TARGET Protein

This dataset contains participant level data collected as part of the TARGET Protein Randomised Clinical Trial. TARGET Protein was a multicentre, cluster randomised, crossover, open label study conducted across eight intensive care units in Australia and New Zealand.
The trial compared two isocaloric enteral nutrition formulae -augmented protein (100 g protein/L) versus usual protein (63 g protein/L)-to evaluate whether higher protein delivery during critical illness influences clinical outcomes, including number of free of the index hospital and alive at day 90. Data include baseline demographics, ICU admission characteristics, nutrition delivery parameters, treatment assignment by cluster period, clinical outcomes, ventilation and renal replacement therapy data, biochemical measures, and adverse events. The dataset reflects intention to treat populations across all trial periods, comprising 3,397 enrolled participants (1,681 augmented protein; 1,716 usual protein).

Variables include:
• Patient demographics, comorbidities, APACHE II scores, frailty scores
• ICU admission reasons and diagnostic categories
• Treatment allocation by cluster and period
• Enteral nutrition dose, duration, protein and calorie delivery
• Mechanical ventilation use, vasopressor/inotrope use, renal replacement therapy
• Hospital and ICU length of stay, ventilation duration
• Biochemical markers (e.g., urea concentrations)
• Primary and secondary outcome measures (e.g., the number of days free of the index hospital and at day 90; survival to day 90)
• Adverse events and protocol deviations

JAMA.doi:10.1001/jama.2025.9110