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Use of dietary fibers in enteral nutrition of critically ill patients: a systematic review

ABSTRACT

To meet the nutritional requirements of patients admitted to intensive care units, it is necessary to establish a diet schedule. Complications associated with enteral nutrition by tube feeding are not uncommon and may reduce the delivery of required nutrient to patients in intensive care units. Research on the osmolality, fat content, caloric intensity and fiber content of formulas are under way, and a substantial number of studies have focused on fiber content tolerability or symptom reduction. We conducted a systematic review of dietary fiber use and safety in critically ill patients in 8 studies based on diarrhea, other gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal distension, gastric residual volume, vomiting and constipation), intestinal microbiota, length of stay in the intensive care unit and death. We discussed the results reported in the scientific literature and current recommendations. This contemporary approach demonstrated that the use of soluble fiber in all hemodynamically stable, critically ill patients is safe and should be considered beneficial for reducing the incidence of diarrhea in this population.

Keywords:
Dietary fiber/metabolism; Enteral nutrition; Intensive care; Critical care; Critically ill

RESUMO

Para atender as necessidades nutricionais de pacientes admitidos às unidades de terapia intensiva, é necessário estabelecer um plano dietético. As complicações associadas com a nutrição enteral administrada por tubo não são incomuns e podem reduzir o fornecimento das necessidades nutricionais a pacientes internados na unidade de terapia intensiva. Encontram-se em andamento pesquisas relativas a osmolaridade, gorduras, intensidade calórica e conteúdo de fibras das fórmulas, e muitos estudos têm focado na tolerabilidade ao conteúdo de fibras ou na redução de sintomas. Conduzimos uma revisão sistemática do uso e segurança das fibras dietéticas em pacientes críticos, que envolveu oito estudos e teve como base diarreia, outros sintomas gastrintestinais (distensão abdominal, volume gástrico residual, vômitos e constipação), microbiota intestinal, tempo de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva, e óbito. Discutimos os resultados encontrados na literatura científica, assim como as recomendações atuais. Esta abordagem contemporânea demonstrou que o uso de fibras solúveis em todos os pacientes graves hemodinamicamente estáveis é seguro e deve ser considerado benéfico para redução da incidência de diarreia nesta população.

Descritores:
Fibras na dieta/metabolismo; Nutrição enteral; Cuidados intensivos; Cuidados críticos; Estado terminal

INTRODUCTION

Enteral nutrition (EN) is the preferred route for the nutritional support of critically ill patients under intensive care. These patients typically demand increased nutrients and energy as a result of catabolic stress;(11 Petros S, Engelmann L. Enteral nutrition delivery and energy expenditure in medical intensive care patients. Clin Nutr. 2006;25(1):51-9.) thus, adequate nutrition is crucial for these patients.(22 Yagmurdur H, Leblebici F. Enteral nutrition preference in critical care: fibre-enriched or fibre-free? Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2016;25(4):740-6.) To meet the nutritional requirements of patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU), it is necessary to establish a diet plan using enteral formulas as early as tolerated.(33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.)

Complications associated with EN via tube feeding are not uncommon,(44 Reintam A, Parm P, Kitus R, Kern H, Starkopf J. Gastrointestinal symptoms in intensive care patients. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2009;53(3):318-24.) with diarrhea considered a major sign of intolerance.(33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.

4 Reintam A, Parm P, Kitus R, Kern H, Starkopf J. Gastrointestinal symptoms in intensive care patients. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2009;53(3):318-24.
-55 Zimmaro DM, Rolandelli RH, Koruda MJ, Settle RG, Stein TP, Rombeau JL. Isotonic tube feeding formula induces liquid stool in normal subjects: reversal by pectin. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 1989;13(2):117-23.) The metabolic activity of the luminal microbiota may be disrupted, thus affecting colonization resistance and contributing to complications.(33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.) Consequently, EN formulations that have positive effects on gut ecology and intestinal function and provide appropriate nutritional support for ICU patients are of major interest.(33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.) A substantial number of studies have focused on fiber content tolerability or symptom reduction.(33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.) There is ample evidence of the beneficial effects(66 O'Keefe SJ, Ou J, Delany JP, Curry S, Zoetendal E, Gaskins HR, et al. Effect of fiber supplementation on the microbiota in critically ill patients. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2011;2(6):138-45.) of fiber enriched enteral formulas, which can stimulate the growth of beneficial normal flora bacteria, thereby inhibiting harmful bacteria.

Thus, this systematic review aims to identify the advantages and complications in association with the use of dietary fibers in critically ill patients.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement.(77 Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG; PRISMA Group. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA Statement. Open Med. 2009;3(3):e123-30.) The search was performed in three databases: US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health (PubMed), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS) and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO). The search strategies for these databases were defined by terms related to dietary fiber ["dietary fiber", "dietary fiber-free", "dietary fiber-enriched", "dietary fiber-containing"] and critical care ["ICU", "intensive care", "critically ill", "life-threatening patients"]. Reviews, abstracts, dissertations, and case reports or articles published with more than a 15-year interval were excluded from this research.

Moreover, for inclusion in the review, studies needed to (1) specifically evaluate the use of dietary fiber in critically ill patients; (2) be published between January 1st, 2001 and December 1st, 2016; and (3) have been published in English, Spanish or Portuguese. Both randomized clinical trials and observational studies were included.

Finally, articles were screened according to the following steps: first, duplicates were excluded. The remaining articles were subsequently screened by title, abstract and text in full. Articles were selected based on the eligibility criteria as previously outlined. If eligibility could not be determined during the initial screening of the title and abstract, full-text articles were accessed to determine inclusion. Both study selection and data extraction were performed concurrently by two of the authors (AR and AV). In cases of doubt regarding the eligibility criteria, a third evaluator (LFM), who had also been engaged in the study, acted as a tiebreaker. PubMed, LILACS, and SciELO provided 61, 2, and 0 articles, respectively. Additional details are shown in figure 1.

