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Effect of Protein Dosage on Persistent Acute Renal Failure in Critically Ill Patients.

1 de junio de 2026 actualizado por: Ivan A. Huespe, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires

Background:

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in critically ill patients and is associated with worse outcomes, including longer ICU stay, need for dialysis, and higher mortality. Patients with AKI often experience significant protein and calorie loss due to their illness and medical treatments. Providing the right amount of protein may help maintain muscle mass and improve recovery; however, consuming too much protein could potentially worsen kidney function. Current international guidelines recommend adequate protein intake, but the best dose remains uncertain, especially for patients with AKI.

Study Purpose:

This research will examine whether patients with AKI who receive a higher protein intake (greater than 1.2 g/kg/day) have different outcomes compared to those who receive a standard or lower protein intake (≤1.2 g/kg/day). The primary outcome is whether a higher protein intake leads to a longer recovery time from AKI or worsens kidney function.

Study Design:

This is a retrospective, multicenter study using data from five hospitals in Argentina. It is designed as a "target trial emulation," meaning researchers will analyze existing patient data as if it were a randomized clinical trial. Patients will be included on the fifth day of their ICU stay and classified into two groups based on their protein intake on day 5:

  • Group 1 (Standard Protein): ≤1.2 g/kg/day
  • Group 2 (High Protein): >1.2 g/kg/day No additional interventions will be performed; data are collected from medical records.

Study Population:

The study will include adult patients (≥18 years) admitted to the ICU who are receiving exclusive enteral or parenteral nutrition and have AKI (or worsening chronic kidney disease) according to KDIGO criteria. Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (creatinine clearance <30 ml/min/1.73 m²) or undergoing hemodialysis at T0, previous kidney transplant, severe liver disease, or BMI >30 will be excluded.

Outcomes:

  • Primary Outcome: Time to recovery of kidney function within 30 days, measured by creatinine returning close to baseline values.
  • Secondary Outcomes: Changes in blood urea levels, duration of renal replacement therapy (hemodialysis), ICU length of stay, and 30-day mortality.

Statistical Approach:

To minimize bias, the study will use advanced statistical methods, including propensity score weighting, to ensure fair comparison between groups. Competing risks (such as death before kidney recovery) will be taken into account in the analysis.

Significance:

This study will provide important information about the safety and effectiveness of higher protein intake in critically ill patients with AKI. The findings may help guide nutritional strategies in the ICU, optimize kidney outcomes, and improve patient care.

Descripción general del estudio

Estado

Reclutamiento

Condiciones

Descripción detallada

Background:

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication in critically ill patients and is associated with prolonged hospital stay, need for renal replacement therapy (RRT), and higher mortality. Patients with AKI often develop protein-calorie malnutrition due to increased catabolism, inflammation, and nutrient losses. This is further aggravated when RRT is required, as dialysis contributes to nitrogen and amino acid losses. Clinical guidelines recommend providing an adequate protein intake to support recovery; however, the optimal protein dose remains uncertain.

Recent trials, such as the EFFORT Protein study, suggest that higher protein intake may benefit some critically ill patients, especially those with malnutrition or frailty. However, the same study also indicated potential harm in patients with severe illness or AKI, showing that excessive protein intake (>2.2 g/kg/day) could worsen kidney outcomes and increase mortality.

Given the uncertainty regarding the actual effect of increased protein intake in patients with AKI-and the possibility that it may be harmful in those with persistent AKI-this study uses a Target Trial Emulation approach to evaluate whether protein intake on the fifth day of ICU admission exceeding 1.2 g/kg/day leads to prolonged duration of AKI in critically ill patients.

Objective:

This study aims to evaluate whether a higher protein intake (>1.2 g/kg/day) compared with standard or lower intake (≤1.2 g/kg/day) affects the duration of AKI and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients.

Study Design:

This is a retrospective, multicenter study using a target trial emulation design. Patient data will be collected from electronic health records of five tertiary hospitals in Argentina. Eligible patients will be identified on the fifth day of their ICU admission, referred to as Time Zero (T0). Classification into treatment groups will depend on protein intake at T0:

  • Group 1: Standard protein intake (≤1.2 g/kg/day)
  • Group 2: High protein intake (>1.2 g/kg/day) No interventions will be administered as part of the study; data will be analyzed retrospectively.

Population:

Inclusion criteria: age ≥18 years, ICU admission, exclusive enteral or parenteral nutrition, and presence of AKI or worsening chronic kidney disease as defined by KDIGO criteria (rise in serum creatinine >0.3 mg/dL within 48 hours, or 1.5-fold increase within 7 days).

Exclusion criteria: advanced chronic kidney disease (creatinine clearance <30 ml/min/1.73 m²) or dialysis at admission, prior kidney transplant, severe liver disease (Child-Pugh >7), AKI requiring RRT at baseline (T0), or body mass index >30.

Primary Outcome: Time to recovery of kidney function within 30 days, defined as return of serum creatinine to ≤1.5 times baseline or ≤30% above baseline, with death considered as a competing event.

