Glucose absorption and small intestinal transit in critical illness

Abstract

Objectives: Although enteral nutrition is standard care for critically ill patients, nutrient absorption has not been quantified in this group and may be impaired due to intestinal dysmotility. The objectives of this study were to measure small intestinal glucose absorption and duodenocecal transit and determine their relationship with glycemia in the critically ill. Design: Prospective observational study of healthy and critically ill subjects. Setting: Tertiary mixed medical-surgical adult intensive care unit. SUBJECTS:: Twenty-eight critically ill patients and 16 healthy subjects were studied. MATERIALS AND MAIN RESULTS:: Liquid feed (100 kcal/100 mL), labeled with Tc-sulfur colloid and i..