Outcome

Group R

Group S

Rapid EN

advancement

Slow EN

advancement

P value

n=41

n=24

All-cause mortality

In EICU, n (%)

0 (0)

0 (0)

1.000

In hospital, n (%)

3 (7)

0 (0)

0.244

Length of stay

ICU-free days, days; median (IQR)

19.0 (13.5 - 22.0)

20.5 (15.3 - 23.0)

0.309

Length of hospital stay, days; median (IQR)

38.3 (29.1 - 54.1)

50.4 (35.7 - 61.2)

0.128

Mechanical ventilation

Mechanical ventilation-free days, days; median (IQR)

18.0 (0.0 - 22.0)

21.0 (16.3 - 24.8)

0.046

Requirement for mechanical ventilation at hospital discharge, n (%)

12 (29)

2 (8)

0.030

Tracheostomy, n (%)

In EICU

18 (44)

12 (50)

0.448

In hospital

26 (63)

17 (71)

0.422

Antibiotic-free days, days; median (IQR)

15.0 (8.5 - 19.0)

12.5 (8.0 - 18.8)

0.410

Highest CRP, mg/dl; median (IQR)

16.0 (9.6 - 22.9)

16.2 (8.3 - 21.6)

0.703

Pneumonia

Clinical diagnosis of pneumonia, n (%)

16 (39)

9 (38)

0.559

Development of VAP, n (%)

1 (2)

0 (0)

0.631

Liver and kidney dysfunction

Liver dysfunction (serum bilirubin > 1.2 mg/dl), n (%)

9 (22)

6 (25)

0.503

Renal dysfunction (serum creatinine > 1.2 mg/dl) or requirement for RRT, n (%)

16 (39)

4 (17)

0.052

Glycemic control

Hypoglycemia (<70 mg/dl) free days, days; median (IQR)

28.0 (26.5 - 28.0)

28.0 (27.0 - 28.0)

0.539

Received insulin administration, n (%)

First week in EICU

19 (46)

6 (25)

0.073

During 28 days after EICU admission

22 (54)

8 (33)

0.092

Average insulin daily dose (units)

First week in EICU

7.8 (2.7 - 16.8)

4.8 (1.6 - 26.3)

0.775

During 28 days after EICU admission

2.5 (0.6 - 11.0)

1.2 (0.4 - 20.6)

0.386

Electrolytes

Hypophosphatemia (<2.7 mg/dl), n (%)

First week in EICU

18 (44)

8 (33)

0.193

During 28 days after EICU admission

22 (54)

8 (33)

0.400