肠内和肠外联合阶段性营养对重症急性胰腺炎患者治疗效果的影响

目的观察肠内和肠外联合阶段性营养对重症急性胰腺炎患者治疗效果的影响。方法重症急性胰腺炎患者45例分为完全胃肠外营养组（TPN组，n=25）和肠内营养加肠外阶段性营养组（PN＋EN组，n=20）。观察两组治疗结果以及临床指标的变化。结果营养支持后PN＋EN组的APACHEⅡ评分和CT评分均显著低于TPN组（P〈0．01）。营养支持两周后两组患者的血糖、血清淀粉酶和血肌酐水平均较营养支持前显著下降（P〈0．01），血清白蛋白、总蛋白、血钙水平均较营养支持前显著升高（P〈0．01），但是两组的各项指标比较无显著性差异（P〉0．05）。PN＋EN组患者的感染并发症发生率显著低于TPN组（P〈0．01），平均住院天数也显著短于TPN组（P〈0．01）。结论肠内和肠外联合阶段性营养支持方式的疗效优于完全胃肠外营养，对重症急性胰腺炎的治疗起了积极作用。     

L-alanyl-L-glutamine-supplemented parenteral nutrition improves infectious morbidity in secondary peritonitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS: A growing number of randomized clinical trials suggest that glutamine (Gln) supplementation may be beneficial in a selected group of patients and conditions. However, the effects of Gln-enriched total parenteral nutrition (TPN) on recovery from acute intra-abdominal infection have not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether the provision of Gln-enriched TPN after surgical and medical treatment of secondary peritonitis improves infectious morbidity.METHODS: Thirty-three patients with secondary peritonitis were randomly assigned to receive either standard (n=16) TPN or L-alanyl-L-glutamine-supplemented (n=17) TPN, after medical and surgical treatment of the infectious focus. The two TPN formulae were isonitrogenous and isocaloric, which commenced the morning after surgery and ran continuously for 10 consecutive days. The control group received standard TPN, while the treatment group was given L-alanyl-L-glutamine, 0.40 g/kg/d (Dipeptiven, Fresenius Kabi, Bad Homburg, Germany). Infectious morbidity, nitrogen balance, leukocytes, lymphocytes, subpopulations CD(4) and CD(8), Immunoglobulin A (IgA), total proteins, albumin, hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stays, and mortality were evaluated. Statistical analysis included one-way ANOVA, the unpaired Student's t-test, the Mann-Whitney U-test, chi(2) test, or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Patients in both groups were comparable prior to the operation. Nitrogen balance and the levels of albumin and IgA were significantly better than those in the control group. Also, a significant reduction in the infectious morbidity was found in the Gln-treated group. Lymphocyte counts as well as subpopulations CD(4) and CD(8), and proteins showed a propensity to improvement and a tendency to reduced rates of mortality were observed when comparing the groups. Hospital and ICU stays were similar. CONCLUSION: L-alanyl-L-glutamine-supplemented TPN improved the infectious morbidity of patients with secondary peritonitis. Gln supplementation to parenteral nutrition may be an alternative for enhancing host defenses and improving infectious morbidity.     

急性胰腺炎的全肠外营养与生长抑素治疗

目的 :观察在禁食、胃肠减压和预防感染的基础上 ,加用生长抑素和全肠外营养对胰腺炎非手术治疗的影响。　方法 :将 1990年 1月至 1994年 12月底收治的急性胰腺炎 2 6例 ,归为A组。自 1995年以来收治的急性胰腺炎 2 8例 ,归为B组。两组胰腺炎的病因和严重程度无明显差别。B组病人采用全肠外营养支持和生长抑素治疗。　结果 :A组病人入院时血清白蛋白为 (30 .0± 1.2 ) g/L ,治疗 15天后 ,白蛋白仍在 (30 .4± 0 .8) g/L。B组病人于入院后即行全肠外营养支持 ,时间为 (17± 6 )天 ,施他宁使用时间为 (7± 2 )天。其血清白蛋白入院时为 (2 9.0±1.3)g/L ,治疗 15天后 ,白蛋白上升至 (35 .7± 0 .9) g/L ,明显高于入院时 (P <0 .0 1)。B组病人的病死率及住院日、中转手术率、淀粉酶的恢复天数较A组病人有明显改善 ,并发症发生率明显减少。　结论 :在急性胰腺炎非手术治疗原则的基础上 ,通过加用全肠外营养和生长抑素可最大程度地抑制胰腺的分泌 ,改善病人的营养状态 ,减少并发症的发生率与病死率 ,缩短住院时间。     

