Daily protein intake and patient outcomes in severe acute kidney injury: findings of the randomized evaluation of normal versus augmented level of replacement therapy (RENAL) trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS We aimed to examine the association between daily protein intake (DPI) and outcomes in patients from the Randomized Evaluation of Normal versus Augmented Level (RENAL) trial. METHODS We analyzed the association between DPI and clinical outcomes using multivariable logistic regression, Cox proportional hazards models and time-adjusted analysis. RESULTS During ICU stay, mean DPI was 37.6 g/day among survivors and 37.7 g/day among nonsurvivors (p = 0.96; DPI of 0.5 g/kg/day). Only 159 (10.9%) of the patients received a mean DPI of >1 g/kg. Patients with a DPI above the median had a 43.1% mortality compared with 46.1% for a DPI below the median (p = 0.25). On multivariate analysis, a lower DPI was not associated with increased odds ratios for 90-day mortality or any secondary outcomes. Cox proportional hazards models and time-adjusted analysis confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS In the RENAL study, mean DPI was low. Within the confines of such low DPI, greater amounts of DPI were not independently associated with improved clinical outcomes. Video Journal Club "Cappuccino with Claudio Ronco" at www.karger.com/?doi=363175.