Effects of dietary fibre on enteral feeding intolerance and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients: A meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although some studies have explored the relationships between dietary fibre and enteral feeding intolerance in critically ill patients, the results are equivocal. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the effects of dietary fibre on enteral feeding intolerance and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients. METHODS: We searched five databases from inception to July 12, 2021. Data were expressed as mean difference or odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Thirteen studies enrolled 709 critically ill patients included in the study. The results showed the dietary fibre group had a significantly decreased risk of diarrhea (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.30,0.69, P < 0.001), regurgitation (OR 0.28, 95%CI 0.13, 0.60, P < 0.05), vomiting (OR 0.40, 95%CI 0.17, 0.92, P < 0.05), constipation (OR 0.21, 95%CI 0.09, 0.47, P < 0.001) and mortality (OR0.34; 95%CI-0.13, 0.91; P < 0.05) compared with the fibre free group. Besides, there was a significant decrease on time to reach full enteral nutrition (MD-2.08; 95%CI-4.05, -0.12; P < 0.05), the duration of the intensive care unit stay (MD-4.62; 95%CI-6.60, -2.64; P < 0.001) and hospital stay (MD-6.42; 95%CI-9.49, -3.36; P < 0.001) in the dietary fibre group. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary fibre supplementation may significantly reduce the risk of enteral feeding intolerance and improve the clinical outcomes.