Effect of Early Enteral Nutrition Combined with Probiotics on the Nutritional Status of Patients with Severe Craniocerebral Injury

Objective:To observe the effect of early enteral nutrition combined with probiotics on the nutritional status of patients with severe craniocerebral injury.Methods:Thirty-five patients with severe craniocerebral injury were divided into the study group(17 patients)and the control group(18 patients)according to the method of a randomized numerical table;both groups of patients started enteral nutrition via nasogastric tube within 24–48 hours after admission to the hospital,and probiotics were given in addition to the study group.Hemoglobin,total plasma protein,albumin,prealbumin,cholinesterase,fasting blood glucose,and other indexes were monitored before and early morning after enteral nutrition support,and upper arm circumference(AC),triceps skinfold thickness(TSF),and upper arm muscle circumference(AMC)were measured,and gastrointestinal response and time to first defecation of the patients were observed and compared with GCS score.Results:The hemoglobin,serum albumin,prealbumin,cholinesterase,and total plasma protein levels in the study group were significantly higher and fasting blood glucose levels were significantly lower than those in the control group after treatment(P<0.05).The incidence of reflux and constipation in the study group was lower than that in the control group,and the time to first defecation was shorter than that in the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,AC,TSF,and AMC were higher in the study group than in the control group(P<0.05).GCS scores were significantly higher in both groups after treatment,but the trend was more pronounced in the study group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Compared with simple enteral nutrition,enteral nutrition combined with probiotics can better correct metabolic disorders after heavy craniocerebral injury and improve the nutritional status of patients.

Effect of Sequential Early Enteral Nutrition on Postoperative Rehabilitation and Complications in Gastric Cancer Patients

Objective:To analyze the effect of sequential early enteral nutrition in patients with gastric cancer after surgery.Methods:A total of 139 gastric cancer patients,treated between October 2021 and October 2023,were randomly selected and divided into two groups:Group A(68 cases,receiving early enteral nutrition)and Group B(71 cases,receiving sequential early enteral nutrition),using computer randomization.The effects of the interventions on both groups were compared.Results:Seven days post-operation,the levels of nutritional indicators in Group B were significantly higher than those in Group A(P<0.05).Group B showed significantly better levels of inflammatory factors and immune factors compared to Group A seven days post-operation(P<0.05).The postoperative complication rate in Group B was 4.23%,2 significantly lower than that in Group A,which was 16.18%(χ=5.477,P=0.019).Conclusion:The utilization of sequential early enteral nutrition in gastric cancer patients after surgery demonstrated notable improvements in nutritional status and inflammation markers,along with enhanced immunity,effectively reducing postoperative complications.

A Study on the Effect of Staged Enteral Nutrition Health Education on the Rehabilitation of Patients with Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Objective:To analyze the influence of stage-specific enteral nutrition health education on the rehabilitation outcomes of patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding(UGIB).Methods:A total of 120 patients with UGIB,treated between August 2021 and August 2023,were randomly divided into two groups:the observation group and the control group.The control group received standard enteral nutrition nursing intervention,while the observation group received an additional stage-specific enteral nutrition health education intervention based on the control group’s method.The intervention status of the two groups was then evaluated.Results:Before the intervention,the serum hemoglobin levels of the two groups were comparable(P>0.05).After the intervention,the nutritional indicators in the observation group improved significantly and were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).Additionally,the observation group had shorter bed activity times and hospitalization periods,a lower rate of abandonment of nutritional preparations,and a higher quality of life compared to the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The implementation of stage-specific enteral nutrition health education in the treatment of patients with UGIB helps accelerate the rate of recovery,improve nutritional indexes,and enhance the quality of life of patients.

