Comparative efficacy of probiotic mixture Bifidobacterium longum KABP042 plus Pediococcus pentosaceus KABP041 vs. Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM17938 in the management of infant colic: a randomized clinical trial.

We aimed to compare the efficacy of Bifidobacterium longum KABP042 + Pediococcus pentosaceus KABP041 (BL + PP) vs. Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM17938 (LR) in alleviating the symptoms of infant colic, as commercially available formulations. A randomized, multicenter, parallel, single-blind (investigator) trial was conducted in 112 colicky infants diagnosed as per Rome IV criteria and randomly allocated to receive BL + PP orally (109 colony-forming units [CFU]/day, n = 55) or LR (108 CFU/day, n = 57) for 21 days. Primary study outcomes were percentage of responders (≥ 50% reduction in crying and fussing time from baseline, as reported by parents in a structured diary) and daily crying and fussing time (minutes/day) on days 7, 14, and 21 after randomization. Study groups were comparable at baseline. Responder rate was significantly higher in BP + PP group vs. LR group at days 7 (61.1% vs. 37.5%, p = 0.013) and 14 (84.6% vs. 59.3%, p = 0.004). Crying and fussing time (median [IQR]) became significantly lower in BL + PP group vs. LR group on day 7 (119 [60-210] vs. 180 [110-270]; p = 0.028), day 14 (60.0 [30-105] vs. 120 [60-180]; p = 0.017), and day 21 (29 [0-85] vs. 67 [30-165]; p = 0.011). No significant differences were found in the number of adverse events between the groups. CONCLUSION: The specific formulation of B. longum KABP042 and P. pentosaceus KABP041 achieved a higher response rate and a larger reduction in crying and fussing time in colicky infants. Both probiotic interventions were well tolerated. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was retrospectively registered as NCT05271747 on February 28th, 2022. WHAT IS KNOWN: • L. reuteri DSM17938 (LR) is the most researched probiotic strain for infant colic against placebo in randomized, controlled clinical trials, and is recommended in various guidelines. A novel probiotic combining strains B. longum KABP042 and P. pentosaceus KABP041 (BL + PP) has also demonstrated efficacy in infant colic against placebo. WHAT IS NEW: • This randomized study provides the first direct comparison of two probiotics for infant colic. BL + PP seems to be superior to LR in reducing crying time.

Awareness and Self-Reported Knowledge and Training on Nutrition in Older People among Primary Care Practitioners.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the awareness and training of primary care physicians on nutrition in older patients. DESIGN: Observational, real-world data survey. SETTING: Primary Care. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred sixty-two physicians, generalists and specialists, working in primary care. MEASUREMENTS: Participants received an online questionnaire with 18 questions concerning the importance of nutrition, degree of knowledge, needs, and training in nutrition. The results were evaluated using univariate descriptive analysis, with a percentage for each chosen answer. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate if answers were related to training in nutrition and professional experience. RESULTS: 43.2% of participants reported that nutrition is very important in individuals over 65 years old, and 90% were aware of the importance of nutrition in healthy aging. Nutritional problems affect 30 to 50% of patients, according to 44.7% of participants. 89.2% agree about the need for nutritional assessment in older patients; however, the professionals believe they should be better prepared. Two out of three respondents consider the training received in nutrition during their undergraduate course or continuing medical education as deficient. Time of professional practice was mainly associated with conceptual facts, while continuing medical education did with practical issues, mainly the use of screening and diagnostic tools [FRAIL (OR: 3.16; 95%IC: 1.55-6.46), MNA-SF (OR: 6.455; 95%IC: 2.980-13.981) and SARC-F (OR: 3.063; 95%IC: 1.284-7.309)]. CONCLUSION: Although primary care professionals are aware of the importance of nutrition in older patients, there are still gaps in daily practice that could be improved by developing educational strategies.

[Is older age a limit factor when considering health resources? The case of home parenteral nutrition]. / ¿Es la edad un factor limitante en la distribución de recursos?: Nutrición parenteral domiciliaria en el paciente anciano.