Figure 1
Flow chart of eligibility.

RESULTS

Of 63 studies, 8 studies (13%) were included in this review.(22 Yagmurdur H, Leblebici F. Enteral nutrition preference in critical care: fibre-enriched or fibre-free? Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2016;25(4):740-6.,33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.,66 O'Keefe SJ, Ou J, Delany JP, Curry S, Zoetendal E, Gaskins HR, et al. Effect of fiber supplementation on the microbiota in critically ill patients. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2011;2(6):138-45.,88 Caparrós T, Lopez J, Grau T. Early enteral nutrition in critically ill patients with a high-protein diet enriched with arginine, fiber, and antioxidants compared with a standard high-protein diet. The effect on nosocomial infections and outcome. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2001;25(6):299-308; discussion 308-9.

9 Spapen H, Diltoer M, Van Malderen C, Opdenacker G, Suys E, Huyghens L. Soluble fiber reduces the incidence of diarrhea in septic patients receiving total enteral nutrition: a prospective, double-blind, randomized, and controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2001;20(4):301-5.

10 Rushdi TA, Pichard C, Khater YH. Control of diarrhea by fiber-enriched diet in ICU patients on enteral nutrition: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2004;23(6):1344-52.

11 Spindler-Vesel A, Bengmark S, Vovk I, Cerovic O, Kompan L. Synbiotics, prebiotics, glutamine, or peptide in early enteral nutrition: a randomized study in trauma patients. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2007;31(2):119-26.
-1212 Chittawatanarat K, Pokawinpudisnun P, Polbhakdee Y. Mixed fibers diet in surgical ICU septic patients. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2010;19(4):458-64.) Only one study (12.5%) evaluated children(33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.) and no adults. Hemodynamic instability was considered an exclusion criterion.(22 Yagmurdur H, Leblebici F. Enteral nutrition preference in critical care: fibre-enriched or fibre-free? Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2016;25(4):740-6.,33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.,66 O'Keefe SJ, Ou J, Delany JP, Curry S, Zoetendal E, Gaskins HR, et al. Effect of fiber supplementation on the microbiota in critically ill patients. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2011;2(6):138-45.,88 Caparrós T, Lopez J, Grau T. Early enteral nutrition in critically ill patients with a high-protein diet enriched with arginine, fiber, and antioxidants compared with a standard high-protein diet. The effect on nosocomial infections and outcome. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2001;25(6):299-308; discussion 308-9.

9 Spapen H, Diltoer M, Van Malderen C, Opdenacker G, Suys E, Huyghens L. Soluble fiber reduces the incidence of diarrhea in septic patients receiving total enteral nutrition: a prospective, double-blind, randomized, and controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2001;20(4):301-5.

10 Rushdi TA, Pichard C, Khater YH. Control of diarrhea by fiber-enriched diet in ICU patients on enteral nutrition: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2004;23(6):1344-52.

11 Spindler-Vesel A, Bengmark S, Vovk I, Cerovic O, Kompan L. Synbiotics, prebiotics, glutamine, or peptide in early enteral nutrition: a randomized study in trauma patients. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2007;31(2):119-26.
-1212 Chittawatanarat K, Pokawinpudisnun P, Polbhakdee Y. Mixed fibers diet in surgical ICU septic patients. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2010;19(4):458-64.) All articles involved dietary intervention exclusively by enteral tube feeding.