The Impact of Glutamine Dipeptide–Supplemented Parenteral Nutrition on Outcomes of Surgical Patients

Objective: To evaluate the impact of glutamine dipeptide–supplemented parenteral nutrition (GLN‐PN) on clinical outcomes in surgical patients. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trials Register were searched to retrieve the eligible studies. The studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effect of GLN‐PN and standard PN on clinical outcomes of surgical patients. Clinical outcomes of interest were postoperative morbidity of infectious complication, mortality, length of hospital stay, and cost. Statistical analysis was conducted by RevMan 4.2 software from the Cochrane Collaboration. Results: Fourteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (N = 587) were included in this meta‐analysis. The results showed that glutamine dipeptide significantly reduced the length of hospital stay by around 4 days in the form of alanyl‐glutamine (weighted mean difference [WMD] = ?3.84; 95% confidence interval [CI] ?5.40, ?2.28; z = 4.82; P < .001) and about 5 days in the form of glycyl‐glutamine (WMD = ?5.40; 95% CI ?8.46, ?2.33; z = 3.45; P < .001). The overall effect indicated a significant decrease in the infectious complication rates of surgical patients receiving GLN‐PN (risk ratio = 0.69; 95% CI 0.50, 0.95; z = 2.26; P = .02). Conclusion: GLN‐PN was beneficial to postoperative patients by shortening the length of hospital stay and reducing the morbidity of postoperative infectious complications.     

支链氨基酸对创伤后代谢影响的研究

目的:观察应用支链氨基酸对手术创伤病人机体代谢的影响. 方法:采用前瞻、随机、单盲、平行、对照、多中心试验设计,选择行腹部外科手术后成年病人120例,随机分为两组:对照组(n=60)应用10.4% 18种复方氨基酸注射液,研究组(n=60)应用10.3%支链氨基酸注射液.采用全营养混合液方式行周围或中心静脉输注,等氮等热量.从术后第2天开始,应用6天.在手术前1天和术后第7天,对所有病人收集空腹血标本检测,同时进行24 h尿液收集作氮平衡分析. 结果:研究组与对照组之间在研究前、后累积氮平衡无明显差异,但在营养液输注第5天,研究组氮平衡显著高于对照组(P<0.01).两组之间研究前、后血清总蛋白、前清蛋白、纤维连接蛋白、转铁蛋白和体重变化无显著差异.两组研究前、后血清清蛋白浓度均降低,但对照组下降更为明显(P<0.05).研究组应用氨基酸后,缬氨酸浓度升高明显,与对照组相比差异显著(P<0.05).缬氨酸、丙氨酸和支链氨基酸浓度较输注前明显升高(P<0.05). 结论:对手术创伤应激病人的肠外营养支持中,应用含较高支链氨基酸的营养液较平衡氨基酸注射液可能更为有效.     

危重症病人营养支持对免疫功能影响的临床研究

目的:探讨肠外 肠内营养(PN EN)与全肠外营养(TPN)支持,对危重症病人免疫功能的影响.方法:将40例危重症病人按就诊顺序分为两组,每组20例.试验组接受PN EN,对照组接受TPN,两组等氮、等热量供给.于治疗前、后检测血浆总蛋白、清蛋白、血红蛋白和转铁蛋白浓度,外周血IgA、IgG、IgM、淋巴细胞总数(TLC)及T细胞亚群CD3、CD4百分率和CD4/CD8比值.结果:试验组TLC和IgG与对照组相比,差异有显著性意义(P＜0.05);CD4和CD4/CD8比值也有升高(P＜0.05);其余指标无明显差异(P＞0.05).结论:PN EN较TPN更能改善危重症病人的免疫功能.     

