Publication:

An observational study on the efficacy and safety of Enzotein plus in post-surgical recovery in critically ill patients by improving nutritional indices

Background Critically ill patients, especially those requiring mechanical ventilation and suffering from sepsis or multiorgan dysfunction, are at increased risk of malnutrition, muscle wasting, and prolonged recovery. Protein supplementation is essential, but enteral feeding via Ryle’s or jejunal tubes may impair proteolytic enzyme activity, limiting protein absorption. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate Enzotein plus, a formulation containing whey protein, proteolytic enzymes, and essential micronutrients for its clinical and biochemical benefits in such patients.

Methods This observational study involved 100 post-surgical critically ill patients conducted at Department of General Surgery, Goa Medical College, Bambolim, Tiswadi, Goa from March-2022 to October 2022. Patients received Enzotein Plus (one sachet containing 68 g/dose) for 14 days via oral or RT/JT administration. Primary outcomes included serum albumin, haemoglobin, packed cell volume (PCV), body weight, and cumulative organ failure-free days. Secondary outcomes included ICU stay, mortality, infection rate, pressure sores, and diarrhoea severity. Statistical analysis used SPSS v21, employing repeated measures ANOVA, Tukey’s post hoc, and chi-square tests (p<0.05).

Results Significant improvements were observed in serum albumin (p<0.001), haemoglobin (p=0.022), PCV (p<0.001), and body weight (p<0.05). Wound healing increased from 50% to 97% over 14 days. Pressure sores and diarrhoea incidence decreased. Mortality was 2%, infection rate 24%, and mean ICU stay 4.6±8.1 days. Organ failure-free days averaged 8.9±9.2.

Conclusions Enzotein Plus demonstrated significant clinical and nutritional benefits with a favourable safety profile. Its use may enhance recovery in critically ill, post-surgical patients. Larger randomized controlled trials are recommended for validation.