UNLABELLED: Some bioethicists consider older age as a limiting factor for receiving special medical care. Older adults comprise the majority of home enteral nutrition patients (neoplams of the head, neck, and upper gastrointestinal tract neuromuscular swallowing disorders, dementia, etc) On the contrary, there are very few data on Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) in the elderly. We report these of a 75 years old man affected from a severe short bowel syndrome due to mesenteric thrombosis. After a hospital stay of two months he was sent home on HPN. His current caregiver was her wife, a 72 year old woman suffering from incipient Parkinson's disease. HPN lasted for 11 years and was stopped because of clinical deterioration. During this time he presented 5 catheter- related infections (1.3 episodes/1,000 days). 5 catheters were used (average length 788 days). He was hospitalized four times because of HPN complications. Functional status was maintained along almost all the length of HPN. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of complications in this patient was similar to other groups of age receiving HPN. The technique was not burdensome for the family. Older age cannot be consider, by itself a limiting factor when receiving long term nutritional support.

[Parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease]. / Complicaciones hepáticas asociadas al uso de nutrición parenteral.

Parenteral nutrition associated liver disease (PNALD) is an important problem in patients who require longterm parenteral nutrition as well as in preterm infants. Prevalence varies according to different series. Clinical presentation is different in adults and infants. Although since its first descriptions several hypothesis have been elucidated, the aetiology is not quite clear. It is possible that different factors could be involved. PNALD risk factors can be classified in three groups: 1) those derived from the lack of enteral nutrition stimulus; 2) parenteral nutrition components acting as toxic or the lack of specific nutrients and 3) those due to the underlying disease. If PNALD appears in short-term PN and it presents only as a mild elevation of liver enzymes, there is no need to treat. On the contrary, when direct bilirubin is > 2 mg/dL and lasts longer, there is a need to consider different causes and to minimize risk factors. We review the different approaches to manage PNALD, including optimizing enteral nutrition, modify parenteral solutions, use of specific nutrients -taurine, choline, etc.- or the use of drugs (mainly ursodeoxicolic acid). If liver disease progresses to cirrhosis a liver transplant must be considered.

[Probiotics in infant formulae. Could we modify the immune response?]. / Prebióticos en las fórmulas para lactantes. Podemos modificar la respuesta inmune?

INTRODUCTION: The intestinal microflora of breast-fed infants is an important physiological factor in gut function and the development of the immune system. Human milk oligosaccharides have been shown to selectively stimulate the growth of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli in the intestine. In the last few years several attempts have been made to establish the presence of similar microbiota in formula-fed infants. One of the approaches to modify the balance of intestinal microflora is to supply the potentially helpful microbiota with selective nutrients (prebiotics). GOAL: To review the current scientific evidence related to the addition of prebiotics to infant feeds and their possible role in the immune function. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A bibliographic search with Mesh terms: Prebiotics OR oligosaccharides OR intestinal microflora AND infant formula AND results was performed. Special analysis was done on clinical studies. RESULTS: Prebiotics are substances that are not absorbed through the small intestine and are fermented by colonic bacteria. A prebiotic mixture from galacto-oligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides has been used to mimic the effect of human milk oligosaccharides. It has been demonstrated that such a mixture significantly increases the number of bifidobacteria in a dose-related way (maximum effect at 0.8 g/dl) and reduces the number of pathogens in term as well as in preterm infants when compared with a group of infants fed a non-supplemented formula. The effect of oligosaccharides on bacterial metabolism was studied by measuring short chain fatty acid production and fecal pH. More recent studies have been able to show clinical benefits with the use of a prebiotic mixture in infant formulas. Firstly, it has been shown to decrease the risk of developing atopic dermatitis in high risk infants; secondly a reduced incidence of intestinal as well as upper airway infections in the first year of life. It can be hypothesized that prebiotics might play an important role as a new concept in allergy and infection prevention in infants.

Peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis in a patient with a history of Hirschsprung's disease. The role of home parenteral nutrition.

A case of peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis in a patient who suffered a Hirschsprung disease 30 year before is presented. TH present condition caused an irreversible intestinal obstruction and the patients received home parenteral nutrition without unremarkable complications longer than two years.

[Surveillance on fundamental principles in home artificial nutrition]. / Encuesta sobre aspectos eticos en nutrición artificial domiciliaria.