Secondary Outcomes:

  • Change in blood urea levels at day 14.
  • Daily change in urea trajectory during the first 14 days.
  • Days free of AKI and days free of RRT within 30 days.
  • Mortality at day 30.
  • ICU length of stay within 30 days.
  • Reasons for initiation of RRT.

Sample Size: Based on prior literature, we estimated that 172 patients per group are required for non-inferiority testing with 80% power, α = 0.05, and a non-inferiority margin of 2 days of AKI. Adjustments for potential confounders indicate that at least 105 patients per group will be necessary.

Statistical Analysis:

  • Primary analysis will be conducted on an intention-to-treat basis.
  • Propensity score weighting with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) will be used to adjust for baseline differences between groups.
  • For time-to-event outcomes (e.g., AKI recovery, ICU discharge, mortality), competing risks will be addressed using Fine-Gray regression.
  • Continuous outcomes (e.g., urea levels) will be compared using t-tests or Mann-Whitney tests, depending on distribution. Longitudinal changes in urea will be analyzed using mixed-effects models with restricted cubic splines.
  • Proportions (e.g., mortality) will be compared using logistic regression models adjusted with propensity score weighting.

Ethical Considerations:

This study involves a retrospective review of de-identified patient data. It poses minimal risk, as no interventions are introduced beyond standard care. Confidentiality will be strictly maintained in accordance with national and local regulations, including Argentina's Personal Data Protection Law (Law 25,326). Informed consent will be waived in accordance with CIOMS guidelines, as the study is retrospective, presents minimal risk, and has significant social and scientific value.

Significance:

This study will provide new evidence on the safety and effectiveness of protein dosing in critically ill patients with AKI. The results may inform future guidelines on nutritional therapy in the ICU and optimize outcomes for patients at high risk of kidney complications.

Tipo de estudio

De observación

Inscripción (Estimado)

344

Contactos y Ubicaciones

Esta sección proporciona los datos de contacto de quienes realizan el estudio e información sobre dónde se lleva a cabo este estudio.

Estudio Contacto

Copia de seguridad de contactos de estudio

Ubicaciones de estudio

  • Argentina
    • Buenos Aires
      • Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
        • Aún no reclutando
        • Clinica Bazterrica
        • Contacto:
    • Buenos Aires F.D.
      • Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires F.D., Argentina, C1118AAT
        • Aún no reclutando
        • Hospital Aleman
        • Contacto:
          • Daniel Ignacio Ivulich, MD
          • Número de teléfono: +5491161859413
          • Correo electrónico: di.ivulich@gmail.com
      • Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires F.D., Argentina, C1199ABB
        • Reclutamiento
        • Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires
        • Contacto:
    • Córdoba Province
      • Córdoba, Córdoba Province, Argentina, X5016KEH
        • Reclutamiento
        • Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba
        • Contacto:
    • Pilar
      • Buenos Aires, Pilar, Argentina, B1629AHJ
        • Reclutamiento
        • Hospital Universitario Austral
        • Contacto:
    • San Justo
      • Buenos Aires, San Justo, Argentina, C1198AAW
        • Reclutamiento
        • Hospital Italiano sede San Justo Agustín Rocca
        • Contacto:

Criterios de participación

Los investigadores buscan personas que se ajusten a una determinada descripción, denominada criterio de elegibilidad. Algunos ejemplos de estos criterios son el estado de salud general de una persona o tratamientos previos.

Criterio de elegibilidad

Edades elegibles para estudiar

  • Adulto
  • Adulto Mayor

Acepta Voluntarios Saludables

No

Método de muestreo

Muestra no probabilística

Población de estudio

The study population consists of critically ill adult patients (≥18 years) admitted to intensive care units at five tertiary hospitals in Argentina. Eligible patients are those receiving exclusive enteral or parenteral nutrition who present with acute kidney injury (AKI) or worsening chronic kidney disease according to KDIGO criteria. Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (creatinine clearance <30 ml/min/1.73 m²) or hemodialysis at admission, previous kidney transplant, severe liver disease, or body mass index (BMI) >30 are excluded.

Descripción

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients aged 18 years or older admitted to the ICU.
  • Patients receiving exclusive enteral or parenteral nutrition
  • Acute kidney injury or exacerbated chronic kidney disease according to KDIGO criteria (increase in creatinine greater than 0.3 mg/dL in less than 48 hours or a 1.5-fold increase in baseline creatinine in 7 days)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease with a creatinine clearance of less than 30 ml/min/m2 or on dialysis at admission.
  • Patients with a history of kidney transplantation
  • Patients with severe liver disease (Child-Pugh score >7 points)
  • Patients with acute kidney injury undergoing renal replacement therapy at T0
  • BMI> 30

Plan de estudios

Esta sección proporciona detalles del plan de estudio, incluido cómo está diseñado el estudio y qué mide el estudio.

¿Cómo está diseñado el estudio?

