SNACC Survey (symptoms and nutrition after critical care)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot study to explore the prevalence and severity of nutritional-related symptoms in ventilated critically ill adults following discharge from hospital
IRAS ID
226824
Contact name
Mary Hickson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Plymouth (PU PSMD/FHHS)
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
Many patients discharged from critical care experience physical weakness, as well as cognitive and psychological difficulties due to the after-effects of critical illness. These effects are often worst in those who received artificial help with breathing for more than a couple of days, or had a long critical care stay. These symptoms are well recognised with some hospitals offering rehabilitation and follow-up for patients at high risk of this post intensive care syndrome. However, such patient rehabilitation programmes often lack any nutritional elements despite some symptoms, like reduced appetite, bowel function and taste, being likely to affect eating and weight. It would be valuable to know how commonly patients suffer with symptoms that affect their diet intake or those symptoms that might be as a result of reduced nutrition. This study will therefore survey a self-selected sample of post intensive care patients who had been ventilated, recruited through participant identification sites nationally including hospitals and the charity ICU Steps. Participants volunteer to complete a questionnaire either online, by phone or by post. The aim is to ascertain the prevalence and severity of selected nutritional related symptoms once home, any nutritional support and/or advice they received, and their weight history. This will provide a clearer understanding of potential nutrition-related problems patients face and will therefore guide the development of appropriate services to support post critical care patients.
REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0470
Date of REC Opinion
2 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion