Relationship between nutritional status, early nutrition, hyperglycemia and clinical breakdown of injured patients in a unit of intensive therapy

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The availability of nutrients at the right moment can minimize the effects of exacerbated catabolism, improving the clinical evolution of the patient. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate and correlate nutritional status, early nutrition and hyperglycemia with the clinical outcome of critically ill patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study with critically ill patients of a hospital in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, of both sexes, aged over 20 years. Data were collected, such as basic disease (s), main diagnosis, age, sex, date of hospitalization, type and time of nutritional therapy instituted, route of administration of the diet, glycemic evaluation, insulin application, clinical complications, hospitalization and clinical outcome. The glycemia and the dietary route were monitored during 72 hours of hospitalization. Results: Sixty-six patients participated in the study, with an average of 64.08 ±16.11 years, 59.1% were male, overweight was predominant (59.1%) and 48.5% were hospitalized for some cardiovascular event. At 24 hours of hospitalization, 15.2% of the people were hyperglycemic, followed by 21.2% at 48 hours and 19.7% at 72 hours. We found an association between the clinical outcome of the patients and the early nutrition in up to 48 hours (p = 0.004), as well as infection (p = 0.036) and types of food routes used in the first 48 hours (p = 0.002) 72 hours (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Early nutritional therapy directly influences the clinical outcome of critically ill patients, presenting a life-threatening condition.