UNLABELLED: Artificial nutrition has been seen by clinicians as a medical treatment that patients or their surrogates may accept or refuse on the basis of the same considerations that guide other treatment decisions. However, public disagreement has arisen in the last times in relationship with some cases on the media. METHODS: In order to know the position of the members of the Nutrition Support teams in Spain a questionnaire based on two clinical scenarios was developed. A sample was sent by E-mail to all the members of the National Society. Data are presented as percentage. Comparison between groups was done by Chi square. RESULTS: 62 surveys were analyzed (65% physicians, 18% pharmacists; 12% nurses; 5% dietitians). 42% were 45 to 55 years old. Although a majority were working in clinical nutrition > 10 years, they considered themselves with insufficient bioethical background. In the case of Home Parenteral Nutrition--HPN-(45 yo lady with intractable ovarian cancer and intestinal obstruction), 77% agreed on HPN if the patient clinical condition was stable and she had strong family support. 75% answered that the main goal was to keep her at home as longer as possible. 92% considered that a mayor complication or a decrease in functions would contraindicate its use. 91% would review the decision periodically. In the case of Home Enteral Nutrition--HEN--(an old lady with progressive cognitive impairment needing a tube for feedings) 98% would indicate a gastrostomy tube. 77% considered HEN as a basic care, but if the patient had needed mechanical restriction only 41% would pursue in the decision. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the health care workers in the Nutrition Support teams considered that the decision on starting artificial nutrition should be done in an individualized basis, and need a periodical re-evaluation. HEN was mostly considered as a basic care. There were no significant differences if answers were analyzed by profession, gender, working experience or personal value.

Trends in adult home parenteral nutrition in Spain. 1992-2003.

UNLABELLED: There are very few data on trends in prevalence in home parenteral nutrition (HPN) in different countries. NADYA is the committee of the Spanish Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition that takes care of the Spanish registry since 1992. METHOD: A 12-year retrospective study of the activity of the registry was performed. The data were extracted from the NADYA's database as well as from the publications and abstracts reported on a yearly basis since 1992. Data on years 1993 and 1997-9 were not available. RESULTS: Yearly prevalence has more than doubled to 86 patients since 1992. The number of reporting centres went up to 17 in 2003 (10 centres in 1992) As an average, the number of patients per centre is 5. The prevalence in 2003 was 2.15 patients per million inhabitants. There are trends to increasing age at the time of the first indication (42 years in 1992; 51 in 2003). Ischemic and thrombotic vascular diseases were the most common underlying diagnosis in adults. Tunnelled central venous catheters were chosen in 2/3 of the patients. Only around 17% of the patients received support from home delivery companies (11% in 1992) There were more than 1 complication per patient and year, mostly HPN-related. CONCLUSIONS: We found a steadily increase in the number of reported patients and reporting centres over time. Prevalence went up to 2.15 patients per million inhabitants in 2003, still far behind the figures from other western countries. The NADYA registry allows a close follow-up of the evolution of HPN in Spain.

[Should hydration and artificial nutrition be accepted as a palliative care?]. / Se considera la hidratación y la nutrición artificial como un cuidado paliativo?

BACKGROUND: Ethical considerations are becoming more and more common in clinical practice. There is no unanimous agreement on which measures should be deemed as basic care, specially regarding hydration and artificial nutrition. AIM: To know the opinion of lay people and health professionals, stratified according to their university degree, about which palliative measures, including hydration and artificial nutrition, should be judged as palliative care. METHODS: A descriptive transversal study has been designed to know the opinion of 256 subjects: 91 users of the National Health System (NHS), 80 nurses, 47 pharmacists and 38 physicians. A questionnaire examined which of the following measures should be considered as palliative care: hygiene, analgesia, pressure ulcer care, position change, sedation, oxygen administration, urinary catheter, hydration, enteral and parenteral nutrition. RESULTS: More than 50% of the participants think that all the proposed measures can be considered as a palliative care, except parenteral nutrition. There is unanimous agreement to accept analgesia, pressure ulcer care, position change and enteraL nutrition as basic care, but there is disagreement in relation to hygiene (p = 0.000), sedation (p = 0.005), oxygen administration (p = 0.007), urinary catheter (p = 0.011) and parenteral nutrition (p = 0.000). There were not differences of opinion after adjusting for age, sex, religious beliefs, and length of professional experience among the individuals that answered the questionnaire. CONCLUSION: There is no agreement on which measures should be considered as palliative care. Opinions differ regarding hygiene, sedation, oxygen administration, urinary catheterisation and parenteral nutrition. In comparison to enteral nutrition, many responders believe that parenteral nutrition is a therapeutic option. The opinions shown in this questionnaire were independent from the demographic characteristics of the subjects that answered it.