肠内免疫微生态营养对重症急性胰腺炎全身炎性反应及预后的影响

目的 探讨肠内免疫微生态营养对重症急性胰腺炎(SAP)全身炎性反应及预后的影响.方法 57例SAP患者在人院48 h内采用随机数字表法被随机分为肠外营养组(PN组)28例和肠内免疫微生态营养组(EIN组)29例,分别进行相应的营养支持7d.入院时及营养后1、3、5、7 d分别检测外周血内毒素、TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6、IL-10及单核细胞NF-κB活性,并统计两组治疗结果.结果 入院时EIN组内毒素、TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6、IL-10及单核细胞NF-κB活性与PN组比较差异无统计学意义;营养后7 d,EIN组内毒素、TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6、IL-10及单核细胞NF-κB活性分别为(2.70±O.13)ng/L、(30.13 4±8.12)ng,L、(20.17±8.04)ng,L、(36.43±8.24)ng,L、(86.45 ±14.54)ng/L、(70.4±3.2)%,均较PN组的(3.25±0.32)ndL、(313.42±144.35)ng/L、(155.29±32.78)ng/L、(324.15±31.47)ng/L、(472.72±48.55)ng/L、(88.4±5.3)%明显下降(P<0.05或<0.01).结论 早期肠内免疫微生态营养能有效减轻内毒素血症,减低NF-κB活性及细胞因子浓度,维持促抗炎反应平衡,改善患者病情及预后.     

食管癌术后病人两种营养支持治疗的比较

目的:观察食管癌术后病人两种营养支持疗法的效果。方法:将80例食管癌术后病人随机分为肠外营养(PN)组和肠内营养(EN)组,所有病人在手术前1 d和术后第8天检测血红蛋白(Hb)、血清清蛋白(ALB)、前清蛋白(PA)、转铁蛋白(TF)、体质指数(BMI)以及肛门排气时间、住院时间和营养费用等指标。结果:两组病人术后血清ALB,住院时间、BMI、Hb比较无显著性差异(P>0.05)。EN组病人血清PA,TF明显高于PN组(P<0.05),术后肛门排气时间明显早于PN组(P<0.05),所用营养费用低于PN组。结论:两种营养支持治疗均可改善食管癌病人的营养状况,但EN与PN比,更具有符合生理、安全、价廉的优点。     

胃肠外营养对儿童恶性实体瘤免疫功能的影响

目的探讨胃肠外营养(PN)对儿童恶性实体瘤免疫功能的影响.方法对31例儿童中晚期实体瘤患者开始化疗后第二天随机分为PN支持组及对照组,分别测量两组化疗前后的体重,瘤体体积,血清白蛋白,前白蛋白,免疫球蛋白和T细胞亚群进行对照分析.结果 PN支持能显著增加血清前白蛋白水平(P＜0.05)及IgG,IgM,CD3,CD4的水平(P＜0.05).结论 PN支持能显著提高儿童恶性实体瘤患者的免疫功能,值得临床推广.     

肠内营养和肠外营养对全身炎性反应综合征患者炎性因子及免疫功能影响的比较

目的 比较肠内营养（EN）和肠外营养（PN）对全身炎性反应综合征（SIRS）患者炎性因子和免疫功能的影响.方法 以2006年4月至2010年4月在山西医科大学第一医院、山西省人民医院和太原市中心医院收治的85例SIRS患者为研究对象,根据营养支持方式分为EN组（n=49）和PN组（n=36）,比较两组患者营养支持前后炎性和免疫指标的变化情况.结果 全热量营养支持后第7、14天,两组患者的体重、上臂周径、三头肌皮褶厚度及血清总蛋白和白蛋白水平均明显高于支持前（P均＜0.05）;全热量营养支持后第14天,EN组患者的血清总蛋白和白蛋白水平明显高于PN组患者（P均＜0.05）.全热量营养支持后第7、14天,EN组患者的血清肿瘤坏死因子α、白细胞介素（IL）-8、IL-l β水平均明显低于支持前和PN组患者（P均＜0.05）;血CD4/CD8及IgG水平均明显高于支持前和PN组患者（P均＜0.05）.结论 PN和EN均可有效改善SIRS患者的营养状态.EN在改善患者营养状况、提高免疫功能和降低炎性介质释放方面的效果优于PN.     

