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Nutritional support in hospitalised patients with diabetes and risk for malnutrition: a secondary analysis of an investigator-initiated, Swiss, randomised controlled multicentre trial

Bettina Keller, C. Wunderle, P. Tribolet, Z. Stanga, N. Kaegi-Braun, B. Mueller, P. Schuetz

BMJ Open, 2024

445 participants · 4 citations

Abstract

Objectives The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of nutritional support on mortality in hospitalised patients with diabetes and nutritional risk participating in the Effect of early nutritional support on Frailty, Functional Outcomes, and Recovery of malnourished medical inpatients Trial (EFFORT) trial. Design Secondary analysis of a Swiss-wide multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Participants Patients with diabetes and risk for malnutrition. Interventions Individualised nutritional support versus usual care. Primary outcome measure 30-day all-cause mortality. Results Of the 2028 patients included in the original trial, 445 patients were diagnosed with diabetes and included in this analysis. In terms of efficacy of nutritional therapy, there was a 25% lower risk for mortality in patients with diabetes receiving nutritional support compared with controls (7% vs 10%, adjusted HR 0.75 (95% CI 0.39 to 1.43)), a finding that was not statistically significant but similar to the overall trial effects with no evidence of interaction (p=0.92). Regarding safety of nutritional therapy, there was no increase in diabetes-specific complications associated with nutritional support, particularly there was no increase in risk for hyperglycaemia (adjusted OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.67 p=0.90). Conclusion Patients with diabetes and malnutrition in the hospital setting have a particularly high risk for adverse outcomes and mortality. Individualised nutritional…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a secondary / pooled analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 445 participants or records.

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