Clinical Evaluation of Enteral Nutrition+Probiotics in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Dysfunction After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective:To evaluate the therapeutic effect of enteral nutrition+probiotics in patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction after severe craniocerebral injury.Methods:From September 2018 to February 2023,80 patients(20-82 years old)with gastrointestinal dysfunction who were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at the Third People’s Hospital of Xining were included in the study.Their primary condition was severe craniocerebral injury,and all of them received conventional symptomatic treatment.Group A received enteral nutrition+probiotic therapy,whereas group B received enteral nutrition only.The differences in the following indicators were compared before and after treatment:nutritional and biochemical indicators,gastrointestinal function indicators,Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS),Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(SOFA),APACHE II score,serum procalcitonin(PCT),neutrophil(N)ratio,and C reactive protein(CRP).Result:The nutritional and biochemical indicators in group A were higher than those in group B,P<0.05;the time to first passage of flatus,time to first passage of stool,and bowel sound recovery time in group A were shorter than those in group B,P<0.05;the GCS of group A was higher than that of group B,P<0.05;the SOFA and APACHEⅡscores of group A were not different from those of group B,P>0.05;and the PCT,N ratio,and CRP levels of group A were lower than those of group B,P<0.05.Conclusion:In patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction after severe craniocerebral injury,enteral nutrition+probiotic therapy is highly effective and feasible,as it can optimize various nutritional indicators,shorten the gastrointestinal function recovery time,and reduce the body’s stress response.

Examining the impact of early enteral nutritional support on postoperative recovery in patients undergoing surgical treatment for gastrointestinal neoplasms

BACKGROUND Patients with gastrointestinal tumors often suffer from poor nutritional status during treatment.Surgery is the main treatment for these patients,but the long postoperative recovery period is often accompanied by digestive and absorption dysfunction,leading to further deterioration of the nutritional status.Early enteral nutrition support is hypothesized to be helpful in improving this situation,but the exact effects have yet to be studied in depth.AIM To observe the effect of early enteral nutritional support on postoperative recovery in patients with surgically treated gastrointestinal tract tumors,with the expectation that by improving the nutritional status of patients,the recovery process would be accelerated and the incidence of complications would be reduced,thus improving the quality of life.METHODS A retrospective analysis of 121 patients with gastrointestinal tract tumors treated in our hospital from January 2020 to January 2023 was performed.Fifty-three of these patients received complete parenteral nutrition support as the control group for this study.The other 68 patients received early enteral nutritional support as the observation group of this study.The clinical indicators comparing the two groups included time to fever,time to recovery of postoperative bowel function,time to postoperative exhaustion,and length of hospital stay.The changes in immune function and nutritional indexes in the two groups were compared.Furthermore,we utilized the SF-36 scale to compare the changes in the quality of life between the two groups of patients.Finally,the occurrence of postoperative complications between the two patient groups was also compared.RESULTS The postoperative fever time,postoperative bowel function recovery time,postoperative exhaustion time,and hospitalization time were all higher in the control group than in the observation group(P<0.05).The levels of CD3+,CD4+,immunoglobulin(Ig)A,IgM,and IgG in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group at 1 d and 7 d postoperatively,while CD8+was lower than in the control group(P<0.05).Total protein,albumin,prealbumin,and transferrin levels were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group at 7 d postoperatively(P<0.05).The SF-36 scores of patients in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.0001).The overall incidence of adverse reactions after the intervention was significantly lower in the control group than in the observation group(P=0.021).CONCLUSION We found that patients with gastrointestinal tumors are nutritionally vulnerable,and early enteral nutrition support programs can improve the nutritional status of patients and speed up postoperative recovery.This program can not only improve the immune function of the patient and protect the intestinal function,but it can also help to improve the quality of life of the patient.However,this program will increase the incidence of complications in patients.Caution should be taken when adopting early enteral nutrition support measures for patients with gastric cancer.The patient's condition and physical condition should be comprehensively evaluated and closely monitored to prevent possible complications.

