Publications by authors named "Kym Wittholz"
Article Synopsis
- Critically ill patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) may face extended ICU stays, but the effect of increased enteral nutrition energy delivery on their quality of life is unclear.
- This study aimed to compare the quality of life of TBI survivors on an augmented energy diet (1.5 kcal/ml) versus a routine diet (1.0 kcal/ml) at six months post-admission, while also examining energy delivery, gastrointestinal tolerance, and mortality outcomes.
- Results showed no significant difference in quality of life between the two groups, though those on augmented nutrition received more energy without increased gastrointestinal issues.
Article Synopsis
- The study looked at how amino acids (tiny parts of protein) might help people in the hospital who are really sick from losing muscle.
- They checked many research papers and found 30 studies on this topic, involving almost 2000 patients.
- The results were mixed, with some studies showing benefits and others showing no change or even worsening of muscle loss, making it hard to tell if amino acids definitely help.
Background: During critical illness skeletal muscle wasting occurs rapidly. Although beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) is a potential treatment to attenuate this process, the plasma appearance and muscle concentration is uncertain.
Methods: This was an exploratory study nested within a blinded, parallel group, randomized clinical trial in which critically ill patients after trauma received enteral HMB (3 g daily) or placebo.
Background: Guidelines recommend prioritizing protein provision while avoiding excessive energy delivery to critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but there are no prospective studies evaluating such a targeted approach in this group. We aimed to evaluate the effect of a "higher-protein formula protocol" on protein, energy, and volume delivery when compared with standard nutrition protocol.
Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with COVID-19 who received mechanical ventilation for >72 h and enteral nutrition.
Objective: Nutritional rehabilitation and weight restoration are often critical for the treatment of eating disorders (ED), yet are restricted by the potential risk of refeeding syndrome (RFS). The primary objective was to determine the incidence of RFS. Secondary objectives were to explore predictive factors of RFS and describe its impact on treatment goals for patients with ED.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) is a nutrition supplement that may attenuate muscle wasting from critical illness. This trial aimed to determine feasibility of administering a blinded nutrition supplement in the intensive care unit (ICU) and continuing it after ICU discharge.
Methods: Single-center, parallel-group, blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized feasibility trial.
Background: There are no therapies proven to diminish the muscle wasting that occurs in patients after major trauma who are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) is a nutrition intervention that may attenuate muscle loss and, thereby, improve recovery. The primary aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of a blinded randomised clinical trial of HMB supplementation to patients after major trauma who are admitted to the ICU.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The purpose of this study was to determine if p16 status, chemotherapy regimen, or other nutrition markers could improve protocol accuracy in predicting proactive gastrostomy in patients with head and neck cancer.
Methods: Patients who received curative treatment from July 2010 to June 2011 were included (n = 269). Associations among dependent variables (age, sex, tumor site, staging, treatment, p16 status, albumin, and Malnutrition Screening Tool [MST] score), the protocol risk rating, and requirement for proactive gastrostomy were examined.