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Readmission and mortality in malnourished, older, hospitalized adults treated with a specialized oral nutritional supplement: A randomized clinical trial

N. Deutz, Eric M. Matheson, L. Matarese, M. Luo, G. Baggs, J. L. Nelson, R. Hegazi, K. Tappenden et al.

Clinical Nutrition, 2016

328 participants · 416 citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Hospitalized, malnourished older adults have a high risk of readmission and mortality.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of a high-protein oral nutritional supplement (HP-HMB) containing beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate on postdischarge outcomes of nonelective readmission and mortality in malnourished, hospitalized older adults.

DESIGN

Multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

SETTING

Inpatient and posthospital discharge.

PATIENTS

Older (≥65 years), malnourished (Subjective Global Assessment [SGA] class B or C) adults hospitalized for congestive heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, pneumonia, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

INTERVENTIONS

Standard-of-care plus HP-HMB (n = 328) or a placebo supplement (n = 324), 2 servings/day.

MEASUREMENTS

Primary composite endpoint was 90-day postdischarge incidence of death or nonelective readmission. Other endpoints included 30- and 60-day postdischarge incidence of death or readmission, length of stay (LOS), SGA class, body weight, and activities of daily living (ADL).

RESULTS

The primary composite endpoint was similar between HP-HMB (26.8%) and placebo (31.1%). No between-group differences were observed for 90-day readmission rate, but 90-day mortality was significantly lower with HP-HMB relative to placebo (4.8% vs. 9.7%; relative risk 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27 to 0.90; p = 0.018). The number-needed-to-treat to prevent 1 death was 20.3 (95% CI: 10.9, 121.4). Compared with placebo,…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 328 participants or records.

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