The durations of the protocols ranged from 4 to 7 days in 4 studies (50%)(22 Yagmurdur H, Leblebici F. Enteral nutrition preference in critical care: fibre-enriched or fibre-free? Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2016;25(4):740-6.,33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.,1010 Rushdi TA, Pichard C, Khater YH. Control of diarrhea by fiber-enriched diet in ICU patients on enteral nutrition: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2004;23(6):1344-52.,1111 Spindler-Vesel A, Bengmark S, Vovk I, Cerovic O, Kompan L. Synbiotics, prebiotics, glutamine, or peptide in early enteral nutrition: a randomized study in trauma patients. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2007;31(2):119-26.) and from 2 to 5 weeks in the remaining studies.(55 Zimmaro DM, Rolandelli RH, Koruda MJ, Settle RG, Stein TP, Rombeau JL. Isotonic tube feeding formula induces liquid stool in normal subjects: reversal by pectin. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 1989;13(2):117-23.,88 Caparrós T, Lopez J, Grau T. Early enteral nutrition in critically ill patients with a high-protein diet enriched with arginine, fiber, and antioxidants compared with a standard high-protein diet. The effect on nosocomial infections and outcome. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2001;25(6):299-308; discussion 308-9.,99 Spapen H, Diltoer M, Van Malderen C, Opdenacker G, Suys E, Huyghens L. Soluble fiber reduces the incidence of diarrhea in septic patients receiving total enteral nutrition: a prospective, double-blind, randomized, and controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2001;20(4):301-5.,1212 Chittawatanarat K, Pokawinpudisnun P, Polbhakdee Y. Mixed fibers diet in surgical ICU septic patients. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2010;19(4):458-64.) Three studies (37.5%) opted for supplementing the diet,(66 O'Keefe SJ, Ou J, Delany JP, Curry S, Zoetendal E, Gaskins HR, et al. Effect of fiber supplementation on the microbiota in critically ill patients. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2011;2(6):138-45.,99 Spapen H, Diltoer M, Van Malderen C, Opdenacker G, Suys E, Huyghens L. Soluble fiber reduces the incidence of diarrhea in septic patients receiving total enteral nutrition: a prospective, double-blind, randomized, and controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2001;20(4):301-5.,1010 Rushdi TA, Pichard C, Khater YH. Control of diarrhea by fiber-enriched diet in ICU patients on enteral nutrition: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2004;23(6):1344-52.) while the other studies opted for the addition of fiber within the EN.(22 Yagmurdur H, Leblebici F. Enteral nutrition preference in critical care: fibre-enriched or fibre-free? Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2016;25(4):740-6.,33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.,88 Caparrós T, Lopez J, Grau T. Early enteral nutrition in critically ill patients with a high-protein diet enriched with arginine, fiber, and antioxidants compared with a standard high-protein diet. The effect on nosocomial infections and outcome. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2001;25(6):299-308; discussion 308-9.,1111 Spindler-Vesel A, Bengmark S, Vovk I, Cerovic O, Kompan L. Synbiotics, prebiotics, glutamine, or peptide in early enteral nutrition: a randomized study in trauma patients. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2007;31(2):119-26.,1212 Chittawatanarat K, Pokawinpudisnun P, Polbhakdee Y. Mixed fibers diet in surgical ICU septic patients. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2010;19(4):458-64.) The quality of fibers in the diet varied: 4 studies (50%) used mixed fiber types (soluble and insoluble)(22 Yagmurdur H, Leblebici F. Enteral nutrition preference in critical care: fibre-enriched or fibre-free? Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2016;25(4):740-6.,66 O'Keefe SJ, Ou J, Delany JP, Curry S, Zoetendal E, Gaskins HR, et al. Effect of fiber supplementation on the microbiota in critically ill patients. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2011;2(6):138-45.,88 Caparrós T, Lopez J, Grau T. Early enteral nutrition in critically ill patients with a high-protein diet enriched with arginine, fiber, and antioxidants compared with a standard high-protein diet. The effect on nosocomial infections and outcome. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2001;25(6):299-308; discussion 308-9.,1212 Chittawatanarat K, Pokawinpudisnun P, Polbhakdee Y. Mixed fibers diet in surgical ICU septic patients. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2010;19(4):458-64.) and 4 studies (50%) employed soluble fibers.(33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.,99 Spapen H, Diltoer M, Van Malderen C, Opdenacker G, Suys E, Huyghens L. Soluble fiber reduces the incidence of diarrhea in septic patients receiving total enteral nutrition: a prospective, double-blind, randomized, and controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2001;20(4):301-5.

10 Rushdi TA, Pichard C, Khater YH. Control of diarrhea by fiber-enriched diet in ICU patients on enteral nutrition: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2004;23(6):1344-52.
-1111 Spindler-Vesel A, Bengmark S, Vovk I, Cerovic O, Kompan L. Synbiotics, prebiotics, glutamine, or peptide in early enteral nutrition: a randomized study in trauma patients. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2007;31(2):119-26.) One study used probiotics along with fiber.(33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.) Lactobacillus paracasei and Bifidobacterium longum were used in their study,(33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.) and the fiber amount ranged from 12.6 g/L to 12 g tid.

Additional details regarding these studies and the main results are provided in tables 1 and 2, respectively.

Table 1
Indexed articles used related to dietary fiber in critically ill patients
Table 2
Indexed articles included and their main results

Diarrhea

Spapen et al. found that the mean frequency of days with diarrhea was significantly lower in the fiber-treated group than in the controls (p < 0.001). They considered the total days of diarrhea (p < 0.01) or the number of cases that presented diarrhea for at least one day.(99 Spapen H, Diltoer M, Van Malderen C, Opdenacker G, Suys E, Huyghens L. Soluble fiber reduces the incidence of diarrhea in septic patients receiving total enteral nutrition: a prospective, double-blind, randomized, and controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2001;20(4):301-5.) Accordingly, Yagmurdur et al. also demonstrated a significant difference in diarrhea episodes that favored the fiber-enriched group (p < 0.001), which presented lower diarrhea scores in the last three days (p < 0.01), as well as diarrhea over the five days of the study (p < 0.001).(22 Yagmurdur H, Leblebici F. Enteral nutrition preference in critical care: fibre-enriched or fibre-free? Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2016;25(4):740-6.) Although it is not significant (p = 0.387), Simakachorn et al. found that diarrhea episodes were more frequent with standard formula.(33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.) They also used probiotics in their study.(33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.)

Following a 14-day intervention, Chittawatanarat et al. found that the increase of the mean diarrhea scores was significantly lower in the fiber group than in the non-fiber group (p < 0.01).(1212 Chittawatanarat K, Pokawinpudisnun P, Polbhakdee Y. Mixed fibers diet in surgical ICU septic patients. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2010;19(4):458-64.) The fiber-receiving group presented a lower trend of incidence of patients with at least one day of diarrhea (p = 0.14). The overall incidence of diarrhea proportion per 100 patient-fed days in the mixed model was significantly lower in the fiber group (p = 0.01), even when nutrition started after patients had received broad-spectrum antibiotics (p = 0.04).(1212 Chittawatanarat K, Pokawinpudisnun P, Polbhakdee Y. Mixed fibers diet in surgical ICU septic patients. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2010;19(4):458-64.)

The study with the largest number of cases was the only study that obtained results that did not favor the intervention, and the one in which the diet group had more diarrhea (p < 0.001).(88 Caparrós T, Lopez J, Grau T. Early enteral nutrition in critically ill patients with a high-protein diet enriched with arginine, fiber, and antioxidants compared with a standard high-protein diet. The effect on nosocomial infections and outcome. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2001;25(6):299-308; discussion 308-9.)

