Effects of early enteral nutrition on the prognosis of patients with sepsis: Secondary analysis of acute gastrointestinal injury study

Abstract

Background: The time of enteral nutrition (EN) administration on patients with sepsis is controversial. The study was to explore the effect of early enteral nutrition (EEN) on the prognosis of patients with sepsis. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of the acute gastrointestinal injury grade study. The patients were divided into two groups from the time of EN administration: EEN group (n=85): EN within 24 hours; Control group (N=78): EN after 24 hours. The key observation was the length of ICU stay, and length of hospital stay, and 28-and 60-day mortality. Results: Of 676 patients, 163 were included. There are no significant between-group differences in the characteristics at baseline. The overall mortality rate at 28 days in the EEN group was 28.2% vs. 43.6% in the control group (P=0.041). The mortality rate at 60 days in the EEN group was 36.5% vs. 52.6% in the control group (P=0.039). In a subgroup analysis of patients who whether used vasoactive drugs: the EEN group was found to be significantly associated with 60-day mortality (P=0.039). The ICU stay length in the EEN group was longer than in the control group {11 [8–22] vs. 10 [6–16]; P=0.022}. Also, the length of the hospital stay was longer than in the Control group {23 [14–53] vs. 18 [10–39]; P=0.023}. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that EEN, using vasoactive drugs, Acute kidney injury (AKI), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score, and the global acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI) grade were significantly (P<0.05) associated with 60-day mortality. In a multivariate analysis including these variables, EEN (HR1.68, 95% CI: 1.02–2.62; P=0.040, global AGI grade (HR2.28, 95% CI: 1.30–4.00; P=0.004), and APACHE II score (HR 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01–1.07; P=0.021) were independently associated with 60-day mortality. Conclusions: EEN within 24 hours can improve the survival of patients with sepsis, and that is an independent prognostic factor.