β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation and functional outcomes in multi-trauma patients: a study protocol for a pilot randomised clinical trial (BOOST trial)

Abstract

Background: There are no therapies proven to diminish the muscle wasting that occurs in patients after major trauma who are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) is a nutrition intervention that may attenuate muscle loss and, thereby, improve recovery. The primary aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of a blinded randomised clinical trial of HMB supplementation to patients after major trauma who are admitted to the ICU. Secondary aims are to establish estimates for the impact of HMB when compared to placebo on muscle mass and nutrition-related patient outcomes. Methods: This prospective, single-centre, blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled..