European journal of clinical nutrition
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Appetite during the recovery phase of critical illness: a cohort study.
Reduced appetite is a recognised physiological symptom in survivors of critical illness. While reduced appetite has been reported by patients after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge, quantification using visual analogue scales (VAS) has not been previously performed, and follow-up duration has been limited. We aimed to describe appetite scores in ICU survivors during the first 3 months after ICU discharge and explore association with systemic inflammation. ⋯ ICU survivors experience reduced appetite during the acute recovery phase of critical illness that could impact on nutritional recovery and this was associated with CRP concentration 1 week after ICU discharge.