Application of early enteral nutrition nursing based on enhanced recovery after surgery theory in patients with digestive surgery

BACKGROUND Postoperative nursing can improve the restlessness and gastrointestinal function of patients with tracheal intubation under general anesthesia in digestive surgery.Wide application of various nursing methods and routine nursing in periop-erative nursing of patients with general anesthesia in digestive surgery.AIM To investigate the impact of early postoperative enteral nutrition nursing based on the enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS)theory on postoperative agitation and gastrointestinal recovery in patients undergoing general anesthesia that experienced tracheal intubation.METHODS The data of 126 patients with digestive surgery from May 2019 to February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.According to different nursing methods,they were divided into control group and observation group,with 63 cases in observation group and 63 cases in control group.The patients in the control group had standard perioperative nursing care,whereas those in the observation group got enteral nourishment as soon as possible after surgery in accordance with ERAS theory.Both the rate and quality of gastrointestinal function recovery were compared between the two groups after treatment ended.Postoperative anes-thesia-related adverse events were tallied,patients'nutritional statuses were monitored,and the Riker sedation and agitation score(SAS)was used to measure the incidence of agitation.RESULTS When compared to the control group,the awake duration,spontaneous breathing recovery time,extubation time and postoperative eye-opening time were all considerably shorter(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the recovery time of orientation force between the two groups(P>0.05);however,the observation group had a lower SAS score than the control group(P<0.05).The recovery time for normal intestinal sounds,the time it took to have the first postoperative exhaust,the time it took to have the first postoperative defecation,and the time it took to have the first postoperative half-fluid feeding were all faster in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05);Fasting blood glucose was lower in the observation group compared to the control group(P<0.05),while the albumin and hemoglobin levels were higher on the first and third postoperative days;however,there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of anesthesia-related adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION The extremely early postoperative enteral nutrition nursing based on ERAS theory can reduce the degree of agitation,improve the quality of recovery,promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function,and improve the nutritional status of patients in the recovery period after tracheal intubation under general anesthesia.

Prescription and Delivery of Enteral Nutrition for ICU Patients: A Case Study of a Hospital in the Interior of Brazil

Background: The objective of the present study was to evaluate during one year the total delivery of volume, calories, and proteins and compare them with the total prescribed to ICU patients using ENT (Enteral Nutrition Therapy) exclusively. Methods: Data on the prescribed or infused volume, calories, and protein, as well as their respective needs for each individual, were collected. Anthropometric parameters and age data were also collected from the medical records of 41 patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Results: Prescribed versus infused enteral diet volume was presented in 5 weeks which corresponds to the maximum duration of ICU treatment. Regarding sampling, the majority corresponded to elderly people (>64 years old) and males (63.4%). The total average prescribed was 719.2 mL of enteral diet on an average of 649.7 mL delivered. In addition, there was no significant difference between the prescribed and delivered volume, caloric value, and protein content of the diet only in the last week of hospitalization, which corresponded to the range of 29 - 36 days. Several factors make it difficult to reach the patient’s caloric and protein recommendations. Most of the reasons are not recorded, corresponding to 57.1%, indicating the difficulty of assessing the inadequacy of the prescribed and delivered volume. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first time that a prescription vs. delivery assessment has been carried out for patients in the Brazilian Midwest. In addition, although our research is a difficulty reported worldwide (in most hospitals), we also provide opportunities for how the problem was solved in our case, which may contribute to other cases.

Eff ects of early standardized enteral nutrition on preventing acute muscle loss in the acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with mechanical ventilation

BACKGROUND:To investigate the eff ects of early standardized enteral nutrition(EN)on the crosssectional area of erector spine muscle(ESMcsa),plasma growth diff erentiation factor-15(GDF-15),and 28-day mortality of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)patients with invasive mechanical ventilation(MV).METHODS:A total of 97 AECOPD patients with invasive MV were screened in the ICUs of the First People's Hospital of Lianyungang.The conventional EN group(stage Ⅰ)and early standardized EN group(stage Ⅱ)included 46 and 51 patients,respectively.ESMcsa loss and GDF-15 levels on days 1 and 7 of ICU admission and 28-day survival rates were analyzed.RESULTS:On day 7,the ESMcsa of the early standardized EN group was significantly higher than that of the conventional EN group,while the plasma GDF-15 levels were significantly lower than those in the conventional EN group(ESMcsa:28.426±6.130 cm^(2) vs.25.205±6.127 cm^(2);GDF-15:1661.608±558.820 pg/mL vs.2541.000±634.845 pg/mL;all P<0.001).The 28-day survival rates of the patients in the early standardized EN group and conventional EN group were 80.40%and 73.90%,respectively(P=0.406).CONCLUSION:ESMcsa loss in AECOPD patients with MV was correlated with GDF-15 levels,both of which indicated acute muscular atrophy and skeletal muscle dysfunction.Early standardized EN may prevent acute muscle loss and intensive care unit-acquired weakness(ICU-AW)in AECOPD patients.