O'Keefe et al. administered mixed fibers to four patients in the study group who had diarrhea, which improved with progressive supplementation of 18g, 24g, and 35g/d in three patients.(66 O'Keefe SJ, Ou J, Delany JP, Curry S, Zoetendal E, Gaskins HR, et al. Effect of fiber supplementation on the microbiota in critically ill patients. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2011;2(6):138-45.) The other patient presented diarrhea even with a 36g/d fiber supplementation.(66 O'Keefe SJ, Ou J, Delany JP, Curry S, Zoetendal E, Gaskins HR, et al. Effect of fiber supplementation on the microbiota in critically ill patients. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2011;2(6):138-45.) In particular, this patient differed from the other patients as a result of the continuing need for broad-spectrum IV antibiotics (cefuroxime) and pantoprazole (PPI).(66 O'Keefe SJ, Ou J, Delany JP, Curry S, Zoetendal E, Gaskins HR, et al. Effect of fiber supplementation on the microbiota in critically ill patients. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2011;2(6):138-45.) Another study by Rushdi et al. that included patients who had diarrhea indicated a significant difference between liquid stools that favored the intervention group on the fourth day (p < 0.01).(1010 Rushdi TA, Pichard C, Khater YH. Control of diarrhea by fiber-enriched diet in ICU patients on enteral nutrition: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2004;23(6):1344-52.)

Other gastrointestinal symptoms

Considering the gastric residual volume, Yagmurdur et al. did not identify differences between the groups.(22 Yagmurdur H, Leblebici F. Enteral nutrition preference in critical care: fibre-enriched or fibre-free? Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2016;25(4):740-6.) Moreover, only 4 patients had values that exceeded 500 mL per day, including 3 patients in the control group and 1 patient in the fiber-enriched diet group.(22 Yagmurdur H, Leblebici F. Enteral nutrition preference in critical care: fibre-enriched or fibre-free? Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2016;25(4):740-6.) In contrast, Caparrós et al. showed increased gastric residues in the diet intervention group (p < 0.001).(88 Caparrós T, Lopez J, Grau T. Early enteral nutrition in critically ill patients with a high-protein diet enriched with arginine, fiber, and antioxidants compared with a standard high-protein diet. The effect on nosocomial infections and outcome. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2001;25(6):299-308; discussion 308-9.)

Spindler-Vesel et al. conducted a study with four groups.(1111 Spindler-Vesel A, Bengmark S, Vovk I, Cerovic O, Kompan L. Synbiotics, prebiotics, glutamine, or peptide in early enteral nutrition: a randomized study in trauma patients. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2007;31(2):119-26.) The glutamine-supplemented group had a significantly lower gastric residual volume than the fiber-only group (p < 0.05), as well as the probiotic plus fiber-supplemented group (p < 0.02).(1111 Spindler-Vesel A, Bengmark S, Vovk I, Cerovic O, Kompan L. Synbiotics, prebiotics, glutamine, or peptide in early enteral nutrition: a randomized study in trauma patients. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2007;31(2):119-26.) Moreover, patients in the control group exhibited less gastric retention than patients in the probiotic plus fiber-supplemented group (p < 0.04).(1111 Spindler-Vesel A, Bengmark S, Vovk I, Cerovic O, Kompan L. Synbiotics, prebiotics, glutamine, or peptide in early enteral nutrition: a randomized study in trauma patients. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2007;31(2):119-26.) With respect to gastric empting,(1111 Spindler-Vesel A, Bengmark S, Vovk I, Cerovic O, Kompan L. Synbiotics, prebiotics, glutamine, or peptide in early enteral nutrition: a randomized study in trauma patients. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2007;31(2):119-26.) there was no difference among the group that received only fiber supplementation, the control group, and the probiotic and fiber supplementation group.

Three articles demonstrated that vomiting was less frequent in the fiber-supplemented group; however, there were no significant differences.(22 Yagmurdur H, Leblebici F. Enteral nutrition preference in critical care: fibre-enriched or fibre-free? Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2016;25(4):740-6.,33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.,1010 Rushdi TA, Pichard C, Khater YH. Control of diarrhea by fiber-enriched diet in ICU patients on enteral nutrition: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2004;23(6):1344-52.)

Abdominal distension was described in some articles. O'Keefe et al. did not identify clinically relevant differences.(66 O'Keefe SJ, Ou J, Delany JP, Curry S, Zoetendal E, Gaskins HR, et al. Effect of fiber supplementation on the microbiota in critically ill patients. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2011;2(6):138-45.) However, abdominal distension was similar in both groups (p = 0.83) in Simakachorn et al.,(33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.) while distension was less observed in the control group (30% versus 42%) in Yagmurdur et al.(22 Yagmurdur H, Leblebici F. Enteral nutrition preference in critical care: fibre-enriched or fibre-free? Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2016;25(4):740-6.)

Constipation results varied. Caparrós et al. showed that controls had significantly more episodes of constipation (p < 0.005).(88 Caparrós T, Lopez J, Grau T. Early enteral nutrition in critically ill patients with a high-protein diet enriched with arginine, fiber, and antioxidants compared with a standard high-protein diet. The effect on nosocomial infections and outcome. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2001;25(6):299-308; discussion 308-9.) Rushdi et al. identified only one patient among 4 cases with constipation in the control group (25%),(1010 Rushdi TA, Pichard C, Khater YH. Control of diarrhea by fiber-enriched diet in ICU patients on enteral nutrition: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2004;23(6):1344-52.) and Yagmurdur et al. identified similar cases in both groups.(22 Yagmurdur H, Leblebici F. Enteral nutrition preference in critical care: fibre-enriched or fibre-free? Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2016;25(4):740-6.)

