Effect of Continuous Versus Cyclic Daytime Enteral Nutrition on Circadian Rhythms in Critical Illness

Last updated: March 18, 2025
Sponsor: Leiden University Medical Center
Overall Status: Completed

Phase

N/A

Condition

Diet And Nutrition

Treatment

Cyclic daytime enteral nutrition

Clinical Study ID

NCT05795881
P22.080
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders

Study Summary

Disruption of circadian rhythms is frequently observed in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) and is associated with worse clinical outcomes. The ICU environment presents weak and conflicting timing cues to the circadian clock, including continuous enteral nutrition. The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effect of timing of enteral nutrition on the circadian rhythm in critically ill patients. Patients admitted to the intensive care unit will be allocated to receive either continuous or cyclic daytime (8am to 8 pm) enteral feeding. Differences in circadian rhythms will be assessed by 24h patterns in core body temperature, heart rate variability, melatonin and peripheral clock gene expression. Secondary outcomes include depth of sleep, glucose variability and incidence of feeding intolerance. This study is expected to contribute to the optimalisation of circadian rhythms in the ICU.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age ≥ 18 years old

  • Receiving of or intention to start enteral nutrition via nasogastric or nasoduodenaltube

  • Arterial line

  • Expected duration of ICU admission > 48 hours

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Receiving parenteral nutrition

  • Prior night-time (20.00h - 8.00h) enteral tube feeding within the samehospitalization before study inclusion

  • Readmission to ICU with prior study inclusion

  • Chronic enteral tube feeding prior to current admission

  • Presence of one or more contraindications of enteral feeding and/or at significantrisk for gastrointestinal tolerance according to standard protocol (including butnot limited to gastrointestinal haemorrhage, intestinal ischemia or necrosis,impaired digestive tract integrity due to obstruction or perforation, gastrectomy,enterectomy, history of gastroparesis or oesophageal dysmotility or expected surgerywithin 24 hours)

  • Patients with glycaemic emergency (including but not limited to hyperglycaemichyperosmolar nonketotic coma, diabetic ketoacidosis, severe hypoglycaemia resultingin ICU admission) or patients controlling their glucose levels and insulin dosingvia continuous glucose monitoring

  • Expected death within 24 hours

  • Do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order

  • Treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

  • Severe neurological damage (significant neurological abnormalities such as bleeding,ischemia, neurotrauma or severe encephalopathy with Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 8)

  • Suspected or confirmed pregnancy

Study Design

Total Participants: 60
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: Cyclic daytime enteral nutrition
Phase:
Study Start date:
June 14, 2023
Estimated Completion Date:
March 15, 2025

Connect with a study center

  • Leiden University Medical Center

    Leiden, 2333ZA
    Netherlands

    Site Not Available

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