The effect of nutritional support on outcome from severe head injury

The Japanese Critical Care Nutrition Guideline 2024

Nutrition therapy is important in the management of critically ill patients and is continuously evolving as new evidence emerges. The Japanese Critical Care Nutrition Guideline 2024 (JCCNG 2024) is specific to Japan and is the latest set of clinical practice guidelines for nutrition therapy in critical care that was revised from JCCNG 2016 by the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine. An English version of these guidelines was created based on the contents of the original Japanese version. These guidelines were developed to help health care providers understand and provide nutrition therapy that will improve the outcomes of children and adults admitted to intensive care units or requiring intensive care, regardless of the disease. The intended users of these guidelines are all healthcare professionals involved in intensive care, including those who are not familiar with nutrition therapy. JCCNG 2024 consists of 37 clinical questions and 24 recommendations, covering immunomodulation therapy, nutrition therapy for special conditions, and nutrition therapy for children. These guidelines were developed in accordance with the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system by experts from various healthcare professionals related to nutrition therapy and/or critical care. All GRADE-based recommendations, good practice statements (GPS), future research questions, and answers to background questions were finalized by consensus using the modified Delphi method. Strong recommendations for adults include early enteral nutrition (EN) within 48 h and the provision of pre/synbiotics. Weak recommendations for adults include the use of a nutrition protocol, EN rather than parenteral nutrition, the provision of higher protein doses, post-pyloric EN, continuous EN, omega-3 fatty acid-enriched EN, the provision of probiotics, and indirect calorimetry use. Weak recommendations for children include early EN within 48 h, bolus EN, and energy/protein-dense EN formulas. A nutritional assessment is recommended by GPS for both adults and children. JCCNG 2024 will be disseminated through educational activities mainly by the JCCNG Committee at various scientific meetings and seminars. Since studies on nutritional treatment for critically ill patients are being reported worldwide, these guidelines will be revised in 4 to 6 years. We hope that these guidelines will be used in clinical practice for critically ill patients and in future research.

The Efficacy of Parenteral Nutrition and Enteral Nutrition Supports in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systemic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Background

Enteral nutrition (EN) is often used in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), but some studies have shown that EN has its disadvantages. However, it is not clear which nutritional support is appropriate to reduce mortality, improve prognosis, and improve nutritional status in patients with TBI. We performed this Bayesian network meta-analysis to evaluate the improvement of nutritional indicators and the clinical outcomes of patients with TBI.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from inception until December 2021. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which compared the effects of different nutritional supports on clinical outcomes and nutritional indicators in patients with TBI were included. The co-primary outcomes included mortality and the value of serum albumin. The secondary outcomes were nitrogen balance, the length of study (LOS) in the ICU, and feeding-related complications. The network meta-analysis was performed to adjust for indirect comparison and mixed treatment analysis.

Results

7 studies enroll a total of 456 patients who received different nutritional supports including parenteral nutrition (PN), enteral nutrition (EN), and PN + EN. No effects on in-hospital mortality (Median RR = 1.06, 95% Crl = 0.12 to 1.77) and the value of 0-1 days of serum albumin were found between the included regimens. However, the value of 11-13 days of serum albumin of EN was better than that of PN (WMD = -4.95, 95% CI = -7.18 to -2.72, P < 0.0001, I ² = 0%), and 16-20 days of serum albumin of EN + PN was better than that of EN (WMD = -7.42, 95% CI = -14.51 to -0.34, P=0.04, I ² = 90%). No effects on the 5-7 day nitrogen balance were found between the included regimens. In addition, the complications including pneumonia and sepsis have no statistical difference between EN and PN. EN was superior to PN in terms of LOS in the ICU and the incidence rate of stress ulcers. Although the difference in indirect comparisons between the included regimens was not statistically significant, the results showed that PN seemed to rank behind other regimens, and the difference between them was extremely small.

Conclusion

Available evidence suggests that EN + PN appears to be the most effective strategy for patients with TBI in improving clinical outcomes and nutritional support compared with other nutritional supports. Further trials are required.

Mortality and overall and specific infection complication rates in patients who receive parenteral nutrition: systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis

BACKGROUND

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is an available option for nutritional therapy and is often required in the hospital setting to overcome malnutrition.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess whether PN is associated with an increased risk of mortality or infectious complications in all groups of hospitalized patients compared with those receiving other nutritional support strategies.

METHODS

For this systematic review and meta-analysis MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central, Scopus, clinicaltrials.gov, and Web of Science were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies with parallel groups that explored the effect of PN on mortality and infectious complications, published until March 2021. Two independent reviewers extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias. Fixed-effects meta-analysis was performed to compare the groups from RCTs. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was used to identify whether the results were sufficient to reach definitive conclusions.

