Probability of Benefit vs. Statistical Significance, Re-evaluating Enteral Glutamine in Severe Burns Using a Dual Statistical Framework

Project Description This systematic review and meta-analysis re-evaluates the efficacy of enteral glutamine supplementation in severe burn patients, addressing the conflict between historical positive trials and the recent neutral RE-ENERGIZE trial. The study is unique in its application of a dual statistical framework: Frequentist Meta-Analysis: To provide standard effect estimates (Odds Ratios, Mean Differences) and test for statistical significance. Bayesian Meta-Analysis: To calculate the posterior probability of benefit, offering a probabilistic interpretation of the evidence that transcends binary p-value thresholds. Population: Adult patients with thermal burns requiring hospitalization. Intervention: Enteral glutamine supplementation. Comparison: Placebo or standard enteral nutrition. Outcomes: Mortality, overall infection, length of hospital stay (LOS), and duration of mechanical ventilation. By integrating these approaches, this research seeks to determine whether enteral glutamine retains clinical utility despite lacking statistical significance in frequentist models, thereby informing more nuanced clinical guidelines and decision-making.