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Updated: Jan 17, 2026

A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition
Published on: September 20, 2019
Protein intake and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients: A dose-response and pairwise meta-analysis of
Mohaddeseh Badpeyma1,2, Faezeh Ghalichi3, Roghayeh Molani-Gol1,2
1Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Background:
The optimal protein intake for critically ill patients remains uncertain. This systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of high-protein nutritional support on clinical outcomes in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.
Methods:
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing high- versus low-protein nutrition in critically ill adults with similar energy intake were identified through PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus (up to June 2023). A random-effects model was used to pool risk ratios (RRs) and mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Linear and non-linear trends were assessed using the one-stage cubic spline regression model.
Results:
Twenty-three RCTs were included. The summary RR was 0.83 (95% CI: 0.64-1.08; I2=63.6%; n=17) for mortality and 1.05 (95% CI: 0.88-1.25; I2=0%; n=7) for infections. The summary MD was -0.23% (-0.76 to 0.29, I2=5.6%, n=14) for mechanical ventilation days, -0.40 (-1.11 to 0.32, I2=0%, n=17) for ICU days, 0.73 (-1.11 to 2.58, I2=6%, n=10) for hospital days, and -3.44 (-4.99 to -1.90; I2=16.4%; n=5) for muscle atrophy. There was no evidence of linear or nonlinear trends.
Conclusion:
Although higher protein intake had no significant effect on mortality or length of stay, it was associated with reduced muscle wasting. This suggests a potential role in preserving lean mass and supporting long-term functional recovery.
Systematic Review Registration:
PROSPERO CRD42024480303.
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