Effect of postoperative early enteral nutrition on clinical outcomes and immune function of cholangiocarcinoma patients with malignant obstructive jaundice

BACKGROUND Most cholangiocarcinoma patients with malignant obstructive jaundice(MOJ)have varying degrees of malnutrition and immunodeficiency preoperatively.Therefore,perioperative nutritional support has important clinical significance in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma.AIM To investigate the effects of postoperative early enteral nutrition(EEN)on immunity function and clinical outcomes of cholangiocarcinoma patients with MOJ.METHODS This prospective clinical study included 60 cholangiocarcinoma patients with MOJ who underwent surgery.The patients were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group according to the nutrition support modes.The control group received postoperative total parenteral nutrition(TPN),whereas the experimental group received postoperative EEN and parenteral nutrition(PN;EEN+PN).The clinical outcomes,postoperative immune function,incidences of surgical site infection and bile leakage,intestinal function recovery time,average hospitalization days,and hospitalization expenses of the two groups were assessed on postoperative days(PODs)1,3,and 7.RESULTS The CD3+T,CD4+T,CD8+T,and CD4+T/CD8+T cell count and the immunoglobulin(Ig)G,IgM,and IgA levels in the EEN+PN group were significantly higher than those in the TPN group on PODs 3 and 7(P<0.05),whereas no significant differences in the CD3+T,CD4+T,CD8+T,and CD4+T/CD8+T cell counts and IgG,IgM,and IgA levels before operation and on POD 1 were found between the two groups(P>0.05).The intestinal function recovery time and postoperative hospital stay were shorter(P<0.001 for both)in the EEN+PN group than in the TPN group.The hospitalization expenses of the EEN+PN group were lower than those of the TPN group(P<0.001).However,the incidence of abdominal distension was higher than in the EEN+PN group than in the TPN group(P<0.05).The incidence rates of biliary leakage and surgical site infection were not significantly different between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION A postoperative EEN program could reduce the incidence of postoperative complications and improve the clinical outcomes and immune functions of cholangiocarcinoma patients with MOJ and is thus beneficial to patient recovery.

Application of Early Enteral Nutrition in Critically Ill Children

Objective: The objective is to investigate the incidence of moderate and severe malnutrition in children in intensive care units, and to analyze the safety and clinical efficacy of early enteral nutrition therapy in critically ill children. Methods: A total of 80 children hospitalized in the pediatric care unit meeting the inclusion criteria were selected and general data were collected, including 48 in the early enteral nutrition (EEN) group and 32 in the late EN group. The two groups were compared in the incidence of moderate to severe malnutrition, feeding tolerance, length of stay in ICU, total length of stay, changes in blood routine and biochemical indicators. Results: After 1 week in ICU, the feeding tolerance of the treatment group was better than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The average length of stay in ICU and total length of stay in the treatment group were shorter than those in the control group (P < 0.05). After 1 week of comprehensive treatment (anti-infection and EEN), the total number of WBC, absolute value of neutrophil and C-reactive protein in peripheral blood of the treatment group were decreased (P < 0.01), which was significantly lower than that of the control group with bacterial infection (P < 0.01). After 1 week of treatment in ICU, serum prealbumin in treatment group was significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.05), but serum albumin was not significantly higher (P > 0.05). The rate of moderate to severe malnutrition at discharge was lower in the treatment group than at admission to the ICU (17 cases vs. 20 cases, 35.4% vs. 41.7%), but higher in the control group (19 cases vs. 16 cases, 59.4% vs. 50.0%). Conclusion: Malnutrition is prevalent in children treated in pediatric intensive care units. Early enteral nutrition therapy for critically ill children is safe and effective, that can significantly improve the nutritional status of critically ill children, reduce inflammatory response, and shorten the hospital stay.