颅脑手术后病人的早期营养支持

目的:探讨颅脑手术病人术后早期营养支持的方法. 方法:对39例颅脑手术病人随机分为对照组和观察组.对照组进行单一肠外营养支持;观察组从单一肠外营养逐渐过渡至肠外 肠内营养,最终完全肠内营养支持.比较两组氮平衡(NB)、血清清蛋白(ALB)、前清蛋白(PA)、转铁蛋白(TFN)、 IgA、IgG、IgM以及肝、肾功能、血糖(GLU)和并发症等指标. 结果:两组病人性别、年龄、疾病种类、格拉斯哥昏迷(GCS)评分比较差异均无显著性意义 (P＞0.05).两组病人均能很好地耐受早期营养支持,消化道出血、多器官功能障碍综合征(MODS)、病死率比较无显著性差异 (P＞0.05);但观察组有6例病人肠内营养早期出现轻度腹胀、腹泻.两组病人营养支持后NB、PA、TFN、IgA、IgG、IgM水平明显改善,而ALB、肝功能、肾功能、血糖水平无明显变化;观察组NB、PA、IgA、IgM较对照组明显改善(P＜0.05). 结论:颅脑手术后病人早期营养支持,并且逐步向肠内营养过渡,不仅可以改善病人全身代谢状况,减少负氮平衡,而且还能提高免疫功能.     

The clinical evaluation of plasma fibronectin as a marker for nutritional depletion and repletion and as a measure of nitrogen balance

Plasma fibronectin has been suggested as a possible marker for nutritional repletion or depletion. This study was undertaken to evaluate the usefulness of plasma fibronectin in patients who received intense nutritional support. Twenty-seven patients referred to our Nutritional Support Services were followed for 3 to 5 wk; 22 received parenteral hyperalimentation alone, two received enteral alone, and three received a combination of both. Plasma fibronectin, serum albumin, serum transferrin, total lymphocyte counts, and 24-hr urine nitrogen balance studies were performed weekly; anthropometric measurements were performed every other week. Plasma fibronectin concentration, measured by laser nephelometry, showed a significant rise (p less than 0.005) in all patients after 1 wk of nutritional therapy; however, there was no significant difference among the subsequent weeks. Plasma fibronectin did not correlate with nitrogen balance studies, serum albumin, or total lymphocyte counts. A correlation between serum transferrin and plasma fibronectin was found not to be clinically useful. Thus, plasma fibronectin is sensitive to nutritional repletion after 1 wk of therapy, but is not useful thereafter. The relationship among nutritional status, immunologic function, plasma fibronectin, and other serum proteins are discussed.     

Instant nutritional assessment

Instant nutritional assessment of the hospitalized patient is described based upon admission serum albumin levels and total lymphocyte counts. Abnormalities of these parameters are associated with markedly increased morbidity and mortality in a series of 500 consecutively admitted patient. It is suggested that instant nutritional assessment be performed on all hospitalized patients with appropriate alterations and therapy being made to allow for nutritional repletion.     

肠内或肠外营养对手术后病人的氮平衡、 肠通透性、血浆氨基酸及费用等的影响

目的观察肠内营养、肠外营养对手术后病人的的氮平衡、肠通透性、费用等影响。对象 和方法随机、对照、多中心临床研究。60例合乎计划要求的食道、胃、结肠道手术的患者为对象。按随机表进入研究组或对照组，两组为等氮等热卡营养摄入。研究计划经伦理委员会批准。所有病人均知情同意参加。结果(1)安全性两组均无严重不良事件，对照组有2例肝功损害，研究组无肝功损害（P=0.19）。(2)替代(Surrogateefficacy)有效性指标(Endpointmarkers)(1)氮平衡研究组累积氮平衡为(108±107)mg     

营养支持治疗在老年危重患者救治中的应用

目的探讨不同营养支持方式在老年危重患者救治中的作用。方法选择老年危重患者98例,根据不同营养支持方式分为肠外营养(PN)组30例,肠内营养(EN)组32例,PN+EN组36例。摄入同等总热量和同等氮量,营养支持治疗时间14 d。治疗0 d和连续营养支持治疗14 d后,检测血清白蛋白(Alb)、前白蛋白(PA)、血红蛋白(Hb)、淋巴细胞总数(TLC)、免疫球蛋白(IgA、IgG、IgM)值并进行回顾性对比分析。结果 3组患者Hb均较治疗前增高。EN+PN组患者Alb、PA较PN组及EN组治疗后增高。营养支持治疗后,3组患者TLC明显增高。EN组IgA、IgM,EN+PN组IgA、IgG、IgM均较PN组增高。PN+EN组并发症低于PN组及EN组。结论老年危重患者救治中应根据老年人特点及疾病不同情况合理选择营养支持方式,PN+EN联合应用更有利于改善老年危重患者营养状况及免疫功能,减少并发症发生,促进疾病的康复。     

