Adequacy of Oral Intake in Critically Ill Patients 1 Week After Extubation

Hospital malnutrition is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, particularly among patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). The purpose of this observational study (August to November 2007) was to examine the adequacy of oral intake and to identify predictors of oral intake after ICU patients were removed from invasive mechanical ventilation. Patients aged > or = 18 years who required mechanical ventilation for at least 24 hours, advanced to an oral diet postextubation, and did not require supplemental enteral or parenteral nutrition were included. The first 7 days of oral intake after extubation were assessed via modified multiple-pass 24-hour recall and the numbers of days on therapeutic diets and reasons for decreased intake were collected. Oral intake <75% of daily requirements was considered inadequate. Descriptive statistics, chi2, Student t tests, and logistic regression analyses were conducted. Of the 64 patients who met eligibility criteria, 50 were included. Of these 50 patients, 54% were women and intubated for 5.2 days, with a mean age of 59.1 years, body mass index of 28.7, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score of 21.9. Subjective Global Assessment determined 44% were malnourished upon admission to the ICU. The average daily energy and protein intake failed to exceed 50% of daily requirements on all 7 days for the entire population. The majority of patients who consumed <75% of daily requirements were prescribed a therapeutic diet and/or identified "no appetite" and nausea/vomiting as the barriers to eating. Although more research is needed, these data call into question the use of restrictive oral diets and suggest that alternative medical nutrition therapies are needed to optimize nutrient intake in this unique patient population.