The Impact of Rate of Feeding Advancement after Early Initiation of Enteral Nutrition in Critically Ill, Underweight Patients: A Single-Center Retrospective Chart Review

Background: The optimal rate of feeding advancement after initiation of early enteral nutrition (EEN) for underweight, critically ill patients is unknown. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with a body mass index (BMI) < 20.0 kg/m2. Patients were categorized into Group R, which reached the energy target within 3 days of EEN initiation, and Group S, which reached the energy target 4 or more days after EEN initiation. Results: A total of 65 patients with a median age of 73 years were included in the study. No significant differences were observed between the two groups for all-cause mortality, ICU-free days, or length of hospital stay. Ventilator-free days (VFDs) were significantly fewer in Group R than in Group S (18.0 [0.0 - 22.0] vs. 21.0 [16.3 - 24.8] days;P = 0.046). A significantly higher number of patients requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) at hospital discharge were observed in Group R than in Group S (29% vs. 8%;P = 0.030). Multivariable analyses with adjustment for confounders found that days required to reach target energy intake after EEN initiation were significantly and independently associated with the requirement for MV at hospital discharge, but not with VFDs. Conclusion: A slow rate of feeding advancement after initiation of EEN in critically ill patients having a BMI of <20.0 kg/m2 might be associated with a reduced requirement for MV at hospital discharge. These results require confirmation in a large multicenter trial of underweight, critically ill patients.

Impact of Three-month Home Enteral Nutritional Supplementation on the Nutritional Status of Patients with Malignancy

Objective We analysed the impact of home nutritional interventions on the nutritional risk and the incidence and severity of malnutrition in patients with malignancy.Methods In this prospective interventional study,we recruited 60 patients with malignancy who were at nutritional risk(NRS 2002≥3 scores).These patients were given home enteral nutritional supplementation(HES)for 3 months.The HES included nutritional counselling,oral nutritional supplements(ONS)and tube feeding.The incidence and severity of nutritional risk and malnutrition,as well as the body composition and results of routine blood tests,were compared before and after the intervention.Results A total of 58 patients completed the study.After three months of home enteral nutritional intervention,the incidence and severity of nutritional risk and malnutrition were significantly reduced(the NRS 2002 score was reduced from 3 to 1,the PG-SGA score was reduced from 8.00 to 3.00,P<0.05).The patients’body mass index(BMI)and upper arm circumference increased(P<0.05),the muscle mass,appendicular skeletal muscle mass index(ASMI)and phase angle(PA)increased(P<0.05).The serum albumin,pre-albumin and haemoglobin levels increased significantly,while the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio(NLR)and platelet/lymphocyte ratio(PLR)decreased significantly(P<0.05).The incidence of hypoproteinaemia and anaemia also decreased significantly(P<0.05).Conclusion HES can effectively improve the nutritional status of patients and reduce the risk and severity of malnutrition.

Effects of early enteral nutrition on immune function of severe acute pancreatitis patients

AIM:To investigate the effects of early enteral nutrition (EEN) on the immune function and clinical outcome of patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).METHODS:Patients were randomly allocated to receive EEN or delayed enteral nutrition (DEN).Enteral nutrition was started within 48 h after admission in EEN group,whereas from the 8 th day in DEN group.All the immunologic parameters and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were collected on days 1,3,7 and 14 after admission.The clinical outcome variables were also recorded.RESULTS:Sixty SAP patients were enrolled to this study.The CD4+ T-lymphocyte percentage,CD4+/CD8+ ratio,and the CRP levels in EEN group became significantly lower than in DEN group from the 7 th day after admission.In contrast,the immunoglobulin G(IgG) levels and human leukocyte antigen-DR expression in EEN group became significantly higher than in DEN group from the 7 th day after admission.No difference of CD8+ T-lymphocyte percentage,IgM and IgA levels was found between the two groups.The incidences of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome,systemic inflammatory response syndrome,and pancreatic infection as well as the duration of intensive care unit stay were significantly lower in EEN group than in DEN group.However,there was no difference of hospital mortality between the two groups.CONCLUSION:EEN moderates the excessive immune response during the early stage of SAP without leading to subsequent immunosuppression.EEN can improve the clinical outcome,but not decrease the hospital mortality of SAP patients.

