The Effect of Protein Dosing in
Critically Ill Patients
How much protein is required to
optimize outcomes for critically ill patients? Recent clinical guidelines
for critical illness in adults recommend daily protein doses of 1.2-2.0 g/kg
body weight. Large observational studies generally support lower mortality
with greater protein intake. The few randomized clinical trials were small
and inconclusive, and post hoc analyses suggested that more protein
may be associated with harm.
The EFFORT Trial is a registry-based,
clinical trial that includes randomization of individual patients to a protein
target of either ≤1.2 g/kg/day or ≥2.2 g/kg/day. Its goal is to determine which
of these protein doses yields lower 60-day mortality and shorter time to
discharge alive.
By the ASPEN 2022 Nutrition Science & Practice Conference,
we hope the optimal protein dose in critically ill patients will be
clear. We need your support and
participation to make this dream come true.
Get involved in enrolling ICU patients to this important trial.
Visit the EFFORT site for details and to get started!
Watch the session on Leveraging a Registry to Conduct Randomized
Controlled Trials from ASPEN18. (You will need to log in with your ASPEN username
and password (or create an account to view full session).
Questions? Contact Dr. Charlene
Compher ([email protected]) and Dr. Jayshil Patel ([email protected])
Additional Resource
Free Webinar Recording: Malnutrition, Protein, and the Role of Early Enteral Nutrition: What's New Since the 2016 ASPEN/SCCM Guidelines