肾移植术后重症肺部感染病人营养支持对免疫功能影响的研究

目的探讨肠外 肠内营养(PN EN)与全肠外营养(TPN)支持,对肾移植术后重症肺部感染病人免疫功能的影响。方法将2002-2006年30例危重症病人按随机分组原则分为两组,每组15例。试验组接受PN EN,对照组接受TPN,两组等氮、等热量供给。于治疗前、后检测血浆总蛋白、清蛋白、血红蛋白浓度,外周血IgA、IgG、IgM、淋巴细胞总数TLC、CD4/CD8比值。结果试验组TLC、CD4/CD8比值和IgG与对照组相比,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05)。结论PN EN较TPN更能改善肾移植术后重症肺部感染病人的免疫功能。     

肠内与肠外营养对住院患者营养状况影响的研究

目的:比较肠内营养(EN)与肠外营养(PN)对住院患者营养状况的影响。方法:回顾性调查并比较北京和上海6所综合性医院的胃肠外科、心胸外科、消化内科、呼吸内科、神经内科、神经外科和重症监护病房接受EN或PN的1142例住院患者在营养支持前后体重(BW)、血红蛋白(Hb)和血清白蛋白(sALB)的变化。结果:两组BW、Hb及sALB在营养支持后均显著降低,EN组BW和sALB的下降差值显著低于PN组(BW:-1.58±2.36kgvs-2.09±2.66kg,P<0.002;sALB:-2.10±4.13g/Lvs-3.03±4.04g/L,P<0.001),而Hb的变化没有显著性意义。EN组低体重指数(BMI)和低白蛋白血症的患病率在支持后较PN组显著地降低(低体重指数:11.63%vs17.90%,P<0.01;低白蛋白血症:20.51%vs26.24%,P<0.01)。贫血的患病率在EN或PN后均增高,两组间差异无显著性意义。结论:与PN比较,EN在减少体重丢失和减少血清白蛋白降低方面,以及在改善住院患者营养不良患病率方面疗效基本一致或稍好。     

Omega-3 fatty acids-supplemented parenteral nutrition decreases hyperinflammatory response and attenuates systemic disease sequelae in severe acute pancreatitis: a randomized and controlled study

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate whether altering the fatty acid (FA) profile by omega-3 FA supplementation affects inflammatory response and systemic disease sequelae in severe acute pancreatitis. METHODS: Forty severe acute pancreatitis patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive parenteral nutrition (PN) for 5 days in a double-blind manner. Patients received PN with identical amounts of amino acids (1.25 g/kg/d), glucose (3 g/kg/d), and fat (1 g/kg/d) but different lipid compositions: the control group received a soybean oil (SO; Lipovenos 20%; Fresenius, Germany)-based fat solution and the omega-3 FA group was supplemented with 0.15 - 0.2 g/kg/d fish oil (FO; Omegaven 10%; Fresenius, Germany). Serum concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), interleukin-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count, and routine respiratory and renal parameters were measured before PN, and again on day 6 after starting PN. Outcomes such as infection morbidity, mortality, intensive care unit time, and length of hospital stay were recorded. RESULTS: Patients treated with FO had a significantly higher EPA concentration (P < .01), lower CRP level (P < .05), and better oxygenation index (P < .05) after 5 days of PN. Moreover, the number of days of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in the omega-3 FAs group was significantly less than that in the control group (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: PN supplemented with omega-3 FAs diminishes the hyperinflammatory response by the EPA increase and the proinflammatory cytokine decrease in severe acute pancreatitis. This, together with improved respiratory function and shortened CRRT time, suggests that the systemic response to pancreatic and organ injury is attenuated.     