RESULTS

Of the 83 included studies that compared patients receiving PN with those receiving other strategies, 67 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. PN was not associated with a higher risk of mortality (RR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.95, 1.07). On the other hand, PN was associated with a higher risk of infectious events (RR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.36). PN was specifically associated with abdominal infection and catheter infection. The TSA showed that there were sufficient data to make numerical conclusions about mortality, any infectious event, and abdominal infectious complications.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that although PN is not associated with greater mortality in hospitalized patients, it is associated with infectious complications. Through TSA, definite conclusions about survival and infection rates could be made.This review was registered at www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ as CRD42018075599.

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2020 (J-SSCG 2020)

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2020 (J-SSCG 2020), a Japanese-specific set of clinical practice guidelines for sepsis and septic shock created as revised from J-SSCG 2016 jointly by the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine and the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine, was first released in September 2020 and published in February 2021. An English-language version of these guidelines was created based on the contents of the original Japanese-language version. The purpose of this guideline is to assist medical staff in making appropriate decisions to improve the prognosis of patients undergoing treatment for sepsis and septic shock. We aimed to provide high-quality guidelines that are easy to use and understand for specialists, general clinicians, and multidisciplinary medical professionals. J-SSCG 2016 took up new subjects that were not present in SSCG 2016 (e.g., ICU-acquired weakness [ICU-AW], post-intensive care syndrome [PICS], and body temperature management). The J-SSCG 2020 covered a total of 22 areas with four additional new areas (patient- and family-centered care, sepsis treatment system, neuro-intensive treatment, and stress ulcers). A total of 118 important clinical issues (clinical questions, CQs) were extracted regardless of the presence or absence of evidence. These CQs also include those that have been given particular focus within Japan. This is a large-scale guideline covering multiple fields; thus, in addition to the 25 committee members, we had the participation and support of a total of 226 members who are professionals (physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, clinical engineers, and pharmacists) and medical workers with a history of sepsis or critical illness. The GRADE method was adopted for making recommendations, and the modified Delphi method was used to determine recommendations by voting from all committee members.As a result, 79 GRADE-based recommendations, 5 Good Practice Statements (GPS), 18 expert consensuses, 27 answers to background questions (BQs), and summaries of definitions and diagnosis of sepsis were created as responses to 118 CQs. We also incorporated visual information for each CQ according to the time course of treatment, and we will also distribute this as an app. The J-SSCG 2020 is expected to be widely used as a useful bedside guideline in the field of sepsis treatment both in Japan and overseas involving multiple disciplines.

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2020 (J-SSCG 2020)

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2020 (J-SSCG 2020), a Japanese-specific set of clinical practice guidelines for sepsis and septic shock created as revised from J-SSCG 2016 jointly by the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine and the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine, was first released in September 2020 and published in February 2021. An English-language version of these guidelines was created based on the contents of the original Japanese-language version. The purpose of this guideline is to assist medical staff in making appropriate decisions to improve the prognosis of patients undergoing treatment for sepsis and septic shock. We aimed to provide high-quality guidelines that are easy to use and understand for specialists, general clinicians, and multidisciplinary medical professionals. J-SSCG 2016 took up new subjects that were not present in SSCG 2016 (e.g., ICU-acquired weakness [ICU-AW], post-intensive care syndrome [PICS], and body temperature management). The J-SSCG 2020 covered a total of 22 areas with four additional new areas (patient- and family-centered care, sepsis treatment system, neuro-intensive treatment, and stress ulcers). A total of 118 important clinical issues (clinical questions, CQs) were extracted regardless of the presence or absence of evidence. These CQs also include those that have been given particular focus within Japan. This is a large-scale guideline covering multiple fields; thus, in addition to the 25 committee members, we had the participation and support of a total of 226 members who are professionals (physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, clinical engineers, and pharmacists) and medical workers with a history of sepsis or critical illness. The GRADE method was adopted for making recommendations, and the modified Delphi method was used to determine recommendations by voting from all committee members. As a result, 79 GRADE-based recommendations, 5 Good Practice Statements (GPS), 18 expert consensuses, 27 answers to background questions (BQs), and summaries of definitions and diagnosis of sepsis were created as responses to 118 CQs. We also incorporated visual information for each CQ according to the time course of treatment, and we will also distribute this as an app. The J-SSCG 2020 is expected to be widely used as a useful bedside guideline in the field of sepsis treatment both in Japan and overseas involving multiple disciplines.

Nutritional and metabolic supplementation for the injured brain: an update

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Energy dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a key factor in the pathogenesis of acute brain injury (ABI). This one characterized by a high metabolic rate and nitrogen loss is often associated with an undernutrition support. We review the metabolism evolution and nutritional status in brain injured patient and summarize evidence on nutritional support in this condition.

RECENT FINDINGS

The role of nutrition support for improving prognosis in brain injured patient has been underlined recently. A fast nutrition institution whatever the route is essential to prevent an imbalance in caloric support. Moreover, hypermetabolic state must be prevented with a sufficient nitrogen support. Glycemic control is particularly relevant in this group of patient, with the discovery of new fuel that could potentially improve cerebral metabolism and replace glucose. Few data support also the use of immunonutrition input in this group of patients.

