Should evidence generated in well developed countries inform critical care nutrition in all countries?

Abstract

Purpose of review: Critically ill patients who survive the ICU face issues such as reduced quality of life and increased disability and nutritional therapy during ICU stay may be used to reduce these adverse effects. Although evidence and guidelines are available to direct clinical nutrition for ICU patients, critical care practices and settings differ substantially between developed and developing countries.

Recent findings: The implementation of evidence generated in well developed countries regarding critical care nutrition depends heavily on factors such as operation model, the structure of the unit, different care processes, hospital size and country income.

Summary: Guidelines and evidence generated by various societies, agencies and trials, which are focused towards developed world may not be fully appropriate and executable in the developing world. Also, the developing world is heterogenous. Hence, 'one size fits all' approach may not be appropriate. A holistic approach to guideline and evidence generation and its appropriate utilization in the developing world is binding on caregivers in both the developing and developed world so as to benefit the critically ill patient.