Measuring nutrition‐related outcomes in a cohort of multi‐trauma patients following intensive care unit discharge

Abstract

Functional recovery is an important outcome for those who survive critical illness. The present study aimed to assess nutrition provision and nutrition-related outcomes in a multi-trauma cohort following intensive care unit (ICU) discharge. The present study investigated a prospective cohort of patients discharged from an ICU, who had been admitted because of major trauma and required mechanical ventilation for at least 48h. Nutrition-related outcomes, including body weight, quadriceps muscle layer thickness (QMLT), handgrip strength and subjective global assessment, were recorded on ICU discharge, days 5-7 post-ICU discharge and then weekly until hospital discharge. Nutrition intake was recorded for 5days post-ICU discharge. Unless otherwise stated, data are presented as the mean (SD). Twenty-eight patients [75% males, 55 (22.5)years] were included. Intake met 64% (28%) of estimated energy and 72% (32%) of protein requirements over the 5days post-ICU discharge, which was similar to over the ICU admission. From ICU admission to hospital discharge, the mean reduction in weight was 4.2kg (95% confidence interval=2.2-6.3, P<0.001) and after ICU discharge, the mean reduction in weight and QMLT was 2.6kg (95% confidence interval=1.0-4.2, P=0.004) and 0.23cm (95% confidence interval=0.06-0.4, P=0.01), respectively. Patients received less energy and protein than estimated requirements after ICU discharge. Weight loss and reduction in QMLT also occurred during this period.