Intestinal microbiota

Only two articles included an intestinal microbiota analysis.(33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.,66 O'Keefe SJ, Ou J, Delany JP, Curry S, Zoetendal E, Gaskins HR, et al. Effect of fiber supplementation on the microbiota in critically ill patients. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2011;2(6):138-45.) Simakachorn et al. described a significant difference in the total bifidobacterial counts. Although decreased in controls (14 days, p = 0.046),(33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.) the viable lactobacilli counts gradually increased during the study in both treatment groups.(33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.) Subjects who received EN supplemented with symbiotics (prebiotics and probiotics) presented a trend for a larger population of lactobacilli than subjects who received non-supplemented formula (p = 0.085).(33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.) Similar counts against baseline, on average, were low for both groups after 7 and 14 days, which suggests a relatively unstable microbiota.(33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.) No differences were identified concerning bacterial diversity (number of bands) in both groups throughout the study.(33 Simakachorn N, Bibiloni R, Yimyaem P, Tongpenyai Y, Varavithaya W, Grathwohl D, et al. Tolerance, safety, and effect on the faecal microbiota of an enteral formula supplemented with pre- and probiotics in critically ill children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):174-81.)

After comparing healthy subjects to patients with diarrhea, O'Keefe et al. determined that fecal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were significantly lower in patients with diarrhea (acetate: p < 0.012; propionate p < 0.007; and isobutyrate p = 0.35).(66 O'Keefe SJ, Ou J, Delany JP, Curry S, Zoetendal E, Gaskins HR, et al. Effect of fiber supplementation on the microbiota in critically ill patients. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2011;2(6):138-45.) The bacterial composition was strikingly different, with phyla comprising up to 35% and 60% of the microbiota for healthy subjects and patients,(66 O'Keefe SJ, Ou J, Delany JP, Curry S, Zoetendal E, Gaskins HR, et al. Effect of fiber supplementation on the microbiota in critically ill patients. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2011;2(6):138-45.) respectively. However, there was a 50 percent decrease in the amount of firmicutes, which contain the major butyrate-producers, in patients compared to a 30 percent decrease in controls.(66 O'Keefe SJ, Ou J, Delany JP, Curry S, Zoetendal E, Gaskins HR, et al. Effect of fiber supplementation on the microbiota in critically ill patients. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2011;2(6):138-45.) Furthermore, the proportions of phyla had a 97 percent reduction in the predominantly butyrate producers and starch degraders, at the genus level, from Clostridia clusters prior to fiber supplementation.(66 O'Keefe SJ, Ou J, Delany JP, Curry S, Zoetendal E, Gaskins HR, et al. Effect of fiber supplementation on the microbiota in critically ill patients. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2011;2(6):138-45.) After 2 to 5 weeks of fiber supplementation in diarrhea patients group, there was a 6-fold increase in firmicutes, followed by a significant increase in fecal SCFAs (acetate p = 0.01; propionate p = 0.006; and butyrate p = 0.04).(66 O'Keefe SJ, Ou J, Delany JP, Curry S, Zoetendal E, Gaskins HR, et al. Effect of fiber supplementation on the microbiota in critically ill patients. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2011;2(6):138-45.) Microbial counts, such as major butyrate producers, E. rectale, E. hallii, and R. intestinalis, which belong to the Clostridia cluster,(66 O'Keefe SJ, Ou J, Delany JP, Curry S, Zoetendal E, Gaskins HR, et al. Effect of fiber supplementation on the microbiota in critically ill patients. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2011;2(6):138-45.) also increased. Similarly, there were increases in R. bromii, R. obeum, and Sporobacter terminitidis, organisms that degrade starch and other complex carbohydrates.(66 O'Keefe SJ, Ou J, Delany JP, Curry S, Zoetendal E, Gaskins HR, et al. Effect of fiber supplementation on the microbiota in critically ill patients. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2011;2(6):138-45.)

Length of intensive care unit stay and death

Caparrós et al. found that the ICU stay was significantly shorter in the control group (p = 0.01).(88 Caparrós T, Lopez J, Grau T. Early enteral nutrition in critically ill patients with a high-protein diet enriched with arginine, fiber, and antioxidants compared with a standard high-protein diet. The effect on nosocomial infections and outcome. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2001;25(6):299-308; discussion 308-9.) Nevertheless, Spapen H et al.(99 Spapen H, Diltoer M, Van Malderen C, Opdenacker G, Suys E, Huyghens L. Soluble fiber reduces the incidence of diarrhea in septic patients receiving total enteral nutrition: a prospective, double-blind, randomized, and controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2001;20(4):301-5.) stated that no difference was identified between the control and study groups. Chittawatanarat et al. showed significant differences between ICU and length of hospital stay (LOS) for the fiber supplemented group (p = 0.07).(1212 Chittawatanarat K, Pokawinpudisnun P, Polbhakdee Y. Mixed fibers diet in surgical ICU septic patients. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2010;19(4):458-64.)