[Growth in infants with cow's milk allergy]. / Cómo crecen los lactantes diagnosticados de alergia a proteínas de leche de vaca?

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 2-3 % of infants develop cow's milk allergy (CMA). Treatment consists of eliminating milk from the diet. Some studies have shown growth failure in children with CMA and a milk-free diet. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate growth status at 1 and 2 years of age in infants diagnosed with CMA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational, longitudinal, retrospective study of all infants diagnosed with CMA from 2000-2001 was performed. The following data were analyzed: chronology and type of feeding, the presence of allergy to other foods, atopic dermatitis or other symptoms of allergy, duration of CMA, and anthropometric data (weight and height) at diagnosis, and at 1 and 2 years of age. Anthropometric data were expressed as Z-scores. RESULTS: A total of 141 infants (71 boys and 70 girls) were studied. Atopic dermatitis was found in 67 infants (47.5%) and wheezing in 36 (25.5%). Allergy to foods other than milk was found in 27%. Only 21.3% of the infants grew out of CMA at the age of 2 years, of which 37% did so in the first year of life. Z-scores for weight were -0.5 at birth, -0.25 at the first follow-up visit, -0.25 at 1 year, and -0.19 at 2 years. Z-scores for height were 10.26 at the first follow-up visit, 10.64 at 1 year, and 10.35 at 2 years. A significant difference in Z scores for weight was found in infants with allergies to other foods, atopic dermatitis or wheezing compared with those with CMA only. CONCLUSIONS: Infants with CMA receiving a substitute formula (hydrolyzed or soy formulae) showed normal weight and height at 2 years, although the percentile for height tended to be better than that for weight. The presence of other food allergies, atopic dermatitis or wheezing seems to affect the nutritional status of infants with CMA.

[Childhood obesity. Recommendations of the Nutrition Committee of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics. Part I. Prevention. Early detection. Role of the pediatrician]. / Obesidad Infantil. Recomendaciones del Comité de Nutrición de la Asociación Española de Pediatría. Parte I. Prevención. Detección precoz. Papel del pediatra.

Obesity is a pathologic entity characterized by an increase in fat body mass and is a global public health problem. In Spain, between 1984 (the Paidos study) and 2000 (the enKid study), the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity increased and significant differences were found among the autonomous communities. Consequently prophylactic measures were implemented throughout the country and in 2005 the Ministry of Health developed the NAOS strategy (strategy for nutrition, physical activity and obesity prevention). Within the medical area of this intervention, primary care pediatricians acquire a key role. Aware of this, the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, through the Nutrition Committee, aims to provide information on the current situation concerning the etiopathogenesis and early identification of at-risk populations. The epidemiology and risk periods in the pediatric age group are reviewed and recommendations on healthy lifestyle are provided, bearing in mind diet and physical activity throughout childhood, with the aim of preventing overweight and obesity.

[Home enteral nutrition in Spain. Results of the register of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition in 2003]. / Nutrición enteral domiciliaria en España. Resultados del registro de la Sociedad Española de Gastroenterología, Hepatología y Nutrición Pediátrica del año 2003.

