title: Impact of a nutritional formula enriched in fish oil and micronutrients on pressure ulcers in critical care patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pressure ulcers are an important source of morbidity and suffering for patients and a formidable burden on caregivers.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the impact of a feeding formula enriched with fish oil on healing of preexisting pressure ulcers and serum levels of C-reactive protein in critical care patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult patients with pressure ulcers grade II or higher were randomly allocated to receive either a formula enriched with fish oil or an isocaloric control formula. Wound healing was assessed by using the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing tool on days 7, 14, and 28. Blood levels of C-reactive protein were measured on days 0, 7, and 14.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline demographics did not differ between the study (n = 20) and the control (n = 20) groups. The mean score on the ulcer healing tool increased significantly (P = .02) from day 0 to day 28 in the control group (from 9.25 [SD, 2.12] to 10.75 [SD, 3.41]) compared with the study group (from 9.10 [SD, 2.84] to 9.40 [SD, 3.72]). Mean levels of C-reactive protein decreased significantly (P= .02) from day 0 to day 14 in the study group (from 191 [SD, 104.4] mg/L to 111.7 [SD, 97.8] mg/L) compared with the control group (from 145 [SD, 90] mg/L to 139 [SD, 62] mg/L).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Administration of a feeding formula enriched with fish oil was associated with decreased progression of pressure ulcers and a decrease in blood concentrations of C-reactive protein.
authors: General Intensive Care Department, Rabin Medical Center, Campus Beilinson, Petah Tikva, Israel.
authors: Miriam
authors: M
authors: Theilla
authors: Betty
authors: B
authors: Schwartz
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Cohen
authors: Haim
authors: H
authors: Shapiro
authors: Ronit
authors: R
authors: Anbar
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Singer
mesh_terms: D018806:APACHE; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D018529:Nutritional Support / Q000379:methods; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005395:Fish Oils; D018977:Micronutrients; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid