Use of Prokinetic Agents in Adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Patients: An International Inception Cohort Study ( PATIENCE )
Authors' conclusion
Prokinetic agents were used in 13% of ICU patients, most commonly metoclopramide and more often in those with prior abdominal surgery. Prokinetic use was associated with a higher hazard of experiencing SAEs and fewer days alive out of hospital/ICU.
Study context
- Population
- Acutely admitted adult ICU patients in 56 ICUs across 11 countries, August 2024–March 2025
- Participants
- 1,440 participants · 56 ICUs · 11 countries
- Exposure
- Prokinetic agents vs no prokinetic agents
- Prokinetic agentsn = 187
- Outcome
- Proportion of patients receiving prokinetic agents
Methodological detailsinternational, multicentre
- International
- Multicentre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Prokinetic use during ICU stay
Prokinetic agents
13.0%
187
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
Prior abdominal surgery and initiation of prokinetic agents
| HR (95% CI) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prior abdominal surgery | 1.81 (1.17–2.79) | |
| 0.20.5125Hazard ratio (log scale) |
| Outcome | MD (days) (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Days alive out of ICUAdjusted linear regression | −7.6 (−13.4 to −2.2) | |
| Days alive out of hospitalAdjusted linear regression | −13.5 (−18.7 to −8.4) | |
| −20−10010Difference, days (linear scale) |
| Outcome | HR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| 90-day mortality | 0.62 (0.3–1.2) | |
| 0.20.5125Hazard ratio (log scale) |
Safety
| Outcome | HR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Serious adverse events (SAEs)Statistically significant | 1.9 (1.3–2.8) | |
| 0.20.5125Hazard ratio (log scale) |
- Serious adverse events (SAEs): pre-specified Cox regression, adjusted for country, severity of illness, comorbidities, surgery, ICU admission type
Original publication
Use of Prokinetic Agents in Adult ICU Patients: An International Inception Cohort Study ( PATIENCE ). Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. Published 24 June 2026. doi:10.
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