SUMMARY

Nutritional support is a key parameter in brain injured patient and must be initiated quickly to counteract hypermetabolic state by caring to improve caloric and nitrogen input. Recent clinical data support the use of immunonutrition, glutamine and zinc in this particular setting.

Association between enteral nutrition support and neurological outcome in patients with acute intracranial haemorrhage: A retrospective cohort study

Association between the amount of enteral nutrition (EN) caloric intake and Glasgow coma scale scores at discharge (GCSdis) in intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) was retrospectively investigated in 230 patients in a single center from 2015 and 2017. GCSdis was used as a dichotomous outcome (≤8 or >8: 56/230 vs. 174/230) and its association with the amount of EN caloric intake within 48 hours was analysed in four logistic models. Model 1 used EN as a continuous variable and showed association with favourable GCSdis (odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.08). Models 2 and 3 categorized EN into two (≤25 and >25 kcal/kg/48 hrs) and three caloric intake levels (≤10, 10~25, and >25 kcal/kg/48 hrs) respectively, and compared them with the lowest level; highest EN level associated with favourable GCSdis in both model 2 (OR, 2.77; 95%CI, 1.25-6.13) and 3 (OR, 4.68; 95%CI, 1.61-13.61). Model 4 transformed EN into four quartiles (Q1-Q4). Compared to Q1, OR increased stepwise from Q2 (OR 1.80, 95%CI 0.59-5.44) to Q4 (OR 4.71, 95%CI 1.49-14.80). Propensity score matching analysis of 69 matched pairs demonstrated consistent findings. In the early stage of ICH, increased EN was associated with favourable GCSdis.

The Benefits of Parenteral Nutrition (PN) Versus Enteral Nutrition (EN) Among Adult Critically Ill Patients: What is the Evidence? A Literature Review

Malnutrition is frequently seen among patients in the intensive care unit. Evidence shows that optimal nutritional support can lead to better clinical outcomes. Recent clinical trials debate over the efficacy of enteral nutrition (EN) over parenteral nutrition (PN). Multiple trials have studied the impact of EN versus PN in terms of health-care cost and clinical outcomes (including functional status, cost, infectious complications, mortality risk, length of hospital and intensive care unit stay, and mechanical ventilation duration). The aim of this review is to address the question: In critically ill adult patients requiring nutrition support, does EN compared to PN favorably impact clinical outcomes and health-care costs?

Anthropometric measures as biomarkers of neurodevelopmental outcomes of newborns with moderate to severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

BACKGROUND

Perinatal asphyxia is a prominent cause of neonatal mortality in the developing world. Growth in head circumference is associated with improved neurodevelopment. Previous studies found a positive correlation between additional dietary supplementation and growth in head circumference among newborns with perinatal brain injury. This study aims to evaluate the association between anthropometric parameters and developmental outcomes in newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

METHODS

Newborns at ≥36 weeks gestation with moderate to severe HIE were included in the study and growth parameters were monitored. Newborns with life-threatening anomalies were excluded. None of the study participants received therapeutic hypothermia (TH). Developmental Assessment Scale for Indian Infants (DASII) was used to evaluate neurodevelopmental outcomes at 1 year of age.

RESULTS

Of 76 study participants, 46 were followed for 12 months, 28 died, and 2 were lost to follow-up. HIE stage III, Apgar score <5 at 5 minutes of age, pH ≤ 7.1 on first blood gas and base deficit > - 16 was associated with death or disability at 1 year of age. All anthropometric parameters were significantly lower in presence of death or disability. pH ≤ 7.1 at birth (odds ratio: 11.835, 95% CI 2.273-61.629, p = 0.003) and weight gain at one year (odds ratio 1.001, 95% CI 1.000-1.002, p = 0.03) were significantly associated with death and disability.

CONCLUSION

pH > 7.1 at birth, and weight gain were associated with better neurodevelopmental outcomes at 1 year of age. Thus, in addition to TH, nutritional interventions may potentially improve outcomes among newborns with HIE.

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

STUDY OBJECTIVE

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

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

SETTING

Intensive care unit.

PATIENTS

23 trials containing 6478 patients met our inclusion criteria.

INTERVENTION

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

MAIN RESULTS

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

CONCLUSION

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

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.

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2016 (J-SSCG 2016)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2016 (J-SSCG 2016), a Japanese-specific set of clinical practice guidelines for sepsis and septic shock created jointly by the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine and the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine, was first released in February 2017 and published in the Journal of JSICM, [2017; Volume 24 (supplement 2)] 10.3918/jsicm.24S0001 and Journal of Japanese Association for Acute Medicine [2017; Volume 28, (supplement 1)] http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jja2.2017.28.issue-S1/issuetoc.This abridged English edition of the J-SSCG 2016 was produced with permission from the Japanese Association of Acute Medicine and the Japanese Society for Intensive Care Medicine.

