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Meta-Analysis
. 2017;21(6):655-661.
doi: 10.1007/s12603-016-0822-y.

Efficacy of a Disease-Specific Nutritional Support for Pressure Ulcer Healing: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

E Cereda  1 , J C L Neyens, R Caccialanza, M Rondanelli, J M G A Schols
Affiliations
Free article
Meta-Analysis

Efficacy of a Disease-Specific Nutritional Support for Pressure Ulcer Healing: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

E Cereda et al. J Nutr Health Aging. 2017.
Free article

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the evidence on the efficacy of high-calorie, high-protein nutritional formula enriched with arginine, zinc, and antioxidants (disease-specific support) in patients with pressure ulcers (PUs).

Methods: Randomized controlled trials in English published from January 1997 until October 2015 were searched for in electronic databases (EMBASE, Medline, PubMed, and CINAHL). Studies comparing a disease-specific nutritional support (oral supplements or tube feeding) to a control nutritional intervention enabling the satisfaction of energy requirements regardless of the use of high-calorie formula or placebo or no support for at least 4 weeks were considered eligible. Study outcomes were the percentage of change in PU area, complete healing and reduction in the PU area ≥40% at 8 weeks, and the percentage of change in area at 4 weeks.

Results: A total of 3 studies could be included in the meta-analysis. Compared with control interventions, formulas enriched with arginine, zinc and antioxidants resulted in significantly higher reduction in ulcer area (-15.7% [95%CI, -29.9, -1.5]; P=0.030; I2=58.6%) and a higher proportion of participants having a 40% or greater reduction in PU size (OR=1.72 [95%CI, 1.04, 2.84]; P=0.033; I2=0.0%) at 8 weeks. A nearly significant difference in complete healing at 8 weeks (OR=1.72 [95%CI, 0.86, 3.45]; P=0.127; I2=0.0%) and the percentage of change in the area at 4 weeks (-7.1% [95%CI, -17.4, 3.3]; P=0.180; I2=0.0%) was also observed.

Conclusions: This systematic review shows that the use of formulas enriched with arginine, zinc and antioxidants as oral supplements and tube feeds for at least 8 weeks are associated with improved PU healing compared with standard formulas.

Keywords: Pressure ulcers; arginine; healing; malnutrition; nutritional support.

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Conflict of interest statement

The Authors certify that there are no affiliations with, or involvement in, any organization or entity that has a direct financial interest in the subject matter, or material, discussed in the manuscript. Dr. Cereda reports having received (not for the present study and before 2010) consultancy and speaker honoraria and investigator grants from the “Fondazione Grigioni per il Morbo di Parkinson”, the Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo and Nutricia Italia

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