Prevalence and risk factors of enteral feeding intolerance in critically ill patients and the effectiveness of preventive treatments: A prospective study

Abstract

Background: Feeding intolerance (FI) is a prevalent cause of enteral nutrition (EN) disruption. Factors that can prevent FI are poorly described. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with FI in critically ill patients and the effectiveness of preventive treatments. Patients and Methods: This prospective observational study included critically ill patients admitted to the ICU of a general hospital who received EN through a nasogastric or nasointestinal tube from March 2020 to October 2021. Independent sample t-test, repeated measurement analysis of variance, and multivariate analysis were used to explore independent risk factors and the efficacy of preventive treatments. Results: The study included 200 critically ill patients (mean age: 59.1 ± 17.8 years), of whom 131 were male. Most patients (58.50%) developed FI after a median EN duration of 2 days. The independent risk factors for FI were fasting for >3 days, high APACHE II score, and acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI) grade Ibefore EN (P 3 days, a high APACHE II score, and an AGI grade before EN. Preventive treatments can reduce FI prevalence and result in patients consuming more nutrient solutions and having shorter invasive mechanical ventilation duration. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Registration no: ChiCTR-DOD-16008532.

Keywords

• apache ii
• critical care
• effect factors
• enteral feeding intolerance
• enteral nutrition
• preventive treatments