Detalles de diseño

Cohortes e Intervenciones

Grupo / Cohorte
Patients whose protein intake at T0 is 1.2 g/kg/day or less.
Patients in this group will be those whose documented protein intake on ICU day 5 is ≤1.2 g/kg/day. No additional interventions are administered as part of the study; classification is based solely on protein intake recorded in the medical record.
Patients whose protein intake at T0 is greater than or equal to 1.2 g/kg/day.
Patients in this group will be those whose documented protein intake on ICU day 5 is greater than 1.2 g/kg/day. No additional interventions are administered as part of the study; classification is based solely on protein intake recorded in the medical record.

¿Qué mide el estudio?

Medidas de resultado primarias

Medida de resultado
Medida Descripción
Periodo de tiempo
Time to recovery of kidney function
Periodo de tiempo: Within 30 days from ICU day 5 (Time Zero) or until ICU discharge, whichever occurs first.
Recovery of kidney function will be defined as the serum creatinine returning to ≤1.5 times the baseline value or ≤30% above the baseline value, with death considered a competing event. The analysis will compare patients receiving ≤1.2 g/kg/day vs. >1.2 g/kg/day of protein intake on ICU day 5.
Within 30 days from ICU day 5 (Time Zero) or until ICU discharge, whichever occurs first.

Medidas de resultado secundarias

Medida de resultado
Medida Descripción
Periodo de tiempo
Change in blood urea levels at day 14
Periodo de tiempo: 14 days from ICU stay (T0)
Comparison of serum urea concentration between groups at day 14 after ICU day 5 (Time Zero). The outcome will assess whether patients with higher protein intake (>1.2 g/kg/day) show different urea values compared with those with standard intake (≤1.2 g/kg/day).
14 days from ICU stay (T0)
ICU length of stay
Periodo de tiempo: Within 30 days from ICU day 5 (Time Zero) or until ICU discharge, whichever occurs first.
Comparison of the duration of ICU stay between groups classified by protein intake on day 5 of ICU stay. Discharge will be considered the endpoint, with death treated as a competing event in the analysis.
Within 30 days from ICU day 5 (Time Zero) or until ICU discharge, whichever occurs first.
Mortality at 30 days
Periodo de tiempo: Within 30 days or until hospital discharge, whichever occurs first.
Proportion of patients who die within 30 days. The outcome will compare mortality rates between patients with higher protein intake (>1.2 g/kg/day) and those with standard intake (≤1.2 g/kg/day).
Within 30 days or until hospital discharge, whichever occurs first.

Colaboradores e Investigadores

Aquí es donde encontrará personas y organizaciones involucradas en este estudio.

Patrocinador

Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires

Investigadores

  • Director de estudio: Ivan Alfredo Huespe, MS, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires

Publicaciones y enlaces útiles

La persona responsable de ingresar información sobre el estudio proporciona voluntariamente estas publicaciones. Estos pueden ser sobre cualquier cosa relacionada con el estudio.

Publicaciones Generales

Fechas de registro del estudio

Estas fechas rastrean el progreso del registro del estudio y los envíos de resultados resumidos a ClinicalTrials.gov. Los registros del estudio y los resultados informados son revisados ​​por la Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina (NLM) para asegurarse de que cumplan con los estándares de control de calidad específicos antes de publicarlos en el sitio web público.

Fechas importantes del estudio

Inicio del estudio (Actual)

15 de septiembre de 2025

Finalización primaria (Estimado)

31 de agosto de 2026

Finalización del estudio (Estimado)

1 de diciembre de 2026

Fechas de registro del estudio

Enviado por primera vez

1 de junio de 2026

Primero enviado que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad

1 de junio de 2026

Publicado por primera vez (Actual)

5 de junio de 2026

Actualizaciones de registros de estudio

Última actualización publicada (Actual)

5 de junio de 2026

Última actualización enviada que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad

1 de junio de 2026

Última verificación

1 de junio de 2026

Más información

Términos relacionados con este estudio

Palabras clave

Términos MeSH relevantes adicionales

Otros números de identificación del estudio

  • 7355

Plan de datos de participantes individuales (IPD)

¿Planea compartir datos de participantes individuales (IPD)?

INDECISO

Descripción del plan IPD

The study team is currently evaluating the feasibility of sharing de-identified individual participant data, taking into account ethical approvals, data privacy regulations, and the resources required for proper anonymization and curation. A final plan will be determined after completion of data collection and primary analyses.

Información sobre medicamentos y dispositivos, documentos del estudio

Estudia un producto farmacéutico regulado por la FDA de EE. UU.

No

Estudia un producto de dispositivo regulado por la FDA de EE. UU.

No

Esta información se obtuvo directamente del sitio web clinicaltrials.gov sin cambios. Si tiene alguna solicitud para cambiar, eliminar o actualizar los detalles de su estudio, comuníquese con register@clinicaltrials.gov. Tan pronto como se implemente un cambio en clinicaltrials.gov, también se actualizará automáticamente en nuestro sitio web. .

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