Which Outcomes Should We be Using in Critical Care Nutrition Trials?.

Abstract

Selecting appropriate outcome measures is a critical component of clinical trial design. Core outcome sets, which utilize stakeholder input to define the most important outcomes for a particular research question, are valuable in improving the consistency of research, such that conclusive recommendations can be made. Alongside these core outcomes, exploratory outcomes are keys to providing novel insights into disease pathophysiology and treatment response. Surrogate outcomes developed through exploratory methods may enable intervention at an earlier stage, with the potential for prevention rather than management of the sequalae of critical illness.