, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days of nasogastric feeding were within the normal range. Alterations in the incidence rates of high, normal, and low level of serum sodium and potassium after tube feeding were not statistically significant. The mean blood glucose levels on the day before, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days of tube feeding were above normal, and the increase after tube feading was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Enteral tube feeding using iso-osmolar formula did not significantly alter serum sodium and potassium balance. However, most participants were hyperglycemic before and after tube feeding, indicating that hyperglycemia can be induced in the acute stages of brain infarction regardless of tube feeding.

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

OBJECTIVE

Nutritional support is part of the standard of care for the critically ill adult patient. In the average patient in the intensive care unit who has no contraindications to enteral nutrition (EN) or parenteral nutrition (PN), the choice of route for nutritional support may be influenced by several factors. Because EN and PN are associated with risks and benefits, we systematically reviewed and critically appraised the literature to compare EN with PN the critically ill patient.

METHODS

We searched computerized bibliographic databases, personal files, and relevant reference lists to identify potentially eligible studies. Only randomized clinical trials that compared EN with PN in critically ill patients with respect to clinically important outcomes were included in this review. In an independent fashion, relevant data on the methodology and outcomes of primary studies were abstracted in duplicate. The studies were subsequently aggregated statistically.

RESULTS

There were 13 studies that met the inclusion criteria and, hence, were included in our meta-analysis. The use of EN as opposed to PN was associated with a significant decrease in infectious complications (relative risk = 0.64, 95% confidence interval = 0.47 to 0.87, P = 0.004) but not with any difference in mortality rate (relative risk = 1.08, 95% confidence interval = 0.70 to 1.65, P = 0.7). There was no difference in the number of days on a ventilator or length of stay in the hospital between groups receiving EN or PN (Standardized Mean Difference [SMD] = 0.07, 95% confidence interval = -0.2 to 0.33, P = 0.6). PN was associated with a higher incidence of hyperglycemia. Data that compared days on a ventilator and the development of diarrhea in patients who received EN versus PN were inconclusive. In the EN and PN groups, complications with enteral and parenteral access were seen. Four studies documented cost savings with EN as opposed to PN.

CONCLUSION

The use of EN as opposed to PN results in an important decrease in the incidence of infectious complications in the critically ill and may be less costly. EN should be the first choice for nutritional support in the critically ill.

Alterations of intestinal mucosa structure and barrier function following traumatic brain injury in rats

AIM: Gastrointestinal dysfunction is a common complication in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the effect of traumatic brain injury on intestinal mucosa has not been studied previously. The aim of the current study was to explore the alterations of intestinal mucosa morphology and barrier function, and to determine how rapidly the impairment of gut barrier function occurs and how long it persists following traumatic brain injury.

METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups (6 rats each group) including controls without brain injury and traumatic brain injury groups at hours 3, 12, 24, and 72, and on day 7. The intestinal mucosa structure was detected by histopathological examination and electron microscopy. Gut barrier dysfunction was evaluated by detecting serum endotoxin and intestinal permeability. The level of serum endotoxin and intestinal permeability was measured by using chromogenic limulus amebocyte lysate and lactulose/mannitol (L/M) ratio, respectively.

RESULTS: After traumatic brain injury, the histopathological alterations of gut mucosa occurred rapidly as early as 3 hours and progressed to a serious state, including shedding of epithelial cells, fracture of villi, focal ulcer, fusion of adjacent villi, dilation of central chyle duct, mucosal atrophy, and vascular dilation, congestion and edema in the villous interstitium and lamina propria. Apoptosis of epithelial cells, fracture and sparseness of microvilli, loss of tight junction between enterocytes, damage of mitochondria and endoplasm, were found by electron microscopy. The villous height, crypt depth and surface area in jejunum decreased progressively with the time of brain injury. As compared with that of control group (183.7 ± 41.8 EU/L), serum endotoxin level was significantly increased at 3, 12, and 24 hours following TBI (434.8 ± 54.9 EU/L, 324.2 ± 61.7 EU/L and 303.3 ± 60.2 EU/L, respectively), and peaked at 72 hours (560.5 ± 76.2 EU/L), then declined on day 7 (306.7 ± 62.4 EU/L, P < 0.01). Two peaks of serum endotoxin level were found at hours 3 and 72 following TBI. L/M ratio was also significantly higher in TBI groups than that in control group (control, 0.0172 ± 0.0009; 12 h, 0.0303 ± 0.0013; 24 h, 0.0354 ± 0.0025; 72 h, 0.0736 ± 0.0105; 7 d, 0.0588 ± 0.0083; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Traumatic brain injury can induce significant damages of gut structure and impairment of barrier function which occur rapidly as early as 3 hours following brain injury and lasts for more than 7 days with marked mucosal atrophy.

Nutritional support for head-injured patients

BACKGROUND

Head injury increases the body's metabolic responses, and therefore nutritional demands. Provision of an adequate supply of nutrients is associated with improved outcome. The best route for administering nutrition (parenterally (TPN) or enterally (EN)), and the best timing of administration (e.g early versus late) of nutrients needs to be established.

