The independent risk factors of early diarrhoea in enteral nutrition for ICU patients

Objective To investigate the prevalence of and factors associated with diarrhoea in the early stage of enteral nutrition in critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Methods This prospective, multicentre, observational study enrolled consecutive patients who were newly admitted to ICUs and received enteral nutrition treatment. Events were observed continuously for 7 days or until patients were transferred out of the ICU after enteral nutrition. Demographic and clinical data, enteral nutrition data, diarrhoea-related data and outcomes were recorded. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the risk factors for diarrhoea. Results The study included 533 patients, of whom 164 (30.8%) developed diarrhoea. Diarrhoea was most commonly observed on the first to third days after starting enteral nutrition treatment. The median (interquartile range) duration of diarrhoea was 2 (1–3) days. The administration of gastrointestinal prokinetic agents, the increase in acute physiological and chronic health scores and the pyloric posterior feeding method were independent risk factors for diarrhoea. Conclusion The increased severity of illness, the administration of gastrointestinal prokinetic agents and the pyloric posterior feeding method were independent risk factors for diarrhoea in critically ill ICU patients undergoing enteral nutrition treatment.