Three studies presented details regarding death. There was a lower number of in-hospital deaths in all studies; however, there were no statistically significant differences among the study groups.(88 Caparrós T, Lopez J, Grau T. Early enteral nutrition in critically ill patients with a high-protein diet enriched with arginine, fiber, and antioxidants compared with a standard high-protein diet. The effect on nosocomial infections and outcome. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2001;25(6):299-308; discussion 308-9.,99 Spapen H, Diltoer M, Van Malderen C, Opdenacker G, Suys E, Huyghens L. Soluble fiber reduces the incidence of diarrhea in septic patients receiving total enteral nutrition: a prospective, double-blind, randomized, and controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2001;20(4):301-5.,1111 Spindler-Vesel A, Bengmark S, Vovk I, Cerovic O, Kompan L. Synbiotics, prebiotics, glutamine, or peptide in early enteral nutrition: a randomized study in trauma patients. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2007;31(2):119-26.) As expected, Spindler-Vesel et al. showed that mortality was significantly associated with a higher age (p < 0.0004), higher Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score (p < 0.015), and higher Multiple Organ Failure (MOF) score (p < 0.02).(1111 Spindler-Vesel A, Bengmark S, Vovk I, Cerovic O, Kompan L. Synbiotics, prebiotics, glutamine, or peptide in early enteral nutrition: a randomized study in trauma patients. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2007;31(2):119-26.) Furthermore, less feeding in the first four days (p < 0.04) and higher gastric volume retention (p < 0.0004) were also associated with death.(1111 Spindler-Vesel A, Bengmark S, Vovk I, Cerovic O, Kompan L. Synbiotics, prebiotics, glutamine, or peptide in early enteral nutrition: a randomized study in trauma patients. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2007;31(2):119-26.) Caparrós et al. reported that mortality after 6 months was considerably different on cumulative survival curves favoring the intervention group (p < 0.05).(88 Caparrós T, Lopez J, Grau T. Early enteral nutrition in critically ill patients with a high-protein diet enriched with arginine, fiber, and antioxidants compared with a standard high-protein diet. The effect on nosocomial infections and outcome. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2001;25(6):299-308; discussion 308-9.)

DISCUSSION

From a physiological point of view, dietary fiber may be divided in two groups: water soluble (e.g., pectin and β-glycan) and water insoluble (e.g., cellulose).(1313 Carbohydrates in human nutrition. Report of a Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation. FAO Food Nutr Pap. 1998;66:1-140.) Non-fermentable insoluble fibers increase the volume of stool, and because of mechanical stimulation of the gut mucosa, they decrease fecal transit time.(1414 Rosin PM, Lajolo FM, Menezes EW. Measurement and characterization of dietary starches. J Food Compos Anal. 2002;15(4):367-77.) Almost all soluble fiber fractions are completely fermented in the large bowel.(1414 Rosin PM, Lajolo FM, Menezes EW. Measurement and characterization of dietary starches. J Food Compos Anal. 2002;15(4):367-77.) During bacterial fermentation of soluble fiber, SCFAs, mainly butyrate, are produced.(1515 Champ MM. Physiological aspects of resistant starch and in vivo measurements. J AOAC Int. 2004;87(3):749-55.) Butyrate is considered the main energy substrate for enterocytes and a stimulator of growth and differentiation.(1515 Champ MM. Physiological aspects of resistant starch and in vivo measurements. J AOAC Int. 2004;87(3):749-55.) Moreover, SCFAs are crucial to inhibit pro-inflammatory mediator activities in the intestinal epithelium.(1616 Topping DL, Clifton PM. Short-chain fatty acids and human colonic function: roles of resistant starch and nonstarch polysaccharides. Physiol Rev. 2001;81(3):1031-64.) Fibers promote beneficial bacterial growth, such as lactobacillus and bifidobacteria, which are referred to as prebiotics because they improve gut barrier function, host immunity, and reduce overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, such as Clostridia.(1717 Kolida S, Gibson GR. Prebiotic capacity of inulin-type fructans. J Nutr. 2007;137(11 Suppl):2503S-2506S.) For this reason, fibers are considered an important anti-diarrheal tool.(1717 Kolida S, Gibson GR. Prebiotic capacity of inulin-type fructans. J Nutr. 2007;137(11 Suppl):2503S-2506S.)

The frequency of diarrhea in EN patients ranged from 2% to 95%. This substantial range was a result of the distinct definitions of diarrhea and different measurement methods.(1818 Whelan K, Judd PA, Tuohy KM, Gibson GR, Preedy VR, Taylor MA. Fecal microbiota in patients receiving enteral feeding are highly variable and may be altered in those who develop diarrhea. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009;89(1):240-7.) In critically ill patients, this result ranged from 29% to 72%.(1919 Elpern EH, Stutz L, Peterson S, Gurka DP, Skipper A. Outcomes associated with enteral tube feeding in a medical intensive care unit. Am J Crit Care. 2004;13(3);221-7.) Whelan et al. assumed that EN changes transit time and secretory mechanisms, thus contributing to worsen an already critical scenario.(1818 Whelan K, Judd PA, Tuohy KM, Gibson GR, Preedy VR, Taylor MA. Fecal microbiota in patients receiving enteral feeding are highly variable and may be altered in those who develop diarrhea. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009;89(1):240-7.) Yagmurdur et al. identified diarrhea as the most frequent complication, which occurred in half of the patients. The authors considered EN as a contributing factor to diarrhea in ICU patients because it changes gut physiology and gastrointestinal microbiota.(22 Yagmurdur H, Leblebici F. Enteral nutrition preference in critical care: fibre-enriched or fibre-free? Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2016;25(4):740-6.)

No study addressing critically ill patients has been designed to consider only insoluble fibers. Studies typically consider insoluble and soluble fibers mixed together for this ICU population.(2020 Toledo D, Castro M. Terapia Nutricional em UTI. Rio de Janeiro: Rubio; 2015.) Older studies, which have not been included in this review, have demonstrated contrasting results for the use of mixed fibers in the management of diarrhea in the ICU.(2121 Dobb GJ, Towler SC. Diarrhoea during enteral feeding in the critically ill: a comparison of feeds with and without fibre. Intensive Care Med. 1990;16(4):252-5.

