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Elevations of metabolic rate following traumatic brain injury (TBI) have been reported previously, with estimates ranging from 32% to 200% above normal values. The aim of this systematic review was to describe the pattern of energy expenditure during the first 30 days following TBI. We searched six databases for trials that measured the energy expenditure at least once during the first 30 days post-injury and compared that value to one that would be predicted in the non-injured state. We identified 24 studies, three of which were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The sample sizes of the included studies ranged from 6 to 80 (mean, 24.7), and the mean Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of subjects was 4.8. Mean energy expenditure, expressed as a percentage of a predicted value, ranged from 75% to 200%. The lowest values were reported in patients admitted in brain death. Several factors were found to have modulating effects on energy expenditure. The administration of paralyzing agents, sedatives, or barbiturates reduced metabolic rate by approximately 12-32%. Propranolol and morphine were associated with smaller decreases in energy expenditure. Factors that do not appear to augment the hypermetabolic response included the administration of steroids and method of feeding (enteral vs. parenteral). Based on our results, it was unclear if elevated temperature, the presence of extracranial injury, or the severity of injury further exacerbate hypermetabolism. We conclude that energy expenditure following TBI is highly variable, and the use of standard factors to estimate the energy needs of individual patients are inappropriate and should be discouraged.

Background Studies examining nutrition intake of critically ill patients following liberation from mechanical ventilation (LMV) are scarce. The objectives of this prospective, observational feasibility study were to quantify and assess protein and energy intake in hospitalized, critically ill patients following LMV, to determine barriers to optimal intake, and to report on the feasibility of recruiting and retaining patients into this study. Methods Adult patients requiring MV for >72 hours in a medical/surgical intensive care unit (ICU) were recruited. Protein and energy intakes were quantified up to 14 days following LMV. Patients also identified barriers to eating. Results Nineteen patients (mean age, 60 years [SD, 12 years]) were studied over 125 days. Over all study days, the median amounts of protein and energy consumed in comparison with amounts prescribed by dietitians were 46% (interquartile range [IQR], 26–100) and 71% (IQR, 38–100), respectively. When stratified by route of nutrition delivery, on days (n = 54) when patients consumed an oral diet as the sole nutrition source, median amounts of protein and energy consumed in comparison with those prescribed were only 27% (IQR, 15–41) and 47% (IQR, 29–66), respectively. The most frequently reported barriers to eating were poor appetite, early satiety, and taste changes. Conclusions Protein and calorie intake is below prescribed amounts for patients whose enteral nutrition is discontinued and an oral diet prescribed as sole nutrition source following LMV. Acceptable strategies to enhance nutrition intake in post‐ICU patients during the recovery stages of critical illness are needed.

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