Inflammatory and Metabolic Prognostic Assessment in Critically Ill Neurological Patients

A multi-center, prospective case data collection study will be conducted across 19 tertiary hospitals in China. Based on this, a predictive assessment model for poor prognosis in neurocritically ill patients receiving enteral nutrition support will be developed and validated, using key inflammatory and metabolic markers. During the data collection process, comprehensive clinical information will be extracted, including patient demographic data, clinical indicators, and hematological markers. By conducting in-depth analysis and processing of this vast and detailed clinical and laboratory data, a nomogram for predicting poor prognosis in neurocritical care patients receiving enteral nutrition support will be constructed using statistical methods and data analysis techniques in R. Once the model is built, it will undergo rigorous validation on an independent external dataset to ensure its accuracy and reliability. The goal is to create a precise assessment tool for clinicians, helping them to quickly and accurately identify high-nutritional-risk patients, thereby providing a solid scientific foundation for the formulation of individualized nutrition support strategies, ultimately improving the prognosis of neurocritical patients.

Inclusion criteria

• Age between 18 and 80 years, no gender restrictions.
• Within 7 days of disease onset and expected NICU stay of at least 7 days.
• Eligible for enrollment within 24 hours of NICU admission, with enteral nutrition (EN) initiated and continued for at least 7 days.
• Non-traumatic severe brain injury patients (including cerebrovascular disease and encephalitis) with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score ≤12.
• NRS 2002 score ≥3.
• Kuwata drinking test ≥ grade 3.
• Acute Gastrointestinal Injury (AGI) grade 1 or 2.
• Signed informed consent obtained from the patient or their legal representative.

Exclusion criteria

• Severe malnutrition prior to admission, defined as BMI < 16 kg/m².
• Pregnant or lactating women.
• Receiving hypothermia treatment or core body temperature < 36°C.
• End-stage disease with an expected survival time of < 48 hours, or severe dysfunction of the heart, lungs, or other vital organs, leading to hemodynamic instability.
• Malignant tumors.