Prognostic Performance of NUTRIC Score in Quantifying Malnutrition Risk in the Critically Ill in Congruence With the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis.

BACKGROUND

There is still no concrete guidance for assessing malnutrition risk in the critically ill. Nutrition Risk in the Critically Ill (NUTRIC) score is undertaken cautiously compared with other validated tools such as bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). This study aimed to assess the malnutrition risk in the critically ill using NUTRIC score and assess its congruency with the BIA.

METHODS

In this cross-section observational study, intensive care unit (ICU) patients from various etiologies were assessed using the earlier tools in addition to other prognostic markers (Acute Physiologic Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation II [APACHE II] and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment [SOFA] scores), caloric attainment, and feeding complications.

RESULTS

Of a total 411 assessed patients, 313 (76.2%) were enterally fed, and 318 (77.4%) were mechanically ventilated. Mean age was 60.7 years, and the median of the assessment since admission was the 12th day. Of those enterally fed patients, 57.9% attained the caloric requirements. Both APACHE II and SOFA scores were compatible in ascertaining ICU mortality at a moderate level (17.88 and 7.17, respectively). The NUTRIC score and phase angle (PA) measured by BIA revealed no differences in the malnutrition risk between patients with and without enteral nutrition. However, regression indicated that the NUTRIC score has explained only 1.1% of the variance of PA after controlling other covariates (β = -0.222, P = .009, confidence interval = -0.31 to -0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

NUTRIC score has a limited prediction to the urgency of aggressive nutrition therapy within the early period of ICU admission.