Effect of early enteral nutrition on postoperative nutritional status and immune function in elderly patients with esophageal cancer or cardiac cancer

To explore the effect of early enteral nutrition （EN） on postoperative nutritional status, intestinal permeability, and immune 6anction in elderly patients with esophageal cancer or cardiac cancer. Methods： A total of 96 patients with esophageal cancer or cardiac cancer who underwent surgical treatment in our hospital from June 2007 to December 2010 were enrolled in this study. They were divided into EN group （n=50） and parenteral nutrition （PN） group （n=46） based on the nutrition support modes. The body weight, time to first flatus/defecation, average hospital stay, complications and mortality after the surgery as well as the liver function indicators were recorded and analyzed. Peripheral blood samples were collected on the days 1, 4 and 7 after surgery. The plasma diamine oxidase （DAO） activity and D-lactate level were determined to assess the intestinal permeability. The plasma endotoxin levels were determined using dynamic turbidimetric assay to assess the protective effect of EN on intestinal mucosal barrier. The postoperative blood levels of inflammatory cytokines and immunoglobulins were determined using enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Results： After the surgery, the time to first flatus/defecation, average hospital stay, and complications were significantly less in the EN group than those in the PN group （P〈0.05）, whereas the EN group had significantly higher albumin levels than the PN group （P〈0.05）. On the 7th postoperative day, the DAO activity, D-lactate level and endotoxin contents were significantly lower in the EN group than those in the PN group （all P〈0.05）. In addition, the EN group had significantly higher IgA, IgG, IgM, and CD4 levels than the PN group （P〈0.05） but significantly lower IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-a levels （P〈0.05）. Conclusions： In elderly patients with esophageal cancer or cardiac cancer, early EN after surgery can effectively improve the nutritional status, protect intestinal mucosal barrier （by reducing plasma endoxins）, and enhance the immune function

Effects of early enteral nutrition on Th17/Treg cells and IL-23/IL-17 in septic patients

BACKGROUND The imbalance of Th17/Treg cells and the IL-23/IL-17 axis have been confirmed to be associated with sepsis and various inflammatory diseases. Early enteral nutrition (EEN) can modulate the inflammatory response, improve immune dysfunction, and prevent enterogenic infection in critically ill patients;however, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. Considering the important roles of Th17 and Treg lymphocytes in the development of inflammatory and infectious diseases, we hypothesized that EEN could improve the immune dysfunction in sepsis by maintaining a balanced Th17/Treg cell ratio and by regulating the IL- 23/IL-17 axis. AIM To investigate the effects of EEN on the Th17/Treg cell ratios and the IL-23/IL-17 axis in septic patients. METHODS In this prospective clinical trial, patients were randomly divided into an EEN or delayed enteral nutrition (DEN) group. Enteral feeding was started within 48 h in the EEN group, whereas enteral feeding was started on the 4th day in the DEN group. The Th17 and Treg cell percentages and the interleukin levels were tested on days 1, 3, and 7 after admission. The clinical severity and outcome variables were also recorded. RESULTS Fifty-three patients were enrolled in this trial from October 2017 to June 2018. The Th17 cell percentages, Th17/Treg cell ratios, IL-17, IL-23, and IL-6 levels of the EEN group were lower than those of the DEN group on the 7th day after admission (P < 0.05). The duration of mechanical ventilation and of the intensive care unit stay of the EEN group were shorter than those of the DEN group (P <0.05). However, no difference in the 28-d mortality was found between the two groups (P = 0.728). CONCLUSION EEN could regulate the imbalance of Th17/Treg cell ratios and suppress the IL- 23/IL-17 axis during sepsis. Moreover, EEN could reduce the clinical severity of sepsis but did not reduce the 28-d mortality of septic patients.