OBJECTIVES

To quantify the effect on mortality and morbidity of alternative strategies of providing nutritional support following head injury.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Trials were identified by computerised searches of the Injuries Group specialised register, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE and BIDS Index to Scientific and Technical Proceedings, and by checking the reference lists of trials and review articles.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials of timing or route of nutritional support following acute traumatic brain injury.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two reviewers independently abstracted data and assessed trial quality. Information was collected on death, disability, and incidence of infection. If trial quality was unclear, or if there were missing outcome data, trialists were contacted in an attempt to get further information.

MAIN RESULTS

The timing of support: early versus delayed Of the seven trials addressing the timing of support, data on mortality were obtained for all seven trials (284 participants). The relative risk (RR) for death with early nutritional support was 0.67 (95% CI 0.41 to 1.07). Data on disability were available for three trials. The RR for death or disability at the end of follow-up was 0.75 (0.50 to 1.11). The route of feeding: parenteral versus enteral Seven trials compared parenteral versus enteral nutrition. Because early support often involves parenteral nutrition, three of the trials are also included in the previous analyses. Five trials (207 participants) reported mortality. The RR for mortality at the end of follow-up period was 0.66 (0.41 to 1.07). Two trials provided data on death and disability. The RR was 0.69 (95%Cl 0.40 to 1.19). 3. Enteral nutrition: jejunal versus gastric. There was one trial with no deaths and the RR is not estimable.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

This review suggests that early feeding may be associated with a trend towards better outcomes in terms of survival and disability. Further trials are required. These trials should report not only nutritional outcomes but also the effect on death and disability.

Complications associated with enteral nutrition by nasogastric tube in an internal medicine unit

Enteral nutrition through a nasogastric tube is a technique often used with hospitalized patients when they present problems with oral nutrition. Patients receiving enteral nutrition show several kinds of complications such as diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, lung aspiration, tube dislodgement, tube clogging, hyperglycaemia and electrolytic alterations. We present a prospective and observational study carried out in an Internal Medicine Unit with 64 patients who were fed by a nasogastric tube. From the results it can be seen that older people represented a majority (the average age was 76.2 years), and difficulty in swallowing was the main reason for beginning enteral nutrition. The complications which appeared were: tube dislodgement (48.5%); electrolytic alterations (45.5%); hyperglycaemia (34.5%); diarrhoea (32.8%); constipation (29.7%); vomiting (20.4%); tube clogging (12.5%); and lung aspiration (3.1%). We discuss the possible relationship between the different factors associated with the enteral nutrition procedure and the occurrence of these complications. Finally, some nursing interventions are suggested, such as: checking the gastric residue periodically; attempting to place the tube in the duodenum in unconscious patients; and the use of protective mittens in disturbed patients.

The Brain Trauma Foundation. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons. The Joint Section on Neurotrauma and Critical Care. Nutrition

Data show that starved head-injured patients lose sufficient nitrogen to reduce weight by 15% per week. Class II data show that 100-140% replacement of resting metabolism expenditure with 15-20% nitrogen calories reduces nitrogen loss. Data in non-head injured patients show that a 30% weight loss increased mortality rate. Class I data suggests that nonfeeding of head-injured patients by the first week increases mortality rate. The data strongly support feeding at least by the end of the first week. It has not been established that any method of feeding is better than another or that early feeding prior to 7 days improves outcome. Based on the level of nitrogen wasting documented in head-injured patients and the nitrogen sparing effect of feeding, it is a guideline that full nutritional replacement be instituted by day 7.

The effect of insulin on human small intestinal mucosal protein synthesis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Insulin deficiency was recently shown to stimulate splanchnic protein synthesis in vivo, whereas insulin enhances small intestinal mucosal cell proliferation in vitro. Because insulin is a postprandial hormone, it was hypothesized that it has an important role in regulating small intestinal protein synthesis in humans.

METHODS

Small intestinal mucosal protein synthesis was measured in C-peptide-negative patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus during insulin deprivation (n = 6) and during insulin treatment (n = 6) and in nondiabetic control subjects (n = 6). Mucosal protein synthesis was measured from the increment of [(13)C]leucine enrichment in endoscopically obtained duodenal mucosa samples during a primed continuous infusion of L-[1-(13)C]leucine.

RESULTS

During insulin treatment, the rate of mucosal protein synthesis in patients with type 1 diabetes was similar (1.32% +/- 0.05%/h) to that of nondiabetic controls (1.33% +/- 0.06%/h). However, during insulin deprivation, the mucosal protein synthesis rate in patients with type 1 diabetes was significantly lower (1.15% +/- 0.33%/h) than during either insulin treatment (P = 0.01) or in nondiabetic controls (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

These studies show that insulin is required for the maintenance of normal rates of protein synthesis in small intestinal mucosa. Because protein synthesis is an essential component of the remodeling process of this fast turning over tissue, the decline in the synthesis rate of small intestinal mucosa during insulin deprivation may be a contributing factor in the development of gastrointestinal complications that occur in poorly controlled type 1 diabetic patients.