Application of dietary fiber in clinical enteral nutrition: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of dietary fiber (DF) as a part of enteral nutrition (EN) formula on diarrhea, infection, and length of hospital stay.


METHODS
Following electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials about DF: Chinese Biomedicine Database (CBM), MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. RevMan 4.1 was used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
Seven randomized controlled trials with 400 patients were included. The supplement of DF in EN was compared with standard enteral formula in five trials. Combined analysis did not show a significant reduction in occurrence of diarrhea, but there were valuable results for non-critically ill patients. Combined analysis of two trials observing the infection also did not show any valid evidence that DF could decrease the infection rate, though the length of hospital stay was reduced significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the current eligible randomized controlled trials, there is no evidence that the value of DF in the diarrhea can be proved. Though length of hospital stay was shortened by the use of DF, there is no available evidence in preventing infection by DF. Further studies are needed for evaluating the value of DF in EN.
Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Road, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China. yanggang2000@hotmail.com
Gang
G
Yang
Xiao-Ting
XT
Wu
Yong
Y
Zhou
Ying-Li
YL
Wang
D003967:Diarrhea / Q000628:therapy*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D007902:Length of Stay; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic