Understanding muscle wasting in ICU patients

Skeletal Muscle Wasting in ICU Patients

Observational Hasselt University · NCT06234826

This study looks at how muscle loss happens in critically ill patients in the ICU to see if a special water can help understand and improve their recovery.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 90 Years
SexAll
SponsorHasselt University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Hasselt, Limburg)
Trial IDNCT06234826 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study focuses on the rapid muscle wasting that occurs in critically ill patients, which negatively affects their recovery and long-term outcomes. It aims to investigate altered protein metabolism and muscle protein synthesis (MPS) rates during critical illness using oral deuterated water (2H2O) dosing. This method allows for the assessment of MPS over extended periods, providing insights that could inform future interventions to mitigate muscle loss in ICU settings. The study will involve patients who are expected to stay in the ICU for more than seven days and have specific medical conditions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults over 18 years old who are admitted to the ICU and expected to stay for more than seven days.

Not a fit: Patients with spinal cord injuries, chronic corticosteroid use, or significant organ failure may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved strategies for preventing muscle wasting in critically ill patients, enhancing their recovery and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While few studies have explored muscle protein synthesis in ICU patients, this approach using oral deuterated water is relatively novel and has not been widely tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* age \>18y
* admitted to ICU
* enteral nutrition line in situ
* arterial line (any location) in situ
* expected stay ICU \>7d

Exclusion Criteria:

* spinal cord injury
* chronic use of corticosteroids before hospital admission
* Contraindication to enteral infusion (e.g. due to GI-tract perforation)
* Kidney or liver failure
* therapeutic anti coagulation

Where this trial is running

Hasselt, Limburg

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Critical IllnessMuscle Atrophy
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.