22 Frankenfield DC, Beyer PL. Soy-polysaccharide fiber: effect on diarrhea in tube-fed, head-injured patients. Am J Clin Nutr. 1989;50(3):533-8.
-2323 Guenter PA, Settle RG, Perlmutter S, Marino PL, DeSimone GA, Rolandelli RH. Tube feeding-related diarrhea in acutely Ill patients. J PEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 1991;15(3):277-80.)

Dobb and Towler demonstrated that diarrhea occurred more frequently in patients who were administered a soy-polysaccharide enriched diet.(2121 Dobb GJ, Towler SC. Diarrhoea during enteral feeding in the critically ill: a comparison of feeds with and without fibre. Intensive Care Med. 1990;16(4):252-5.) Frankenfield and Beyer showed that tube feedings containing soy-polysaccharide fiber did not seem to have an effect on bowel function in well-nourished head-injured patients.(2222 Frankenfield DC, Beyer PL. Soy-polysaccharide fiber: effect on diarrhea in tube-fed, head-injured patients. Am J Clin Nutr. 1989;50(3):533-8.) Guenter et al. reported that soy-polysaccharide fiber reduced the incidence percentage of diarrhea per total feeding days, as well as the frequency of positive Clostridia toxin, although it was not significant.(2323 Guenter PA, Settle RG, Perlmutter S, Marino PL, DeSimone GA, Rolandelli RH. Tube feeding-related diarrhea in acutely Ill patients. J PEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 1991;15(3):277-80.) These studies analyzed only one type of fiber, in addition to being conducted many years ago. Nevertheless, a meta-analysis performed in 2008, which included 13 studies, indicated that soluble fibers could significantly reduce episodes of diarrhea in patients (p = 0.03), but not in patients under intensive care.(2424 Elia M, Engfer MB, Green CJ, Silk DB. Systematic review and meta-analysis: the clinical and physiological effects of fibre-containing enteral formulae. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2008;27(2):120-45.) They reported that the beneficial mean fiber intake amount is approximately 30g/day in most studies.(2424 Elia M, Engfer MB, Green CJ, Silk DB. Systematic review and meta-analysis: the clinical and physiological effects of fibre-containing enteral formulae. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2008;27(2):120-45.) This study included both healthy individuals and hospitalized patients. In our findings, which considered critically ill patients, they received approximately 2.6g/L to 12g tid of fiber.

Studies that were not conducted inside an ICU showed benefits in dietary fiber use. Kurasawa et al. demonstrated that dietary fiber increases the stool weight and contributes to easier defecation.(2525 Kurasawa S, Haack VS, Marlett JA. Plant residue and bacteria as bases for increased stool weight accompanying consumption of higher dietary fibre diets. J Am Coll Nutr. 2000;19(4):426-33.) Salmerón et al. reported dietary fiber(2626 Salmerón J, Manson JE, Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA, Wing AL, Willet WC. Dietary fiber, glycemic load, and risk of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in women. JAMA. 1997;277(6):472-7.) effects on the management of glucose. Fibers improve gut barrier function and host immunity, thus reducing the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, such as Clostridia.(1717 Kolida S, Gibson GR. Prebiotic capacity of inulin-type fructans. J Nutr. 2007;137(11 Suppl):2503S-2506S.) The immunological support provided by fructo-oligosaccharides includes increased T-lymphocytes in adults, an increased antibody response to vaccines in infants, and reduced antibiotic consumption.(2626 Salmerón J, Manson JE, Stampfer MJ, Colditz GA, Wing AL, Willet WC. Dietary fiber, glycemic load, and risk of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in women. JAMA. 1997;277(6):472-7.

27 Guigoz Y, Rochat F, Perruisseau-Carrier G, Rochat I, Schiffrin EJ. Effects of oligosaccharides on the faecal flora and nonspecific immune system in elderly people. Nutr Res. 2002;22(1-2):13-25.

28 Firmansyah A, Pramita G, Fassler AC, Haschke F, Link-Amster H. Improved humoral immune response to measles vaccine in infants receiving infant cereal with fructo-oligosaccharides. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2001;31:A521.
-2929 Saavedra JM, Tschernia A. Human studies with probiotics and prebiotics: clinical implications. Br J Nutr. 2002;87 Suppl 2:S241-6.) Majid et al. reported that fibers reduced the diarrhea incidence in patients receiving enteral nutrition.(3030 Majid HA, Emery PW, Whelan K. Faecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acids in patients receiving enteral nutrition with standard or fructo-oligosaccharides and fibre-enriched formulas. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2011;24(3):260-8.)

Enteral nutrition is a contributing factor to ICU diarrhea because it alters gut physiology.(22 Yagmurdur H, Leblebici F. Enteral nutrition preference in critical care: fibre-enriched or fibre-free? Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2016;25(4):740-6.) Whelan et al. suggested that enteral feeding changes the transit time, secretory mechanisms, and microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract.(1818 Whelan K, Judd PA, Tuohy KM, Gibson GR, Preedy VR, Taylor MA. Fecal microbiota in patients receiving enteral feeding are highly variable and may be altered in those who develop diarrhea. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009;89(1):240-7.) Therefore, diarrhea and a greater gastric residual volume were identified as the most frequent complications in this patient profile,(3131 Montejo JC. Enteral nutrition related gastrointestinal complications in critically ill patients: a multicenter study. The Nutritional and Metabolic Working Group of the Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine and Coronary Units. Crit Care Med. 1999;27(8):1447-53.) although this analysis may widely vary because of the different gastric residual volume measurement methods. Moreover, being careful to increase diet infusion and the use of metoclopramide may be factors that affect gastric emptying and cause low gastric residual volumes.(22 Yagmurdur H, Leblebici F. Enteral nutrition preference in critical care: fibre-enriched or fibre-free? Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2016;25(4):740-6.)

