Nutrition risk screening in the ICU.

Purpose of review To review recent studies that may help to identify patients in the ICU who benefit from nutrition support. Recent findings One recent controlled trial did not show any clinical benefit of nutrition support among a sample of ICU patients who were hitherto believed to benefit from nutrition support. Several recent observational studies suggest benefit of nutrition support among patients who have a high nutric score, in itself derived from an observational study. Summary Regrettably, the decision about nutrition support in ICU patients still depends on physiological reasoning: a high degree of inflammation/stress metabolism, which will last for a considerable time, especially among those who are fragile (already malnourished, elderly, those with chronic diseases and/or other comorbidities).