METHODS

Members of the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine and the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine were selected and organized into 19 committee members and 52 working group members. The guidelines were prepared in accordance with the Medical Information Network Distribution Service (Minds) creation procedures. The Academic Guidelines Promotion Team was organized to oversee and provide academic support to the respective activities allocated to each Guideline Creation Team. To improve quality assurance and workflow transparency, a mutual peer review system was established, and discussions within each team were open to the public. Public comments were collected once after the initial formulation of a clinical question (CQ) and twice during the review of the final draft. Recommendations were determined to have been adopted after obtaining support from a two-thirds (> 66.6%) majority vote of each of the 19 committee members.

RESULTS

A total of 87 CQs were selected among 19 clinical areas, including pediatric topics and several other important areas not covered in the first edition of the Japanese guidelines (J-SSCG 2012). The approval rate obtained through committee voting, in addition to ratings of the strengths of the recommendation, and its supporting evidence were also added to each recommendation statement. We conducted meta-analyses for 29 CQs. Thirty-seven CQs contained recommendations in the form of an expert consensus due to insufficient evidence. No recommendations were provided for five CQs.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the evidence gathered, we were able to formulate Japanese-specific clinical practice guidelines that are tailored to the Japanese context in a highly transparent manner. These guidelines can easily be used not only by specialists, but also by non-specialists, general clinicians, nurses, pharmacists, clinical engineers, and other healthcare professionals.

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2016 (J-SSCG 2016)

Background and Purpose

The Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2016 (J-SSCG 2016), a Japanese-specific set of clinical practice guidelines for sepsis and septic shock created jointly by the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine and the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine, was first released in February 2017 in Japanese. An English-language version of these guidelines was created based on the contents of the original Japanese-language version.

Methods

Members of the Japanese Society of Intensive Care Medicine and the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine were selected and organized into 19 committee members and 52 working group members. The guidelines were prepared in accordance with the Medical Information Network Distribution Service (Minds) creation procedures. The Academic Guidelines Promotion Team was organized to oversee and provide academic support to the respective activities allocated to each Guideline Creation Team. To improve quality assurance and workflow transparency, a mutual peer review system was established, and discussions within each team were open to the public. Public comments were collected once after the initial formulation of a clinical question (CQ), and twice during the review of the final draft. Recommendations were determined to have been adopted after obtaining support from a two-thirds (>66.6%) majority vote of each of the 19 committee members.

Results

A total of 87 CQs were selected among 19 clinical areas, including pediatric topics and several other important areas not covered in the first edition of the Japanese guidelines (J-SSCG 2012). The approval rate obtained through committee voting, in addition to ratings of the strengths of the recommendation and its supporting evidence were also added to each recommendation statement. We conducted meta-analyses for 29 CQs. Thirty seven CQs contained recommendations in the form of an expert consensus due to insufficient evidence. No recommendations were provided for 5 CQs.

Conclusions

Based on the evidence gathered, we were able to formulate Japanese-specific clinical practice guidelines that are tailored to the Japanese context in a highly transparent manner. These guidelines can easily be used not only by specialists, but also by non-specialists, general clinicians, nurses, pharmacists, clinical engineers, and other healthcare professionals.

The impact of measurement of respiratory quotient by indirect calorimetry on the achievement of nitrogen balance in patients with severe traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated the impact of IC on the optimization of nutritional support and the achievement of +NB in patients with TBI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

27 patients (GCS ≤ 8), treated with a 5-day multimodality monitoring and goal-directed therapy protocol, received enteral nutrition on day 1 followed by IC on days 3 and 5 and assessment of NB on day 7. In the first cohort (n = 11), no adjustment in kcal was made. In the second cohort (n = 16), nutrition was targeted to an RQ of 0.83 by day 3. The first cohort was analyzed with respect to NB status; the second cohort was compared to patients with (-) and +NB of the first cohort. Data (mean ± SD) were analyzed with unpaired t test, and Chi square and Fisher exact tests.

RESULTS

4/11(36 %) patients in the first cohort had +NB. The predicted mortality by TRISS, substrate utilization, and RQ was significantly lower compared to the second cohort. The mortality predicted by the CrasH model did not differ between the two cohorts. A RQ of 0.74 was associated with the preferential use of fat and protein and -NB, whereas a RQ of 0.84 favored utilization of carbohydrates and +NB. All patients whose kcal intake was adjusted based on the RQ on day 3 reached a +NB by day 7.

CONCLUSION

An increase in kcal ≥25 % in patients with a RQ < 0.83 on day 3 improves substrate utilization, decreases protein utilization and optimizes the achievement of +NB by day 7.

Nutrition Support Teams: An Evidence-Based Practice

With the development of specialized nutrition support, an interdisciplinary approach was essential to translating this medical breakthrough from the laboratory to the bedside. As this new innovation was adopted, interdisciplinary nutrition support teams were created to optimize the effectiveness and safety of this therapy. The impact of standardization and the use of an interdisciplinary team to provide specialized nutrition support have been shown to improve outcomes and safety and to have a positive financial impact on healthcare institutions. Yet many hospitals do not have nutrition support teams, and the numbers that do may have decreased. To be effective, nutrition support teams need to practice at an evidence-based level and measure their performance. Nutrition support teams include many of the components of the healthcare delivery system that are advocated for the future, and nutrition support teams should be encouraged as the preferred system of providing specialized nutrition support.