This review, which included only ICU patients, showed that diarrhea was improved in most studies.(22 Yagmurdur H, Leblebici F. Enteral nutrition preference in critical care: fibre-enriched or fibre-free? Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2016;25(4):740-6.,66 O'Keefe SJ, Ou J, Delany JP, Curry S, Zoetendal E, Gaskins HR, et al. Effect of fiber supplementation on the microbiota in critically ill patients. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2011;2(6):138-45.,99 Spapen H, Diltoer M, Van Malderen C, Opdenacker G, Suys E, Huyghens L. Soluble fiber reduces the incidence of diarrhea in septic patients receiving total enteral nutrition: a prospective, double-blind, randomized, and controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2001;20(4):301-5.,1010 Rushdi TA, Pichard C, Khater YH. Control of diarrhea by fiber-enriched diet in ICU patients on enteral nutrition: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2004;23(6):1344-52.,1212 Chittawatanarat K, Pokawinpudisnun P, Polbhakdee Y. Mixed fibers diet in surgical ICU septic patients. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2010;19(4):458-64.) These findings demonstrate the importance of fiber use for critical care. In addition, studies indicated potential improvements in infections,(88 Caparrós T, Lopez J, Grau T. Early enteral nutrition in critically ill patients with a high-protein diet enriched with arginine, fiber, and antioxidants compared with a standard high-protein diet. The effect on nosocomial infections and outcome. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2001;25(6):299-308; discussion 308-9.,1111 Spindler-Vesel A, Bengmark S, Vovk I, Cerovic O, Kompan L. Synbiotics, prebiotics, glutamine, or peptide in early enteral nutrition: a randomized study in trauma patients. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2007;31(2):119-26.) as well as mortality,(88 Caparrós T, Lopez J, Grau T. Early enteral nutrition in critically ill patients with a high-protein diet enriched with arginine, fiber, and antioxidants compared with a standard high-protein diet. The effect on nosocomial infections and outcome. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2001;25(6):299-308; discussion 308-9.) even if these effects are discrete.

The last publication of the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) in 2006 did not include recommendations for the issue.(3232 Kreymann KG, Berger MM, Deutz NE, Hiesmayr M, Jolliet P, Kazandjiev G, Nitenberg G, van den Berghe G, Wernerman J; DGEM (German Society for Nutritional Medicine), Ebner C, Hartl W, Heymann C, Spies C; ESPEN (European Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition). ESPEN Guidelines on Enteral Nutrition: Intensive care. Clin Nutr. 2006;25(2):210-23.) This finding is similar to the Canadian Society, which considered the published data were not sufficiently consistent to recommend the daily use of fibers in the ICU.(2020 Toledo D, Castro M. Terapia Nutricional em UTI. Rio de Janeiro: Rubio; 2015.,3333 Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines. Composition of enteral nutrition: Fibre. Updated recommendations, May 28th 2009. Available in: www.criticalcarenutrition.com/docs/cpg/srrev.pdf. (Accessed on 18th Dec., 2016).
www.criticalcarenutrition.com/docs/cpg/s...
) However, in a recent publication, the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) recommended only soluble fiber for critically stable hemodynamic patients who developed diarrhea.(3434 McClave SA, Taylor BE, Martindale RG, Warren MM, Johnson DR, Braunschweig C, McCarthy MS, Davanos E, Rice TW, Cresci GA, Gervasio JM, Sacks GS, Roberts PR, Compher C; Society of Critical Care Medicine; American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. Guidelines for the provision and assessment of nutrition support therapy in the adult critically ill patient: Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) and American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.). JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 2016;40(2):159-211.) Furthermore, the use of insoluble fiber for critically ill patients in general was contraindicated.(3434 McClave SA, Taylor BE, Martindale RG, Warren MM, Johnson DR, Braunschweig C, McCarthy MS, Davanos E, Rice TW, Cresci GA, Gervasio JM, Sacks GS, Roberts PR, Compher C; Society of Critical Care Medicine; American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. Guidelines for the provision and assessment of nutrition support therapy in the adult critically ill patient: Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) and American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.). JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 2016;40(2):159-211.) Moreover, although the articles used for this recommendation were based on case reports,(3434 McClave SA, Taylor BE, Martindale RG, Warren MM, Johnson DR, Braunschweig C, McCarthy MS, Davanos E, Rice TW, Cresci GA, Gervasio JM, Sacks GS, Roberts PR, Compher C; Society of Critical Care Medicine; American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. Guidelines for the provision and assessment of nutrition support therapy in the adult critically ill patient: Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) and American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.). JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 2016;40(2):159-211.) both fiber types should be avoided for patients at risk for mesenteric ischemia or severe motility impairment.

One should be aware that this systematic review presents several limitations. Although the whole protocol that includes all relevant articles was carefully applied, the small number of studies certainly hinders broader considerations. Moreover, some studies were conducted and published many years ago, which also hampers comparisons to current studies when more technologically processed diets and resources in the ICU have been developed.

CONCLUSION

The use of soluble fiber in all hemodynamically stable, critically ill patients is safe and may be considered to be beneficial for reducing gastrointestinal symptoms, mainly diarrhea. Therefore, the use of soluble fiber may assist in the treatment of critically ill patients. Thus, more studies are needed to improve the routine use of an enriched fiber diet in intensive care unit patients.

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    Dobb GJ, Towler SC. Diarrhoea during enteral feeding in the critically ill: a comparison of feeds with and without fibre. Intensive Care Med. 1990;16(4):252-5.
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Edited by

Responsible editor: Alexandre Biasi Cavalcanti

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Jul-Sept 2018

History

  • Received
    12 July 2017
  • Accepted
    04 Nov 2017
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