Critical Care

ESPRIT study: Improved glucose profile in patients with type 2 diabetes with a new, high-protein, diabetes-specific tube feed during 4 hours of continuous feeding

Study Title

Improved glucose profile in patients with type 2 diabetes with a new, high-protein, diabetes-specific tube feed during 4 hours of continuous feeding. JPEN, 2016;41(6).

Official registration: http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=4163

Study Objective

To determine the plasma glucose profile of a disease-specific tube feed compared to an isocaloric standard tube feed (control) in type 2 diabetes patients.

Background

Hyperglycemia frequently occurs in hospitalised patients receiving nutrition support. In this study, the effects of a new diabetes-specific formula (DSF) on glucose profile during 4 hours of continuous feeding and 4 hours after stopping feeding were compared with a standard formula (SF).

Methodology
The ESPRIT study was a randomised, controlled, double-blind, crossover study involving 24 ambulant, non-hospitalised patients with type 2 diabetes (males >18 years and post-menopausal females).

Subjects received the DSF or an isocaloric, fibre-containing SF via a nasogastric tube. After overnight fasting, the formula was continuously administered to the patients during 4 hours.
Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were determined during the 4-hour period and in the subsequent 4 hours during which no formula was provided.

Country:
The Netherlands.

Conclusion

Administration of a new, high-protein DSF during 4 hours of continuous feeding resulted in lower glucose and insulin levels compared with a fibre-containing SF in ambulant, non-hospitalised patients with type 2 diabetes. These data suggest that a DSF may contribute to lower glucose levels in these patients.

Please read the full publication here.