Quality of Life and Nutrition Condition of Patients Improve Under Home Parenteral Nutrition: An Exploratory Study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Patients with end-stage cancer and advanced chronic bowel disease are often malnourished, which has a negative effect on patients' outcome, well-being, and activity. It is inconclusive whether these patients benefit from home parenteral nutrition. This prospective exploratory study investigates its influence on nutrition state, muscle strength, mobility, and quality of life.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Patients ≥18 years old with an indication for home parenteral nutrition were included and followed for 2-24 months. Nutrition parameters, activity, and quality of life were assessed.

RESULTS:

Forty-eight patients participated (mean age 11.5 years), and 85% were severely malnourished (subjective global assessment score, class C). Four weeks after parenteral nutrition, patients with tumors demonstrated a deterioration in phase angle (from 3.9 to 3.4) and extracellular mass:body cell mass ratio (from 1.6 to 2.1), while patients with bowel disease improved (from 3.4 to 4.0 and 2.1 to 1.6, respectively); grip strength remained constant in both groups (difference: 1.11 and -2.11, respectively). Activity improved in patients with bowel disease but stayed the same in the tumor group (P = .02 and P = .33, respectively). When the groups were pooled, emotional and social functioning domain scores (P < .03), dyspnea and sleeping (P < .04), and median quality of life improved (P = .02) 4 weeks after home parenteral nutrition.

CONCLUSION:

Both groups seem to benefit from home parenteral nutrition without harmful side effects. If the indication is determined early, the patients' disease course could perhaps be improved.

• Authors: Jutta Girke, Claudia Seipt, Andrea Markowski, Birgit Luettig, Anika Schettler, Michael Momma, Andrea S Schneider
• Journal: Nutrition in clinical practice : official publication of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (Nutr Clin Pract) Vol. 31 Issue 5 Pg. 659-65 (Oct 2016) ISSN: 1941-2452 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 27165116 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2016 American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Chronic Disease
• Female
• Humans
• Intestinal Diseases (complications)
• Male
• Malnutrition (complications, diet therapy)
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasms (complications)
• Nutritional Status
• Parenteral Nutrition, Home (methods)
• Prospective Studies
• Quality of Life
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult