Fortified Hospital Food as Nutritional Support

Copenhagen University Hospital at Herlev84 enrolled

Overview

Background: The investigators have previously documented that patients at nutritional risk lack sufficient energy and protein intake. In 2009 the investigators conducted a non-randomized historically controlled intervention study of 40 patients at nutritional risk. The study indicated that a tailored food concept increased nutritional intake in this patient group. The objective of the current study is therefore to investigate these findings in a randomized clinical trial. Our target is for 75% of patients in the intervention group to reach 75% of their energy and protein requirements. Methods: The study will compare standard nutritional care (control group) with tailored nutritional care (the possibility to order small energy and protein-enriched dishes called "Delights of Herlev Hospital"). 96 patients at nutritional risk, according to the NRS-2002 criteria, will be included in the study.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Malnutrition

Interventions

The study is af 12 week randomized clinical trail with inclusion of 96 patients at nutritional risk, according to the NRS-2002 system. The intervention group is is given a tailored nutritional care(the possibility to order small energy and protein-enriched dishes called "Delights of Herlev Hospital").

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * patients at nutritional risk, according to the NRS-2002 system * patients must be able to understand the information and be able to give a written informed consent (sufficient cognitive functioning) * well-functioning gastrointestinal tract * anticipated length of hospitalization of more than 3 days Exclusion Criteria: * terminal patients * dysphagia * food allergy or intolerance

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients reaching >75% of their protein and energy requirements.

The patients energy requirement will be estimated both from the factorial method and by Harris and Benedicts formula. Protein requirement will be 18E% of the energy requirement. Recording of the dietary intake will be carried out on a daily basis over a periode of minimum 3 days and maxium 7 days

Time frame: Energy and protein intake will be calculated on an average of 3 and up to 7 days of dietary. Number of days of food intake recording depends on how long the patient is hospitalized.

Secondary Outcomes

handgrip strength

Handgrip strength (HGS)will be measured with a Jamar Digital Hand Dynanometer. HGS will only be measured in the right hand because the right hand i significantly stronger in right-handed subjects and there is no significant difference between the two sides in left-handed subjects. Subjects will be encouraged to perform maximal contractions three times with a 15-s interval and the average value will be recorded.

Time frame: at day 3, 5 and 7

average daily energy and protein intake

Time frame: Patient und energy and protein intake will be followed during hospitalization from enrollment in the study and until discharge or up to 7 days

Use of tube feeding

Use of tube feeding will be registrated (yes or no and amount (ml.)

Time frame: The patients use of tube feeding will be followed from enrollment in the study and until discharge, an expected average of 9 days.

use of parenteral nutrition

Registration of use of parenteral nutrition (yes or no). If yes how much (ml.).

Time frame: The patients use of parenteral nutrition will be followed from enrollment in the study and until discharge, an expected average of 9 days.

length of stay

Time frame: an expected average of 9 days.