Effect of Early Nutritional Support on Clinical Outcomes of Critically Ill Patients with Sepsis and Septic Shock: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Effect of the modified NUTRIC score in predicting the prognosis of patients admitted to intensive care units

BACKGROUND

Nutritional deficiency is common in critically ill hospitalized patients. This condition may be aggravated by increased dietary requirements and deficiencies in nutrient absorption. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between the modified Nutritional Risk in Critically ill (mNUTRIC) score and mortality and morbidity in patients with sepsis.

METHODS

In this prospective observational study, 78 patients with sepsis were enrolled in the general intensive care unit over a 3-month period. Demographic and clinical data and laboratory results were recorded and followed up. The nutrition of each patient was started by the nutrition team, and a modified score (mNUTRIC) was calculated. This score was used to assess the patients' nutritional status and mortality risk.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 77.2 ± 9.9 years, and the majority were men. The median mNUTRIC score was 6. The cohort was divided into two groups: 31 patients (39.7%) with low scores and 47 patients (60.3%) with high mNUTRIC scores. A high mNUTRIC score was associated with an increased need for vasoactive drugs (p < 0.001) and mechanical ventilation (p < 0.001), as well as increased acute kidney injury (p = 0.014) and prolonged hospital stay (p < 0.001) during ICU follow-up. The mNUTRIC score showed high accuracy in predicting mortality (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, to predict the prognosis of patients with sepsis in the ICU, the mNUTRIC score was associated with mortality. The inclusion of nutritional assessment scoring tools in the routine clinical evaluation of ICU patients is important.

Comparative analysis of six nutritional scores in predicting prognosis of COVID-19 patients

Background

Identifying nutritional risk in COVID-19 patients poses a challenge due to the unique qualities of every nutritional screening instrument. The objective was to assess the efficacy of six nutritional scores, including the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) score, the NUTRIC (nutrition risk in the critically ill) score, the modified NUTRIC score, the prognostic nutritional index (PNI), controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score, TCB index (TCBI), predicting prognosis of COVID-19 patients.

Methods

Clinical data were collected from COVID-19 patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between December 2022 and February 2023. Participants in this research were divided into two groups: all patients and those specifically from the intensive care unit (ICU). Each group was further stratified into two groups: survivors and non-survivors.

Result

506 COVID-19 patients and 190 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) were evaluated. In all COVID-19 patients, we found that NRS-2002 (p < 0.001) and TCBI (p = 0.002) were statistically significant independent predictors in multivariate analyses, while APACHE II score (p = 0,048) and the mNUTRIC score (p = 0.025) were statistically significant independent predictors in multivariate analyses in ICU patients. The NRS-2002 demonstrated a higher AUC value (0.687) than other nutritional scores in all patients, with an optimum cut-off value of 3, translating into a corresponding sensitivity of 66.2% and specificity of 68.7%. With an optimum cut-off value of 4, the mNUTRIC score demonstrated a higher AUC value (0.884) in ICU patients, resulting in a sensitivity of 88.4% and a specificity of 76.9%. By using the discrimination and clinical application (DCA) curve, NRS-2002 demonstrated the greatest net benefit in all patients, while NUTRIC score and mNUTRIC score offered the more significant overall advantage than other nutritional scores in ICU patients. Kaplan-Meier analyses showed lower survival rates in patients in low nutritional risk.

Conclusion

Malnutrition was common in COVID-19 patients. The mNUTRIC score and NRS-2002 were, respectively, more effctive scoring systems of prognosis in all COVID-19 patients and severe or critical COVID-19 patients of the intensive care unit (ICU).

Association between prognostic nutritional index and mortality risk in patients with community-acquired pneumonia: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

The prognostic nutritional index (PNI), reflecting the body's immune-nutritional status, has been established as a correlate of prognosis across various diseases. However, its significance in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains unclear. This study investigated the relationship between PNI and clinical outcomes in CAP patients.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the PNI in adults with CAP admitted to the ICU. Participants were selected from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database and categorized into quartiles (Q1-Q4) according to their PNI values. We employed Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, multivariate Cox regression, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models to explore the association between PNI and the clinical outcomes of these CAP patients.

