Objective To investigate the protein intake of patients in the general surgery intensive care unit (ICU) and to analyze the factors, both hindering and facilitating, that affecting protein intake from the perspective of healthcare professionals. Methods A mixed-methods approach was used in this study, including a quantitative study and a qualitative study. The quantitative study was use to assess the protein intake in the ICU patients. The qualitative study was used to analyze the perspectives of healthcare professionals via semi-structured interviews. In the quantitative study, 32 variables were analyzed, and the sample size was estimated to be 10 times the number of study variables. The qualitative study employed the maximum difference sampling strategy, with the sample size determined by data saturation. The multiple linear regression was used to identify the risk factors affecting protein intake achievement, with a significance level of α=0.05. Results The quantitative study included 459 patients, with a protein intake of (0.739±0.552) g/(kg·d). Of the patients, 90 (19.6%) had a protein intake of 1.2–2.0 g/(kg·d), 11 (2.3%) had 2.0 g/(kg·d) or more, and 358 (78.0%) had less 1.2 g/(kg·d). The multiple linear regression analysis identified several risk factors influencing protein intake attainment, including male, higher body mass index, elevated blood glucose levels upon ICU admission, early initiation of enteral nutrition (≤48 h), nasoenteric tube placement, and the only use of enteral nutrition feedings. In the qualitative study, three key themes relevant protein intake attainment were identified from the interviews: inadequate infrastructure, healthcare workers’ factors, and patient-related factors. Conclusions The findings of this study suggest a substantial gap between the protein intake of general surgical ICU patients and the guideline-recommended intake. The study highlights patient groups at risk for inadequate protein intake based on identified risk factors. Future efforts should focus on improving the efficiency of protein supplementation, enhancing the nutritional status of patients, standardizing protein supplementation protocols, and increasing education for both healthcare workers and patients.

Citation： LI Jiaqi, YAO Honglin, YE Xianghong. Investigation of protein intake status and analysis of influencing factors in general surgery intensive care unit patients: A mixed-method study. CHINESE JOURNAL OF BASES AND CLINICS IN GENERAL SURGERY, 2025, 32(3): 347-353. doi: 10.7507/1007-9424.202408149 Copy

Copyright © the editorial department of CHINESE JOURNAL OF BASES AND CLINICS IN GENERAL SURGERY of West China Medical Publisher. All rights reserved