The CALORIES trial compared parenteral nutrition (PN) versus enteral nutrition (EN) in critically ill adults in the first 5 days of ICU admission. The primary outcome (mortality at 30 days) showed:

• A EN had significantly lower 30-day mortality
• B PN had significantly lower 30-day mortality
• C PN caused significantly more infectious complications
• D No significant difference in 30-day mortality between PN and EN ✓

Explanation

The CALORIES trial (Harvey et al., NEJM 2014) found no significant difference in 30-day mortality between parenteral and enteral nutrition in critically ill adults. EN was associated with more vomiting and hypoglycaemia, while PN had more liver dysfunction. This challenged the dogma of EN superiority and suggested that early PN is a safe alternative when EN is not feasible. Duration of ICU stay and infectious complications were also similar.

Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.