For the future, we should identify the best type
of fiber in enteral formulae for different conditions
(e.g. short-term and long-term use in ICU patients
and in non-ICU patients on long-term tube feeding
with different gastrointestinal diseases, cerebrovascular
dysphagia and diabetes). There is a clear
need for larger trials using fiber-containing enteral
formulae with clinical relevant primary endpoints;
both in short-term EN in acute patients and in longterm
conditions in chronically ill patients. Furthermore
a combination of different fibers, prebiotics
and probiotics should be studied because of
synergistic effects in different diseases