Publications

Abstract
Introduction
The acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI) score was proposed by the Working Group on Abdominal Problems of
the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) as a tool to define and grade gut dysfunction.
There have not been any studies in India to validate this tool. The objective of this preliminary study was
primarily to study the frequency of AGI in the first week of ICU stay in critically ill patients in our intensive
care unit (ICU). We also sought to determine the risk factors predisposing to the development of AGI and to
determine the prognostic implication of gastrointestinal (GI) injury in critically ill patients.
Materials and methods
A prospective, observational, preliminary, single-center study was conducted on critically ill patients
(APACHE II > 8) who were on enteral tube feeds and admitted to a mixed ICU of a tertiary care hospital.
Anthropometric data, admission diagnosis, APACHE II score, and comorbidities were recorded. Data of daily
heart rate, mean arterial pressure, dose of vasopressors, intra-abdominal pressure, fluid balance, feeding
intolerance, mechanical ventilation, and laboratory tests were noted for the first seven days of ICU stay or
till ICU discharge, whichever was earlier. The occurrence of AGI score (1-4) during the first seven days of
critical illness was the primary outcome of interest. Patient outcome at 28 days was recorded and the impact
of the occurrence of AGI on patient outcome was analyzed using the Chi-square test. The patient
characteristics associated with AGI were characterized as risk factors and analyzed using a multivariate