Urine test may spot hidden malnutrition in ICU patients

NCT ID NCT02911246

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looked at whether the ratio of urea to creatinine in urine can help identify malnutrition in intensive care patients with brain injury. Malnutrition is common in the ICU and raises the risk of infections. Researchers measured this ratio in 309 adults and tracked six types of infections during their stay. The goal was to see if this simple, non-invasive test could guide better nutrition care.

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 give doctors a simple urine test to identify malnutrition early in ICU patients, helping to prevent infections.

What could go wrong

This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. The test may not reliably predict infections, and results may not apply to all ICU patients.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for MALNUTRITION are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

brain injury Malnutrition nutritional deficiency disease

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • CHU de Nantes

    Nantes, 44093, France