Assessment of Nutrient Absorption in Enterally Fed Post-intensive Care Unit Patients Using Bomb Calorimetry: do the Calories Stick

Launched by UNIVERSITAIR ZIEKENHUIS BRUSSEL · Apr 4, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how well patients who have recently recovered from an intensive care unit (ICU) stay absorb nutrients when they are fed through a tube. Proper nutrition is very important for recovery, but we need to learn more about how effective tube feeding is for these patients. The researchers will use special methods to measure how much energy from the food is absorbed by the body and how much is lost in stool. This information will help us understand the nutritional needs of these patients better and could lead to improved care and recovery.

To be eligible for the study, participants must be at least 18 years old, have spent at least 7 days in the ICU, and rely entirely on tube feeding. They also need to be able to understand and provide consent in Dutch, French, or English. Those with certain gastrointestinal conditions or specific medication use will not be included. Participants can expect to contribute to important research that aims to make tube feeding more efficient and reduce food waste in hospitals, leading to better health outcomes and more sustainable practices in healthcare.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • age of 18 years or older
• • minimum ICU stay of 7 days
• • fully dependent on enteral feeding (nasogastric or PEG-tube)
• • ability of the patient or representative to understand and sign written informed consent in Dutch, French or English
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • known inflammatory bowel disease
• • known malabsorptive gastrointestinal disease
• • history of small bowel resection
• • concomitant use of serotoninergic or sympathomimetic medications (oa. setrone, tryptans, antidepressants, methylphenidate, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tramadol)