RESULTS

In this study, we included 1,608 patients with CAP. The observed 30-day and 90-day mortality rates stood at 30.85% and 39.99%, respectively. Patients with higher PNI levels exhibited a reduced risk of both 30-day and 90-day mortality. Following adjustment for confounders, PNI showed a significant negative association with 30-day mortality [HR, 0.93 (0.91-0.94), P < 0.001] and 90-day mortality [HR, 0.94 (0.92-0.95), P < 0.001]. RCS analysis revealed a consistent trend of declining all-cause mortality risk corresponding to increasing PNI values. PNI demonstrated predictive value for 30-day and 90-day mortality in CAP patients, with AUCs of 0.71 and 0.68, respectively. Combining PNI with CURB-65 enhanced the predictive value of CURB-65.

CONCLUSION

Our investigation identified a significant negative association between the PNI and the risk of mortality in patients with CAP. Additionally, the PNI demonstrated superior predictive value for mortality risk in CAP patients when compared to the CURB-65 scoring system.

Enhancing sepsis therapy: the evolving role of enteral nutrition

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction syndrome caused by a dysregulated response to infection in the body. Effective treatment of sepsis poses a significant challenge in today's clinical field. In recent years, enteral nutrition has garnered significant attention as an essential supportive therapeutic strategy. Serving as a means to provide ample nutritional support directly through the gastrointestinal tract, enteral nutrition not only addresses the nutritional depletion caused by the disease but also holds potential advantages in regulating immune function, maintaining intestinal mucosal barrier integrity, and promoting tissue repair. This article delves into the latest advancements of enteral nutrition in the treatment of sepsis, with a particular focus on its application effectiveness in clinical practice, potential mechanisms, and challenges faced. By examining relevant basic and clinical research, the aim is to provide a deeper understanding of nutritional therapy for sepsis patients and offer valuable insights for future research and clinical practice.

Multidisciplinary nutritional support team and survival outcomes in patients with sepsis: a nationwide population-based cohort study in South Korea

BACKGROUND

The South Korean government implemented a multidisciplinary nutritional support team (NST) system to focus on the proper evaluation and supply of nutritional status in hospitalized patients who are at a higher risk of malnutrition.

METHODS

This nationwide population-based cohort study included patients diagnosed with sepsis who were admitted to hospitals from 2016 to 2020. The NST should consist of four professional personnel (physicians, full-time nurses, full-time pharmacists, and full-time clinical dietitians). The NST group included patients with sepsis admitted to a hospital with an NST system, whereas the non-NST group included patients with sepsis admitted to a hospital without an NST system.

RESULTS

A total of 323,841 patients with sepsis were included in the final analysis, and 120,274 (37.1%) admitted to a hospital with an NST system were included in the NST group. In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, the NST group showed a 15% lower 90-day mortality than the non-NST group (hazard ratio [HR]:0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]:0.83, 0.86; P < 0.001). The NST group shows 11% lower 1-year all-cause mortality than the non-NST group (HR:0.89, 95% CI:0.87, 0.90; P < 0.001). In subgroup analyses, a more evident association of the NST group with lower 90-day mortality was shown in the intensive care unit admission group and age ≥65 years old group.

CONCLUSIONS

Multidisciplinary NST intervention is associated with improved survival outcomes in patients with sepsis. Moreover, this association was more evident in patients with sepsis aged ≥65 years old who were admitted to the ICU.

Predictive value of PAR and PNI for the acute complicated course of pediatric acute hematogenous osteomyelitis

OBJECTIVE

Platelet to albumin ratio (PAR) and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) are potential indicators for evaluating nutritional and inflammatory status. This study aimed to examine the relationship between PAR and PNI and the acute complicated course of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO).

METHODS

AHO patients were divided into the simple course group and the acute complicated course group. The patient's gender, age, site of infection, body temperature, laboratory results, and pathogen culture results were collected and compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors of the acute complicated course group. The receiver operating characteristic curve was applied to determine the optimal cut-off value.