Fiber and prebiotic supplementation in enteral nutrition:A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM:To investigate fiber and prebiotic supplementation of enteral nutrition(EN) for diarrhea,fecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs).METHODS:MEDLINE,EMBASE,Cochrane Library,CINAHL,Academic Search Premier,and Web of Science databases were searched for human experimental and observational cohort studies conducted between January 1990 and June 2014.The keywords used for the literature search were fiber,prebiotics and enteral nutrition.English language studies with adult patient populations on exclusive EN were selected.Abstracts and/or full texts of selected studies were reviewed and agreed upon by two independent researchers for inclusion in the meta-analysis.Tools used for the quality assessment were Jadad Scale and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network Critical Appraisal of the Medical Literature.RESULTS:A total of 456 possible articles were retrieved,and 430 were excluded due to lack of appropriate data.Of the 26 remaining studies,only eight investigated the effects of prebiotics.Results of the meta-analysis indicated that overall,fiber reduces diarrhea in patients receiving EN(OR = 0.47;95%CI:0.29-0.77;P = 0.02).Subgroup analysis revealed a positive effect of fiber supplementation in EN towards diarrhea in stable patients(OR = 0.31;95%CI:0.19-0.51;P < 0.01),but not in critically ill patients(OR = 0.89;95%CI:0.41-1.92;P = 0.77).Prebiotic supplementation in EN does not improve the incidence of diarrhea despite its manipulative effect on bifidobacteria concentrations and SCFA in healthy humans.In addition,the effect of fiber and/or prebiotic supplementation towards fecal microbiota and SCFA remain disputable.CONCLUSION:Fiber helps minimize diarrhea in patients receiving EN,particularly in non-critically ill patients.However,the effect of prebiotics in moderating diarrhea is inconclusive.

Early enteral nutrition vs parenteral nutrition following pancreaticoduodenectomy: Experience from a single center

AIM: To analyze and compare postoperative morbidity between patients receiving total parenteral nutrition(TPN) and early enteral nutrition supplemented with parenteral nutrition(EEN + PN).METHODS: Three hundred and forty patients receiving pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD) from 2009 to 2013 at our center were enrolled retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups depending on postoperative nutrition support scheme: an EEN + PN group(n = 87) and a TPN group(n = 253). Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, preoperative biochemicalparameters, pathological diagnosis, intraoperative information, and postoperative complications of the two groups were analyzed. RESULTS: The two groups did not differ in demographic characteristics, preoperative comorbidities, preoperative biochemical parameters or pathological findings(P > 0.05 for all). However, patients with EEN + PN following PD had a higher incidence of delayed gastric emptying(16.1% vs 6.7%, P = 0.016), pulmonary infection(10.3% vs 3.6%, P = 0.024), and probably intraperitoneal infection(18.4% vs 10.3%, P = 0.059), which might account for their longer nasogastric tube retention time(9 d vs 5 d, P = 0.006), postoperative hospital stay(25 d vs 20 d, P = 0.055) and higher hospitalization expenses(USD10397 vs USD8663.9, P = 0.008), compared to those with TPN.CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that TPN might be safe and sufficient for patient recovery after PD. Postoperative EEN should only be performed scrupulously and selectively.

