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

Clin Nutr. 2016 Feb;35(1):18-26. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2015.12.010. Epub 2016 Jan 18.

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, HP-HMB resulted in improved odds of better nutritional status (SGA class, OR, 2.04, 95% CI: 1.28, 3.25, p = 0.009) at day 90, and an increase in body weight at day 30 (p = 0.035). LOS and ADL were similar between treatments.

Limitations: Limited generalizability; patients represent a selected hospitalized population.

Conclusions: Although no effects were observed for the primary composite endpoint, compared with placebo HP-HMB decreased mortality and improved indices of nutritional status during the 90-day observation period.

Clinical trial registration: www.ClinicalTrials.govNCT01626742.

Keywords: High-protein beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate; Hospitalization; Lean body mass; Malnourished; NOURISH study; Oral nutritional supplement.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Acute Disease
  • Administration, Oral
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Body Weight
  • Dietary Proteins / administration & dosage*
  • Dietary Proteins / analysis
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Endpoint Determination
  • Female
  • Heart Failure / complications
  • Heart Failure / mortality
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay
  • Male
  • Malnutrition / complications
  • Malnutrition / diet therapy*
  • Myocardial Infarction / complications
  • Myocardial Infarction / mortality
  • Nutritional Status
  • Patient Readmission*
  • Pneumonia / complications
  • Pneumonia / mortality
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / complications
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / mortality
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Valerates / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Dietary Proteins
  • Valerates
  • beta-hydroxyisovaleric acid

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01626742