Management of Elevated Intracranial Pressure

Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is a primary cause of morbidity and mortality for many neurologic disorders. The relationship between ICP and brain volume is influenced by autoregulatory processes that can become dysfunctional. As a result, neurologic damage can occur by systemic and intracranial insults such as ischemia and excitatory amino acids. Therefore, survival is dependent on optimizing ICP and cerebral perfusion pressure. Treatment of intracranial hypertension requires intensive monitoring and aggressive therapy. Intracranial pressure monitoring techniques such as intraventricular catheters are useful for determining ICP elevations before changes in vital signs and neurologic status. Therapeutic modalities, generally aimed at reducing cerebral blood volume, brain tissue, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume, include nonpharmacologic (CSF removal, controlled hyperventilation, and elevating the patient’s head) and pharmacologic management. Mannitol and sedation are first-line agents used to lower ICP. Barbiturate coma may be beneficial in patients with elevated ICP refractory to conventional treatment. The use of prophylactic antiseizure therapy and optimal nutrition prevents significant complication. Currently, investigations are directed at discovering useful neuroprotective agents that prevent secondary neurologic injury.

Pharmacokinetic Alterations of Antimicrobials in the Critically Ill

Critical illness is accompanied by multiple physiologic alterations that affect the pharmacokinetics of antimicrobials. Although the pharmacokinetics of a number of antimicrobials have been studied in critically ill individuals, an understanding of the physiological alterations in critical illness and general pharmacokinetic principles of antimicrobials is imperative for appropriate selection, dosing, and prediction of toxicity.

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.

Enteral versus parenteral nutrition in critically ill patients: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Enteral nutrition (EN) is recommended as the preferred route for early nutrition therapy in critically ill adults over parenteral nutrition (PN). A recent large randomized controlled trial (RCT) showed no outcome differences between the two routes. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the effect of the route of nutrition (EN versus PN) on clinical outcomes of critically ill patients.

METHODS

An electronic search from 1980 to 2016 was performed identifying relevant RCTs. Individual trial data were abstracted and methodological quality of included trials scored independently by two reviewers. The primary outcome was overall mortality and secondary outcomes included infectious complications, length of stay (LOS) and mechanical ventilation. Subgroup analyses were performed to examine the treatment effect by dissimilar caloric intakes, year of publication and trial methodology. We performed a test of asymmetry to assess for the presence of publication bias.

RESULTS

A total of 18 RCTs studying 3347 patients met inclusion criteria. Median methodological score was 7 (range, 2-12). No effect on overall mortality was found (1.04, 95 % CI 0.82, 1.33, P = 0.75, heterogeneity I(2) = 11 %). EN compared to PN was associated with a significant reduction in infectious complications (RR 0.64, 95 % CI 0.48, 0.87, P = 0.004, I(2) = 47 %). This was more pronounced in the subgroup of RCTs where the PN group received significantly more calories (RR 0.55, 95 % CI 0.37, 0.82, P = 0.003, I(2) = 0 %), while no effect was seen in trials where EN and PN groups had a similar caloric intake (RR 0.94, 95 % CI 0.80, 1.10, P = 0.44, I(2) = 0 %; test for subgroup differences, P = 0.003). Year of publication and methodological quality did not influence these findings; however, a publication bias may be present as the test of asymmetry was significant (P = 0.003). EN was associated with significant reduction in ICU LOS (weighted mean difference [WMD] -0.80, 95 % CI -1.23, -0.37, P = 0.0003, I(2) = 0 %) while no significant differences in hospital LOS and mechanical ventilation were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

In critically ill patients, the use of EN as compared to PN has no effect on overall mortality but decreases infectious complications and ICU LOS. This may be explained by the benefit of reduced macronutrient intake rather than the enteral route itself.

Energy and protein deficits throughout hospitalization in patients admitted with a traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience considerable energy and protein deficits in the intensive care unit (ICU) and these are associated with adverse outcomes. However, nutrition delivery after ICU discharge during ward-based care, particularly from oral diet, has not been measured. This study aimed to quantify energy and protein delivery and deficits over the entire hospitalization for critically ill TBI patients.

