The correlation between feeding intolerance and poor prognosis of patients with severe neurological conditions: a case-control study

ABSTRACT

Background: This study aims to investigate the current status of feeding intolerance (FI) among patients with severe neurological conditions and to further determine the correlation between FI and their poor prognosis.

Methods: This study performed a retrospective analysis of the medical data of 58 patients from January 2017 to December 2017. Patients were divided into two groups according to modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relevant factors for the poor prognosis of these patients.

Results: General data analysis showed that age and diagnosis(stroke) were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that APACHE II score, vomiting within 3 days of NICU admission, gastrointestinal bleeding within 3 days of NICU admission and occurrence of FI within 3 days of NICU admission were all risk factors for a poor prognosis of these patients(P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that FI within 3 days of NICU admission(OR 8.026, 95%CI(1.550–26.039)) and diagnosis(stroke)(OR 10.654, 95%CI (1.746–21.291)) were independent factors for a poor prognosis of patients with severe neurological conditions.

Conclusion: The incidence of early FI in stroke patients is correlated with a poor prognosis.

KEYWORDS:

• Patients with severe neurological conditions
• feeding intolerance
• stroke
• modified Rankin Scale assessment
• poor prognosis

Article highlights

• Feeding intolerance (FI) is common in patients with severe neurological Conditions, but few articles focused on whether FI is associated with a poor prognosis of these patients.

• We designed a case-control study and logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between FI and a poor prognosis of these patients.

• FI within 3 days of NICU admission and diagnosis(stroke) were independent factors for the poor prognosis of these patients, so the incidence of early FI in stroke patients is correlated with a poor prognosis.

• Medical staffs should close attention to the incidence of early FI which is easily neglected in NICU through this article.

• Early prevention to FI would offer positive effects for the improvement of patients with severe neurological conditions.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.