Clinical Research Directory

Relationship of Nutritional Support for Critically Ill Children With Clinical Outcomes in a Pediatric Hospital in Bolivia (NutPeBol)

The aim of this observational study is to learn about the characteristics of nutritional support in critically ill children. The primary question to be answered is Is there an association between nutritional support of the critically ill child and clinical and hospital outcomes in children admitted to a pediatric referral center? Patients will be followed throughout their hospitalization, with a step-by-step evaluation of the nutritional support received through standard care and a review of the results obtained in the patients.

The Effect of Perioperative Nutritional Assessment and Nutritional Support on Clinical Outcomes

It is a study to evaluate the relationship between preoperative nutritional assessment and clinical outcomes and to explore the effect of preoperative nutritional support on clinical outcomes in patients after abdominal operation.

Effect of Protein Dosage on Persistent Acute Renal Failure in Critically Ill Patients.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in critically ill patients and is associated with worse outcomes, including longer ICU stay, need for dialysis, and higher mortality. Patients with AKI often experience significant protein and calorie loss due to their illness and medical treatments. Providing the right amount of protein may help maintain muscle mass and improve recovery; however, consuming too much protein could potentially worsen kidney function. Current international guidelines recommend adequate protein intake, but the best dose remains uncertain, especially for patients with AKI. Study Purpose: This research will examine whether patients with AKI who receive a higher protein intake (greater than 1.2 g/kg/day) have different outcomes compared to those who receive a standard or lower protein intake (≤1.2 g/kg/day). The primary outcome is whether a higher protein intake leads to a longer recovery time from AKI or worsens kidney function. Study Design: This is a retrospective, multicenter study using data from five hospitals in Argentina. It is designed as a "target trial emulation," meaning researchers will analyze existing patient data as if it were a randomized clinical trial. Patients will be included on the fifth day of their ICU stay and classified into two groups based on their protein intake on day 5: * Group 1 (Standard Protein): ≤1.2 g/kg/day * Group 2 (High Protein): \>1.2 g/kg/day No additional interventions will be performed; data are collected from medical records. Study Population: The study will include adult patients (≥18 years) admitted to the ICU who are receiving exclusive enteral or parenteral nutrition and have AKI (or worsening chronic kidney disease) according to KDIGO criteria. Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (creatinine clearance \<30 ml/min/1.73 m²) or undergoing hemodialysis at T0, previous kidney transplant, severe liver disease, or BMI \>30 will be excluded. Outcomes: * Primary Outcome: Time to recovery of kidney function within 30 days, measured by creatinine returning close to baseline values. * Secondary Outcomes: Changes in blood urea levels, duration of renal replacement therapy (hemodialysis), ICU length of stay, and 30-day mortality. Statistical Approach: To minimize bias, the study will use advanced statistical methods, including propensity score weighting, to ensure fair comparison between groups. Competing risks (such as death before kidney recovery) will be taken into account in the analysis. Significance: This study will provide important information about the safety and effectiveness of higher protein intake in critically ill patients with AKI. The findings may help guide nutritional strategies in the ICU, optimize kidney outcomes, and improve patient care.

Enteral Versus Parenteral Nutrition During Recovery After Shock

This study compares enteral nutrition and parenteral nutrition in critically ill adult patients recovering from shock while receiving decreasing doses of vasopressors in the intensive care unit. Eligible patients will be randomly assigned to receive either enteral or parenteral nutrition during the early recovery phase of shock. The study aims to determine whether enteral nutrition improves clinical outcomes, including ICU mortality and ICU-acquired infections, compared with parenteral nutrition.

Nutritional Prehabilitation to Improve Cancer Outcomes (N-PICO)

Brief Summary The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the acceptability and adherence of low- and high-intensity remote nutritional interventions for cancer patients in rural and urban areas, specifically focusing on those with invasive cancer who are about to start treatment. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: Can low- and high-intensity remote nutritional interventions improve adherence to cancer treatment and quality of life? What is the impact of nutritional support on treatment delays, unplanned healthcare utilization, and dietary modifications? Researchers will compare the low-intensity arm (initial nutritional consultation plus written materials) to the high-intensity arm (1-hour consultation, monthly follow-ups, and written materials) to see if higher intensity interventions lead to better outcomes in terms of adherence, quality of life, and healthcare utilization. Participants will: Receive either a low- or high-intensity nutritional consultation. Complete surveys assessing quality of life, dietary habits, treatment delays, and unplanned healthcare use. Be asked to participate in monthly follow-up consultations (for the high-intensity group) to track progress and provide additional support.

Training Program for PEG Caregivers: A Structured Intervention Study

This study aims to develop and evaluate a structured education program and a mobile application to support caregivers of patients receiving enteral nutrition via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). The intervention focuses on improving caregivers' knowledge, care practices, and perceived burden. The study will be conducted in three phases: a needs assessment, development of the education and digital support modules, and implementation of the intervention. Quantitative and qualitative data will be collected to evaluate the impact of the intervention. The results are expected to contribute to the improvement of home PEG care quality and the empowerment of caregivers.

Interpretation and Optimization of Nutrition in the Intensive Care Units

Despite recommendations, inadequate nutritional intake in intensive care unit (ICU) patients remains frequent and can lead to complications such as infections, increased length of stay, prolonged weaning from ventilation, increased long-term mortality, and decreased quality of life after intensive care. Studies have shown that patients only receive up to 50-60% of prescribed calories and proteins due to many factors leading to nutritional support interruptions such as ICU procedures, physical therapy, transport for imaging or invasive procedures outside the ICU, and nutrition intolerance. Furthermore, this discrepancy between prescribed and delivered nutrition may go largely unnoticed, due to issues concerning inadequate manual or automated monitoring of delivered nutrition. A joint "Call to Action" by ASPEN, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists stated that parenteral nutrition errors and their contributing factors could be prevented by improving the functionality of in-house Clinical Decision Support Systems and the interfaces between electronic health records (EHRs), automated preparation devices and pharmacy systems. Nutrow® is a software package designed to support nutritional management based on the calculation of recommended calorie and protein requirements, real-time calculation and monitoring of calorie and protein prescriptions, real-time calculation and monitoring of calories and protein truly delivered to patients, and information feedback to prescribers. Feedim® is a Medical Device Data System (MDDS), designed by Dim3, which transmits information from enteral feeding pumps to third-party software, such as Nutrow®. The aim of the study is to assess whether the joint use of Nutrow-Feedim improves the achievement of nutritional objectives in ICU patients prior to oral intake by reducing the discrepancy between prescribed and delivered calories and protein.