METHODS

Consecutively admitted adult patients with a moderate-severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale 3-12) over 12 months were eligible. Observational data on energy and protein delivered from all routes were collected until hospital discharge or day 90 and compared to dietician prescriptions. Oral intake was quantified using weighed food records on three pre-specified days each week. Data are mean (SD) unless indicated. Cumulative deficit is the mean absolute difference between intake and estimated requirements.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients [45.3 (15.8) years; 87% male; median APACHE II 18 (IQR: 14-22)] were studied for 1512 days. Median duration of ICU and ward-based stay was 13.4 (IQR: 6.4-17.9) and 19.9 (9.6-32.0) days, respectively. Over the entire hospitalization patients had a cumulative deficit of 18,242 (16,642) kcal and 1315 (1028) g protein. Energy and protein intakes were less in ICU than the ward (1798 (800) vs 1980 (915) kcal/day, p = 0.015; 79 (47) vs 89 (41) g/day protein, p = 0.001). Energy deficits were almost two-fold greater in patients exclusively receiving nutrition orally than tube-fed (806 (616) vs 445 (567) kcal/day, p = 0.016) while protein deficits were similar (40 (5) vs 37 (6) g/day, p = 0.616). Primary reasons for interruptions to enteral and oral nutrition were fasting for surgery/procedures and patient-related reasons, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients admitted to ICU with a TBI have energy and protein deficits that persist after ICU discharge, leading to considerable shortfalls over the entire hospitalization. Patients ingesting nutrition orally are at particular risk of energy deficit.

Enteral Nutrition for Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury in the Rehabilitation Setting: Associations With Patient Preinjury and Injury Characteristics and Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association of enteral nutrition (EN) with patient preinjury and injury characteristics and outcomes for patients receiving inpatient rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury (TBI).

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING

Nine rehabilitation centers.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients (N=1701) admitted for first full inpatient rehabilitation after TBI.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

FIM at rehabilitation discharge, length of stay, weight loss, and various infections.

RESULTS

There were many significant differences in preinjury and injury characteristics between patients who received EN and patients who did not. After matching patients with a propensity score of >40% for the likely use of EN, patients receiving EN with either a standard or a high-protein formula (>20% of calories coming from protein) for >25% of their rehabilitation stay had higher FIM motor and cognitive scores at rehabilitation discharge and less weight loss than did patients with similar characteristics not receiving EN.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients receiving inpatient rehabilitation after TBI and matched on a propensity score of >40% for the likely use of EN, clinicians should strongly consider, when possible, EN for ≥25% of the rehabilitation stay and especially with a formula that contains at least 20% protein rather than a standard formula.

Randomized controlled trials in adult traumatic brain injury: a review of compliance to CONSORT statement

OBJECTIVE

To describe the extent to which adherence to Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in adult traumatic brain injury (TBI) has improved over time.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases were searched from inception to September 2013.

STUDY SELECTION

Primary report of RCTs in adult TBI. The quality of reporting on CONSORT checklist items was examined and compared over time. Study selection was conducted by 2 researchers independently. Any disagreements were solved by discussion.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two reviewers independently conducted data extraction based on a set of structured data extraction forms. Data regarding the publication years, size, locations, participation centers, intervention types, intervention groups, and CONSORT checklist items were extracted from the including trials.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Of 105 trials reviewed, 38.1%, 5.7%, and 32.4% investigated drugs, surgical procedures, and rehabilitations as the intervention of interest, respectively. Among reports published between the 2 periods 2002 and 2010 (n=51) and 2011 and September 2013 (n=16), the median sample sizes were 99 and 118; 39.2% and 37.5% of all reports detailed implementation of the randomization process; 60.8% and 43.8% provided information on the method of allocation concealment; 56.9% and 31.3% stated how blinding was achieved; 15.7% and 43.8% reported information regarding trial registration; and only 2.0% and 6.3% stated where the full trial protocol could be accessed, all respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Reporting of several important methodological aspects of RCTs conducted in adult TBI populations improved over the years; however, the quality of reporting remains below an acceptable level. The small sample sizes suggest that many RCTs are likely underpowered. Further improvement is recommended in designing and reporting RCTs.

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.

A reappraisal of nitrogen requirements for patients with critical illness and trauma

BACKGROUND

Studies regarding protein requirements for patients with critical illness are inconclusive owing to small sample size and population heterogeneity. The primary objectives of this study were to determine the amount of protein required to achieve nitrogen equilibrium or a positive nitrogen balance (NB, -4 g/d or better) and ascertain whether patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) exhibit greater protein catabolism than those without TBI.

METHODS

Adult patients admitted to the trauma center, given specialized nutrition support, and had an NB determination within 5 days to 14 days after injury were evaluated. Patients with obesity, incomplete urine collection, kidney disease, corticosteroid or pentobarbital therapy, or an oral diet were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 300 NB determinations from 249 patients were evaluated. Increasing the protein dosage generally resulted in improved NB; however, the data were highly variable. Of the patients who received a protein intake of 2 g/kg per day or greater, 54% achieved nitrogen equilibrium or positive NB (-4 g/d or better) in contrast to 38% and 29% of patients who received 1.5 g/kg per day to 1.99 g/kg per day and 1 g/kg per day to 1.49 g/kg per day, respectively (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in NB between patients with and without TBI at similar protein intakes.