RESULTS

In total, 101 AHO patients with a median age of 7.58 years were included. There were 63 cases (62.4 %) in the simple course group and 38 cases (37.6 %) in the complicated course group. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that PAR and PNI were independent risk factors for predicting the acute complicated course of AHO (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the combination of PAR and PNI had an area under the curve of 0.777 (95 % CI: 0.680-0.873, p < 0.001) with a cut-off value of 0.51.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of acute complicated courses was significantly higher in patients with high PAR and low PNI. A combined factor greater than 0.51, derived from PAR and PNI measurements within 24 h of admission, may be useful for predicting AHO patients who are likely to develop severe disease.

"Feed a Cold, Starve a Fever?" A Review of Nutritional Strategies in the Setting of Bacterial Versus Viral Infections

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Some data, mostly originally derived from animal studies, suggest that low glucose intake is protective in bacterial sepsis but detrimental in overwhelming viral infections. This has been interpreted into a broad belief that different forms of sepsis may potentially require different nutritional management strategies. There are a few mechanistic differences between the host interactions with virus and bacteria which can explain why there may be opposing responses to macronutrient and micronutrient during the infected state. Here, we aim to review relevant evidence on the mechanisms and pathophysiology of nutritional management strategies in various infectious syndromes and summarize their clinical implications.

RECENT FINDINGS

Newer literature - in the context of the SARS-CoV-19 pandemic - offers some insight to viral infections. There is still limited clinically applicable data during infection that clearly delineate the role of nutrition during an active viral vs bacterial infections. Based on contrasting findings in different models of viruses and bacteria, the macronutrient and micronutrient needs may depend more on specific infectious organisms that may not be generalizable as bacterial versus viral. Overall, the metabolic effects of sepsis are context dependent, and various host-specific (e.g., age, baseline nutritional status, immune status, comorbidities) and illness variables (phase, duration, and severity of illness) play a significant role in determining the outcome besides pathogen-specific (virus or bacterial or fungi and combined infections) factors. Microbe therapy (probiotics and prebiotics) seems to have therapeutic potential in both viral and bacterial infected states, and this seems like a promising area for further practical research.

Clinical predictive value of the CRP-albumin-lymphocyte index for prognosis of critically ill patients with sepsis in intensive care unit: a retrospective single-center observational study

Background

Sepsis is a complex syndrome characterized by physiological, pathological, and biochemical abnormalities caused by infection. Its development is influenced by factors such as inflammation, nutrition, and immune status. Therefore, we combined C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, and lymphocyte, which could reflect above status, to be the CRP-albumin-lymphocyte (CALLY) index, and investigated its association with clinical prognosis of critically ill patients with sepsis.

Methods

This retrospective observational study enrolled critically ill patients with sepsis who had an initial CRP, albumin, and lymphocyte data on the first day of ICU admission. All data were obtained from the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University. The patients were divided into quartiles (Q1-Q4) based on their CALLY index. The outcomes included 30-/60-day mortality and acute kidney injury (AKI) occurrence. The association between the CALLY index and these clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with sepsis was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total of 1,123 patients (63.0% male) were included in the study. The 30-day and 60-day mortality rates were found to be 28.1 and 33.4%, respectively, while the incidence of AKI was 45.6%. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significant association between higher CALLY index and lower risk of 30-day and 60-day mortality (log-rank p < 0.001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis indicated that the CALLY index was independently associated with 30-day mortality [HR (95%CI): 0.965 (0.935-0.997); p = 0.030] and 60-day mortality [HR (95%CI): 0.969 (0.941-0.997); p = 0.032]. Additionally, the multivariate logistic regression model showed that the CALLY index served as an independent risk predictor for AKI occurrence [OR (95%CI): 0.982 (0.962-0.998); p = 0.033].

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicated a significant association between the CALLY index and both 30-day and 60-day mortality, as well as the occurrence of AKI, in critically ill patients with sepsis. These findings suggested that the CALLY index may be a valuable tool in identifying sepsis patients who were at high risk for unfavorable outcomes.