不同营养方式对呼吸科老年重症患者呼吸肌力及临床预后的影响

目的 比较不同营养方式对呼吸科老年重症患者呼吸肌力和临床结局的影响.方法 采用随机数字表法,将147例呼吸科老年重症患者按入院先后顺序随机分为肠内(EN)肠外(PN)混合营养组,EN组和PN组,每组49例,观察营养支持前后患者能量代谢指标和呼吸肌力的变化情况及短期结局.结果 营养支持后第7天,各组患者的血浆白蛋白(ALB)、血红蛋白(Hb)、肌酐(Cr)水平和氮平衡均较营养支持前明显升高(P均＜0.01),血尿素氮(BUN)水平较营养支持前明显下降(P＜0.01);混合营养组ALB、Hb、Cr和氮平衡升高幅度均明显高于EN组和PN组(P＜0.05或P＜0.01),BUN下降幅度明显高于EN组(P＜0.05).混合营养组(P=0.021)和EN组(P=0.011)的最大吸气压水平明显高于营养支持前,混合营养组的气道阻断压水平明显低于营养支持前(P=0.025).PN组患者感染性并发症及非感染性并发症发生率明显高于EN组 (P=0.002,P=0.017)和混合营养组(P=0.005,P=0.004),EN组患者的胃潴留发生率明显高于PN组(P=0.035).混合营养组患者的脱机时间、呼吸重症监护病房停留时间、住院时间与20 d死亡率均明显小于EN组和PN组(P均＜0.05).结论 EN与PN联用改善呼吸科老年重症患者营养状况和呼吸肌力的效果明显优于单用EN和PN,其短期临床结局也好于单用EN和PN.

Abstract：

Objective To compare the influences of different routes of nutrition on the outcome and respiratory muscle strength of elderly patients in respiratory intensive care unit (RICU). Methods Totally 147 elderly patients in RICU were equally randomized into combined nutrition group ( combinination of parenteral nutrition and enteral nutrition), total enteral nutrition (EN) group, and total parenteral nutrition (PN) group. The changes of energy metabolism, respiratory muscle strength, and short-term outcome were observed or determined.Results Plasma albumin (ALB), hemoglobin (Hb), creatinine (Cr) levels, and nitrogen balance significantly increased in all group 7 days later ( all P ＜ 0. 01 ), while blood urea nitrogen (BUN) significantly decreased ( P ＜0.01 ). The increase of ALB, Hb, Cr levels, and nitrogen balance were significantly more remarkable than that in EN group and PN group (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). The decrease of BUN level in the combined nutrition group was significantly more remarkable than that in EN group ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). After nutritional support, the maximum inspiratory pressure in the combined nutrition group (P =0. 021 ) and EN group (P = 0. 011 ) became significantly higher, and occlusion pressure at 0.1 second inspiration level in the combined nutrition group became significantly lower ( P =0. 025). The incidences of infectious and non-infectious complications in PN group were significantly higher than those in EN group (P = 0. 002 and 0. 017, respectively) and combined nutrition group ( P = 0. 005 and 0. 004, respectively). Gastric retention was more common in EN group than that in PN group ( P = 0. 035). The weaning time,length of RICU stay, length of hospital stay and 20-day-mortality were significantly decreased in the combined nutrition group than those in the other two groups ( all P ＜ 0. 05 ). Conclusion The effectiveness of the combined application of PN and EN is superior to PN or EN alone in improving nutritional status and respiratory muscle strength as well as in improving the short-term outcome in elderly patients in RICU..     

Serum albumin as indicator of clinical evolution in patients on parenteral nutrition. Multivariate study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of this study is to establish whether serum albumin concentration at the beginning of parenteral nutrition is related to morbidity and mortality. METHODS: In this cohort study spanning four years, a number of patients were classified into twelve groups, depending on their clinical status at the beginning of parenteral nutrition. Their serum albumin concentration and other clinical parameters were then measured and twelve multiple logistic regression models were thus generated in order to model the relationship between initial albumin concentration and risk of morbidity/mortality. RESULTS: 1953 (84%) of the 2321 patients studied were hypoalbuminemic. In six models, this condition was associated with a significant increase in the risk of nosocomial infection. However, no model could be associated to significant risk of renal failure, and only patients with previous hepatopathy were at risk for hepatic failure. In seven models, there was a significant increase in mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Serum albumin concentration at the beginning of parenteral nutrition is related to mortality and morbidity associated with nosocomial infection in some groups of the study.