CONCLUSION

A higher protein intake was generally associated with an improved NB; yet, many patients remained having a negative NB. A protein dosage of 2 g/kg per day or greater was more successful in achieving nitrogen equilibrium than were lower-dosage intakes. Patients with TBI do not exhibit significantly greater protein catabolism than do patients without TBI.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic study, level III.

Tolerance to enteral nutrition therapy in traumatic brain injury patients

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the tolerance to enteral nutrition (EN) and the effects of pro-kinetic drugs in critical traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients.

METHODS

Transversal observational study. A total of 32 out of 45 TBI patients of both genders receiving EN were evaluated in a trauma referral hospital intensive care unit (ICU). Data from each patient were collected for a period of 10 consecutive days after initiation of enteral feeding: gastric residue, presence of vomiting, abdominal distension, Glasgow coma scale and the use of pro-kinetic agents.

RESULTS

In 20 of the 32 patients high levels of gastric residue were found. Of these 20 patients, half could not tolerate the diet within the first 72 hours following infusion. However, no association was found between disease severity and occurrence of gastrointestinal complications (p > 0.05). Feeding intolerance was observed in 75.0% (n = 24) of patients, even with the systematic use of metaclopramide from the outset of nutritional therapy. All patients with feeding intolerance who used erythromycin by nasogastric tube showed improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

The high level of gastric residue was the most common feeding intolerance and the delivery of erythromycin by nasogastric tube seems to control gastrointestinal disorders in TBI patients.

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.

When early enteral feeding is not possible in critically ill patients: results of a multicenter observational study

BACKGROUND

Early enteral nutrition (EN) is the preferred strategy for feeding the critically ill; however, it is not always possible to initiate EN within the recommended 24 to 48 hours. When these situations arise, controversy exists whether to start feeding early via the parenteral route or to delay feeding until EN can be provided.

METHODS

A multicenter, international, observational study examined nutrition practices in intensive care units (ICUs). Eligible patients were critically ill patients with a medical diagnosis who remained in the ICU for >72 hours and received EN >48 hours after admission. Data were collected on site, including patient characteristics, daily nutrition practices, and outcomes at 60 days. Nutrition and clinical outcomes were compared between 3 groups of patients: (1) early parenteral nutrition (PN) (<48 hours after admission) and late EN (>48 hours after admission), (2) late PN and late EN, and (3) late EN and no PN.

RESULTS

Of the 703 patients who met our inclusion criteria, 541 (77.0%) medical patients received late EN and no PN. In patients receiving late EN and PN, 83 (11.8%) received early PN and 79 (11.2%) received late PN. Adequacy of calories and protein from total nutrition was highest in the early PN group (74.1% ± 21.2% and 71.5% ± 24.9%, respectively) and lowest in the late EN group (42.9% ± 21.2% and 38.7% ± 21.6%) (P < .001). The proportion of patients dead or remaining in hospital was significantly higher for early PN compared with late EN and PN (unadjusted hazard ratio for early PN = 0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.37-0.83, P = .015). However, this difference did not remain significant (P = .65) after adjustment for baseline characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that initiating PN early, when it is not possible to feed enterally early, may improve provision of calories and protein but is not associated with better clinical outcomes compared with late EN or PN.

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.

Impact of enteral nutrition on nitrogen balance in patients of trauma

BACKGROUND

A prospective study of 50 patients of trauma was carried out at a tertiary level trauma center in Mumbai. The aim was to study the hypermetabolic response to trauma and the effect of early enteral feeding and nutritional supplementation in blunting this response in these patients.

METHODS

Early enteral feeding was started within 72 h in most patients. The caloric requirement was calculated as per the body weight and a 150: 1 ratio of nonprotein calories to protein was maintained. A 24-h urinary nitrogen loss was estimated and nitrogen balance was calculated on days 1, 3 and 7.

RESULTS

The correlation between the injury severity and the severity of catabolism was also analysed. Urinary nitrogen loss and nitrogen balance were used as parameters to evaluate the hypermetabolic response.

CONCLUSIONS

Early (within 72 h) enteral nutritional support blunts this hypermetabolic response to some extent in these trauma patients.

Optimal caloric intake for critically ill patients: first, do no harm

Despite considerable efforts to define energy requirements for critically ill patients, no single method has been found to be precise and unbiased for all patients. As a result, clinicians have used various methods that may overestimate energy requirements for some patients. Provision of target caloric intake without regard to the complications of overfeeding, such as hyperglycemia, hypercapnia, or gastric feeding intolerance, could result in overall detrimental clinical outcome. Inadequate nutrition support is also associated with adverse clinical outcomes that necessitate optimization of delivery and tolerance of the nutrition regimen. A pivotal paper by Krishnan and colleagues published in 2003 brought these issues to the forefront of clinical practice. Key papers that support or refute the practice of "permissive underfeeding" are reviewed. Further research is necessary to determine the minimum amount of nutrition required to achieve a therapeutic benefit as well as to ascertain at what amount of additional nutrition intake offers no further improvement in clinical outcome.

