Impact of a High-Protein Diet on Clinical Outcomes in Mechanically Ventilated Patients With Severe Pneumonia

Impact of a High-Protein Diet on Clinical Outcomes in Mechanically Ventilated Patients With Severe Pneumonia

prospective, comparative, observational study will be conducted at the Critical Care Department, Fayoum University Hospital, to evaluate the impact of a high-protein diet versus a standard-protein diet in mechanically ventilated patients with severe pneumonia.

prospective, comparative, observational study will be conducted at the Critical Care Department, Fayoum University Hospital, aims to evaluate the effect of a high-protein diet on clinical outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients with severe pneumonia, focusing on muscle preservation and weaning ability. The specific objectives are:

1. To assess the impact of high-protein intake on skeletal muscle mass using quadriceps ultrasound.
2. To evaluate diaphragmatic function and thickness in relation to protein intake using ultrasound.
3. To determine the effect of high-protein nutrition on weaning success, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay and mortality.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 18 years.
• Mechanically ventilated patients with severe pneumonia.
• Expected ICU stay ≥ 72 hours.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who died before 72 hours of ICU admission.

• Chronic liver failure or decompensated cirrhosis.

• End-stage renal disease (CKD stage 5 or dialysis dependent).

• Neuromuscular diseases or pre-existing severe muscle wasting.

• Pregnancy.

• Patients with pre-existing malnutrition (e.g., BMI <18.5 kg/m² ).

• Contraindications to enteral feeding, such as:

  1. Mechanical bowel obstruction.
  2. Severe gastrointestinal bleeding.
  3. High-output fistulas involving the gastrointestinal tract.
  4. Recent gastrointestinal surgery preventing enteral access.