Effects of Oral Nutritional Supplements in Normally Nourished or Mildly Undernourished Geriatric Patients After Surgery for Hip Fracture: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Oral nutritional supplements have been recommended after orthopedic surgery in geriatric patients to reduce postoperative complications. However, tolerability of supplements could be a limitation, and their universal use is not supported by the heterogeneity of previous studies, especially in patients without malnutrition. Methods: This study is a randomized, controlled, open, parallel, 3-arm clinical trial comparing supplementation with protein powder dissolved in liquids to aim at 36 g of protein per day, energy and protein supplements to aim at 37.6 g of protein and 500 kcal per day, or no intervention in normally nourished or mildly undernourished patients. Outcomes were serum albumin, prealbumin, retinol-binding globulin, and body mass index, among others. Postoperative complications were also recorded. Results: Ninety patients aged 83.8± 6.6 years were included. The mean ingested amount of supplements was 41.1% ± 20.6% in the protein powder supplement group and 51.4% ± 13.2% in the energ...