Association of malnutrition status with 30-day mortality in patients with sepsis using objective nutritional indices: a multicenter retrospective study in South Korea

BACKGROUND

The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score and the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) have emerged as important nutritional indices because they provide an objective assessment based on data. We aimed to investigate how these nutritional indices relate to outcomes in patients with sepsis.

METHODS

Data were collected retrospectively at five hospitals for patients aged ≥18 years receiving treatment for sepsis between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2021. Serum albumin and total cholesterol concentrations, and peripheral lymphocytes were used to calculate the CONUT score and PNI. To identify predictors correlated with 30-day mortality, analyses were conducted using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

The 30-day mortality rate among 9,763 patients was 15.8% (n=1,546). The median CONUT score was 5 (interquartile range [IQR], 3-7) and the median PNI score was 39.6 (IQR, 33.846.4). Higher 30-day mortality rates were associated with individuals with moderate (CONUT score: 5-8; PNI: 35-38) or severe (CONUT: 9-12; PNI: <35) malnutrition compared with those with no malnutrition (CONUT: 0-1; PNI: >38). With CONUT scores, the hazard ratio (HR) associated with moderate malnutrition was 1.52 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-1.87; P<0.001); for severe, HR=2.42 (95% CI, 1.95-3.02; P<0.001). With PNI scores, the HR for moderate malnutrition was 1.29 (95% CI, 1.09-1.53; P=0.003); for severe, HR=1.88 (95% CI, 1.67-2.12; P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The nutritional indices CONUT score and PNI showed significant associations with mortality of sepsis patients within 30 days.

Prior Evaluation of Nutritional Status and Mortality in Patients with Sepsis in South Korea

Our objective was to determine whether nutritional status correlates with mortality in sepsis patients. Data from a nationwide registration database were utilized for this population-based cohort study. The study subjects comprised adults who received standard health examinations before being admitted to the hospital for sepsis and were diagnosed with sepsis between 2018 and 2020. Nutrition scores were evaluated using the Nutritional Lifestyle Assessment Tool in South Korea. Overall, 2482 patients with sepsis were included in this study. The 90-day and 1-year mortality rates in patients with sepsis were 26.8% (664/2482) and 34.2% (848/2482), respectively. In the covariate-adjusted multivariable logistic regression model, a 1-point increase in nutrition score was associated with a decrease in 90-day mortality in patients with sepsis (odds ratio [OR]: 0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.97, 0.98; p = 0.025). In the covariate-adjusted multivariable Cox regression model, a 1-point increase in nutrition score was associated with a decrease in 1-year mortality in patients with sepsis (hazard ratio [H.R.]: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.98, 0.99; p = 0.035). Our results suggest that adequate dietary intake and healthy eating habits might protect against mortality among sepsis patients.

Effect of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of Vancomycin on the Clinical Outcome of Enterococcus faecium Bacteremia

BACKGROUND/AIM

Vancomycin (VCM) is an antibiotic widely used in the treatment of resistant bacteria. In patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection, the clinical outcome differs according to the VCM minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of isolates. However, the effect of VCM MIC on the clinical outcome is unclear for bacterial species other than MRSA. This study evaluated the relationship between the VCM MIC and clinical outcomes in patients with Enterococcus faecium bacteremia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study included patients who had E. faecium detected in at least one set of blood cultures between April 2011 and March 2022. The study assessed the outcome according to the VCM MIC. The primary outcome was the 30-day mortality rate. Measures of interest included the initial serum concentration of VCM, MIC, the area under the curve (AUC), and the AUC over 24-48 hours (AUC24-48 h).

RESULTS

A total of 26 patients were included in the study, of whom 5 died and 21 survived. The 30-day mortality was higher in patients with higher MICs and lower serum albumin levels. Patients with a serum albumin level <2.0 mg/dl and a MIC ≥1 μg/ml had significantly shorter survival than those who did not (p=0.013, log-rank test).