Use of exclusive enteral nutrition in adults with Crohn's disease: A review

Exclusive enteral nutrition(EEN)is well-established as a first line therapy instead of corticosteroid(CS)therapy to treat active Crohn’s disease(CD)in children.It also has been shown to have benefits over and above induction of disease remission in paediatric populations.However,other than in Japanese populations,this intervention is not routinely utilised in adults.To investigate potential reasons for variation in response between adult studies of EEN and CS therapy.The Ovid database was searched over a 6-mo period.Articles directly comparing EEN and CS therapy in adults were included.Eleven articles were identified.EEN therapy remission rates varied considerably.Poor compliance with EEN therapy due to unpalatable formula was an issue in half of the studies.Remission rates of studies that only included patients with previously untreated/new CD were higher than studies including patients with both existing and new disease.There was limited evidence to determine if disease location,duration of disease or age of diagnosis affected EEN therapy outcomes.There is some evidence to support the use of EEN as a treatment option for a select group of adults,namely those motivated to adhere to an EEN regimen and possibly those newly diagnosed with CD.In addition,the use of more palatable formulas could improve treatment compliance.

Modified B-ultrasound method for measurement of antral section only to assess gastric function and guide enteral nutrition in critically ill patients

AIM To establish a modified B-ultrasound method of measuring the antral section only to assess gastric motility in healthy people,and evaluate its application in guiding enteral nutrition(EN) in critically ill patients. METHODS First,30 healthy volunteers were selected. The modified B-ultrasound method and the traditional B-ultrasound method were applied to assess gastric function. The correlation of indices of gastric function between the two groups was analyzed statistically. In addition,64 critically ill patients were selected,and the modified B-ultrasound method and the gastric juice withdrawal method were applied to guide the implementation of EN. Daily caloric value,the time required to achieve complete EN,ICU stay,hospitalization time,and serum prealbumin and albumin levels were recorded and compared between the two groups. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to compare the complications of EN between the two groups. RESULTS In healthy subjects,there was a good correlation among gastric emptying time,antral contraction frequency andantral motility index between the two groups(r = 0.57,0.61 and 0.54,respectively). The study on critically ill patients also revealed that a better effect of EN was achieved in the modified B-ultrasound method group,in which patients had shorter ICU stay and hospitalization time and higher levels of serum prealbumin and albumin. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that the improved B-ultrasound method was associated with significantly fewer EN complications(P = 0.031).CONCLUSION The modified B-ultrasound method can provide a good real-time assessment of gastric function and has a better effect than the traditional method in guiding EN in critically ill patients.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy combined with enteral nutrition support:a radical treatment strategy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients with malignant istulae

Background: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy(CCRT) significantly increases the survival rate of esophageal squa?mous cell carcinoma(ESCC) patients with malignant fistulae. Recent clinical evidence has shown the benefits of enteral nutrition for malnourished cancer patients. In this study, we aimed to validate that, with the support of enteral nutrition, ESCC patients who develop malignant fistulae might be able to complete CCRT and achieve long?term survival.Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 652 patients with ESCC who received definitive CCRT at Sun Yat?sen University Cancer Center between January 2010 and December 2012. Treatment outcome and toxicity were ret?rospectively evaluated in 40 ESCC patients with malignant fistulae. All the 40 patients were treated with CCRT and evaluated by clinical nutritionists using nutrition risk screening(NRS) before, during, and after treatment. Twenty?two patients received a nasogastric tube, and 18 underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding. The median energy intake was 2166 kcal/day. Treatment response was evaluated at 3 months after the completion of CCRT.Results: With a median follow?up of 18 months(range, 3–39 months), patients' 1?year overall survival(OS) rate was 62.5%, and the estimated OS time was 25.5 months. Univariate analysis showed that the NRS score(P n NRS score(P se to treatment(P < 0.001) were sig= 0.003), increase i= 0.024), fistula closure(P = 0.011), and responnifi?cantly associated with OS. Multivariate analysis showed that tumor response(P = 0.044) and increase in NRS score(P = 0.044) were independent predictors of OS. Grade 3 vomiting was observed in 8 patients(20.0%), grade 3 neutro?penia was observed in 11 patients(27.5%), and grade 3 cough was observed in 13 patients(32.5%); 2 patients(5.0%) died of massive bleeding during treatment.Conclusions: CCRT combined with enteral nutrition support is effective for ESCC patients with malignant fistulae. Patients have an increased potential to be cured, especially those who experience complete response and have an increase in NRS score. Careful observation and nutrition support are required for patients with advanced T?category ESCC who undergo CCRT.