PPT Slide
Results of literature review
Reference: Novak F, Heyland DK, Avenell A, Drover J, Xiangyao Su. Glutamine supplementation in serious illness: A systematic review of the evidence. Crit Care Med 2002; 30(9):2022-2029
Patients type / studies included: total of 14 RCTs with 757 critically ill and elective Sx pts: 8 studies of 272 elective surgery pts comparing glutamine enhanced PN to standard PN
Best Level of Evidence: Level II Internal validity score: 6 / 6
(Grade) Recommendations (Sx studies only, PN only):
A2 - number of infectious complications was significantly lower with glutamine enhanced PN (RR 0.36 95%CI 0.14 to 0.92)
A2 - significantly reduced LoS with glutamine enhanced PN
(-3.54 days, 95%CI -5.3 to -1.76 days)
Caveats: - high dose may be better (> 0.20g/kg per day)
- no difference in mortality in the studies of elective Sx pts (RR 0.99 95%CI 0.27 to 3.58)