CONCLUSION

The 30-day mortality rate of patients with E. faecium bacteremia is associated with the VCM MIC of E. faecium isolates and the patient's nutritional status. Patients with albumin <2 mg/dl and MIC ≥1 μg/ml may have a poor outcome and require careful clinical monitoring.

Current status of nutritional provision and effects of nutritional support on the clinical outcomes of acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy in the surgical intensive care unit

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Patients with acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy are at high risk of malnutrition. Nutritional support is an important part of treatment for patients with critical illness admitted to the intensive care unit. We aimed to investigate the status of nutritional provision and the effects of nutritional support on clinical outcomes.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN

Our institution's medical records (from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021) were analyzed in this retrospective cohort study. We included 43 patients aged >18 years who received continuous renal replacement therapy for acute kidney injury in the surgical intensive care unit.

RESULTS

The demographic characteristics were similar between the survivor and non-survivor groups. The protein supply per body weight (0.88 ± 0.37 g/kg vs. 0.47 ± 0.53 g/kg, p = 0.029) and the proportion of patients who met the target protein level (58.9 ± 24.9% vs. 30.8 ± 34.9%, p = 0.022) were significantly higher in the survivor group. Approximately 79.1% of the patients had a high malnutrition risk with a modified Nutrition Risk in the Critically Ill score of ≥5. The lengths of hospital and intensive care unit stays were longer in the high nutritional risk group compared with that in the low nutritional risk group, but the result was not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The nutritional amount provided in patients with critical illness is significantly lesser than the recommended amount. Ensuring proper nutritional support can improve the clinical outcomes.

Progress in the study of biomarkers for early prediction of systemic inflammatory response syndrome after percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Urolithiasis is a common and frequent disease in urology. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is preferred for the treatment of upper urinary tract stones and complicated renal stones &gt;2 cm in diameter, but it has a higher rate of postoperative complications, especially infection, compared with other minimally invasive treatments for urinary stones. Complications associated with infection after percutaneous nephrolithotomy include transient fever, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and sepsis, which is considered one of the most common causes of perioperative death after percutaneous nephrolithotomy. In contrast, SIRS serves as a sentinel for sepsis, so early intervention of SIRS by biomarker identification can reduce the incidence of postoperative sepsis, which in turn reduces the length of stay and hospital costs for patients. In this paper, we summarize traditional inflammatory indicators, novel inflammatory indicators, composite inflammatory indicators and other biomarkers for early identification of systemic inflammatory response syndrome after percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Effect of Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition Support on Pulmonary Function in Elderly Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Complicated by Respiratory Failure

Objective. To investigate the effect of enteral and parenteral nutrition support (EPNS) on pulmonary function in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) complicated by respiratory failure (RF). Methods. A total of 127 patients who underwent treatment for elderly patients with COPD complicated by RF in our hospital from February 2020 to May 2022 were collected for a retrospective analysis. There were 41 patients with enteral nutrition support (group A), 46 with parenteral nutrition support (group B), and 40 with EPNS (group C). The levels of serum albumin (ALB), prealbumin (PA), serum hemoglobin (Hb), and serum transferrin (TRF) were measured before and after nutritional support in the three groups, and the changes in pulmonary function of patients were compared. The changes in the levels of inflammatory factors and markers of oxidative stress (OS) in serum were also detected, and the incidence of adverse reactions and length of stay (LOS) were counted. Results. ALB, PA, Hb, and TRF levels were increased in all 3 groups after nutritional support, with the highest in group C ( $P<0.05$ ). Similarly, lung function was improved in all 3 groups and inflammatory factor levels and OS were suppressed, also most dramatically in group C ( $P<0.05$ ). There was no difference in the incidence of adverse reactions among the 3 groups, and the LOS in group C was shorter than those in groups A and B ( $P<0.05$ ). Conclusion. EPNS can effectively improve the lung function of patients with COPD combined with RF and reduce the inflammation and OS damage. It can effectively improve the therapeutic effect of patients and has great application prospects in the treatment of COPD combined with RH in the future.