Pediatric rehabilitation: 1. Common medical conditions in children with disabilities

OBJECTIVE

This self-directed learning module focuses on the physiatric management of the common morbidities associated with pediatric traumatic brain injury and cerebral palsy. It is part of the study guide on pediatric rehabilitation in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation and pediatric medicine. The goal of this article is to enhance the learner's knowledge regarding current physiatric management of complications related with pediatric traumatic brain injury and cerebral palsy.

Disparate response to metoclopramide therapy for gastric feeding intolerance in trauma patients with and without traumatic brain injury

Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) have delayed gastric emptying and often require prokinetic drug therapy to improve enteral feeding tolerance. The authors hypothesized that metoclopramide was less efficacious for improving gastric feeding tolerance for trauma patients with TBI compared to trauma patients without TBI. A retrospective analysis was conducted of patients admitted to the trauma or neurosurgical intensive care unit who received gastric feeding from January 2006 to April 2008. Gastric feeding intolerance was defined by a gastric residual volume >200 mL or emesis with abdominal distension or discomfort. Patients with gastric feeding intolerance were given metoclopramide 10 mg intravenously every 6 hours, followed by a dose escalation to 20 mg, and then combination therapy with metoclopramide and erythromycin 250 mg intravenously every 6 hours if intolerance persisted. In total, 882 trauma patients (49% with TBI) were evaluated. TBI patients had a higher incidence of gastric feeding intolerance than those without TBI (18.6% vs 10.4%, P < or = .001). Efficacy rates for metoclopramide 10 mg, metoclopramide 20 mg, and metoclopramide-erythromycin were 55%, 62%, and 79%, respectively (P < or = .03). Metoclopramide failure occurred in 54% of patients with TBI compared to 35% of patients without TBI, respectively (P < or = .02), due to a greater prevalence of tachyphylaxis. Single-drug therapy with metoclopramide was less effective for TBI trauma patients compared to trauma patients without TBI. Combination therapy with erythromycin as first-line therapy for TBI trauma patients with gastric feeding intolerance is indicated if there are no contraindications or significant drug interactions.

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.

Successful enteral nutritional support in the neurocritical care unit

PURPOSE

Adequate caloric intake is associated with improved outcome in neurocritical illness, but factors influencing the provision of enteral nutrition (EN) have not been systematically evaluated. The primary goal of the study was to determine the EN intake of neurosurgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients within the first week of illness and investigate the factors contributing to achieving caloric goals.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort of adult patients admitted to the neurosurgery service (NS) during August 2005-August 2006 were randomly selected and stratified into three groups based on their ICU-admission Glasgow Coma Scale Score (GCS) (GCS > 11, GCS 8-11, GCS 4-7). Daily EN intake, GCS, and other clinical data were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 71 patients were included (GCS > 11 = 23, GCS 8-11 = 23, GCS 4-7 = 25). Admitting diagnoses included traumatic brain injury (TBI) (32%), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) (32%), and intracerebral hemorrhage (17%). The overall in-hospital mortality was 23.9%. Overall, the maximum daily mean calories provided was 1,100 kcal (mean of 55% of caloric goal on hospital day 6). The median time to feeding was approximately 3 days in each group. GCS did not appear to significantly affect the mean % of caloric goal administered in patients with a minimum daily GCS < or = 11 (P = 0.053). Multivariate analysis revealed that clinical care factors, such as time to EN orders and enteral access confirmation, were significant impediments to EN provision (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

System-based clinical care factors appear to have great impact on the successful provision of EN in the first week of neurocritical illness.

Effect of early nutrition on deaths due to severe traumatic brain injury

Object

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a serious public health crisis requiring continuous improvement in pre-hospital and inhospital care. This condition results in a hypermetabolic state that increases systemic and cerebral energy requirements, but achieving adequate nutrition to meet this demand has not been a priority in reducing death due to TBI. The effect of timing and quantity of nutrition on death within the first 2 weeks of injury was analyzed in a large prospective database of adult patients with severe TBI in New York State.

Methods

The study is based on 797 patients with severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score < 9) treated at 22 trauma centers enrolled in a New York State quality improvement program between 2000 and 2006. The inhospital section of the prospectively collected database includes information on age, initial GCS score, weight and height, results of CT scanning, and daily parameters such as pupillary status, arterial hypotension, GCS score, and number of calories fed per day.

Results

Patients who were not fed within 5 and 7 days after TBI had a 2- and 4-fold increased likelihood of death, respectively. The amount of nutrition in the first 5 days was related to death; every 10-kcal/kg decrease in caloric intake was associated with a 30–40% increase in mortality rates. This held up even after controlling for factors known to affect mortality, including arterial hypotension, age, pupillary status, initial GCS score, and CT scan findings.

Conclusions

Nutrition is a significant predictor of death due to TBI. Together with prevention of arterial hypotension, hypoxia, and intracranial hypertension it is one of the few therapeutic interventions that can directly affect TBI outcome.