Clinical benefits of an immune-enhancing diet for early postinjury enteral feeding.
In this multicenter prospective controlled trial, 98 evaluable patients sustaining major torso trauma were randomized to receive early enteral nutrition with a new "immune-enhancing" diet (study: n = 51) or a standard stress enteral formula (control: n = 47). At baseline, both groups had comparable demographics and Injury Severity Scores. After 7 days of feeding, the groups had equivalent increases in serum total protein, albumin, and transferrin concentrations. Patients receiving the "immune-enhancing" diet, however, experienced significantly greater increases in total lymphocyte (p = 0.014), T lymphocyte (p = 0.04), and T-helper (p = 0.004) cell numbers. Additionally, these patients had significantly fewer intraabdominal abscesses (study, 0% vs. control, 11%; p = 0.023) and significantly less multiple organ failure (study, 0% vs. control, 11%; p = 0.023). In conclusion, this multicenter trial suggests this "immune-enhancing" enteral diet offers clinical benefits in stressed surgical patients.
Moore
F A
FA
Department of Surgery, Denver General Hospital, CO 80204-4507.
Moore
E E
EE
Kudsk
K A
KA
Brown
R O
RO
Bower
R H
RH
Koruda
M J
MJ
Baker
C C
CC
Barbul
A
A
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000328:Adult; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome