Gut bugs in the ICU: could they predict who gets better?
NCT ID NCT04552834
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 14, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study follows 500 adults admitted to the intensive care unit to see how their gut bacteria (microbiome) change during critical illness. Researchers will track deaths and recovery up to one year later. The goal is to understand whether these bacterial shifts affect short- and long-term outcomes.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help doctors understand how gut bacteria affect recovery from critical illness, potentially leading to new ways to improve outcomes.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It will not directly test any therapy, and results may not lead to immediate changes in patient care.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Chicago Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois, 60637, United States
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