INTRODUCTION: The number of children receiving prolonged home enteral nutrition (HEN) is increasing. However, precise information on the incidence and prevalence of HEN in Spain is lacking. Consequently, the Spanish Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition created a patients' register (NEPAD). The aim of the present study was to analyze the results of the first year of the NEPAD register (2003). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The NEPAD is an on-line register that gathers information on the indications for HEN, route of access, type of diet and duration of nutritional support. Quantitative data are expressed as mean and standard deviation, and qualitative data as percentages. RESULTS: In 2003, 124 children from 6 hospitals were registered. The mean age at the beginning of HEN was 3.6 years. The underlying disease was gastrointestinal in 20%, neurological or mental retardation in 20%, cystic fibrosis in 14.5%, tumor in 11%, innate error of metabolism in 10%, congenital cardiac disease in 6%, severe primary malnutrition in 6%, and other causes in 13%. A nasogastric tube was used as the first route of access in 56%, and gastrostomy was used in 42%. Sixty percent of the children received continuous nocturnal enteral nutrition and 90% used an infusion pump. The type of feeding consisted of blenderized natural food in 14%, polymeric pediatric formula in 50%, and infant formulae in 18%. On December 31st, 84 children continued to receive enteral nutrition (68%). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the efforts made to maintain the on-line national register, it has been underused in its first year of existence (2003). Patients with gastrointestinal or neurological diseases constitute the main group of patients in the register. There is a slight preference for the use of nasogastric tube over gastrostomy.

Current use of parenteral nutrition in a pediatric hospital. Comparison to the practise 8 years ago.

UNLABELLED: Parenteral nutrition (PN) has become a mainstay in the treatment of critically ill children, and in the management of extremely premature newborns. We analyse the changes in the profile of pediatric PN in our institution during the last decade. METHOD: The clinical record of all patients under 16 who received PN in 1994 and 2002 were reviewed. Epidemiological data as well as composition of the solutions were recorded. Student t test and Chi-square were used for comparisons as appropriate. p value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: 194 patients received PN in 1994 (123 neonates and 71 children); 186 in 2002 (112 neonates and 74 children). The percentage of inpatients who received PN was 10.7% in 1994 vs 3.7% in 2002 in neonates; 1% in 1994 vs 1.3% in 2002, in infants and children. Gastrointestinal surgery in infants and children and extreme prematurity in newborns were the most frequent indication. All neonates received tailored PN solutions while it was standardised in almost 60% of children. Internal jugular vein in children and peripherally inserted central venous catheters in neonates were the most usual vascular access. Length of PN was 10 +/- 8.7 days in 1994 vs 9.2 +/- 8.2 in 2002 in neonates; 15.2 +/- 14.8 days in 1994 vs 11.0 +/- 14.9 in 2002 in infants and children. 21% of the children presented at least one complication due to PN. CONCLUSIONS: There have been very few changes in the use as well as in the profile of the PN practise during the last decade. Gastrointestinal surgery and prematurity were the most frequent indications.

AGREEMENT BETWEEN DIFFERENT EQUATIONS TO ESTIMATE OSMOLARITY OF PARENTERAL NUTRITION SOLUTIONS.

BACKGROUND: our aim was to measure the osmolality of several PN formulas at different component concentrations to determine if equations described in literature to calculate osmolarity accurately predict osmolalality in other experimental conditions different than these used to develop them. METHODS: osmolality of 12 different types of PN solutions, 9 for central and 3 for peripheral perfusion were measured by using freezing point depression in cross-sectional study. We evaluated the agreement (Pearson correlation test) and differential bias between measured osmolality and calculated osmolarity for three different equations described in the literature: Pereira Da Silva, ASPEN Practice Manual and ASPEN guidelines. RESULTS: mean ± SD osmolality of PN solutions was 1789 ± 256 (range 1 540 - 2 372) and 751 ± 64 mOsm/kg (range 689 - 817) for central and peripheral infusion, respectively. The osmolality of PN formulations was mainly due to glucose (r = 0.975) and amino acids (r = 0.948). All studied equations had a good correlation in the bivariate analysis (p = 0.000). All equations had a trend to underestimate the osmolality compared with the measured value. However, ASPEN guidelines equation overestimated the osmolality for peripheral PN. CONCLUSIONS: measurement of osmolality of peripheral PN solutions is important to reduce the risk of phlebitis. The different equations described previously show a good correlation between them although in general underestimate the osmolality.

Objetivo: nuestro objetivo era medir la osmolaridad de varias fórmulas de nutrición parenteral (NP) compuestas por diferentes componentes para determinar si las ecuaciones para calcular la osmolaridad de la solución, descritas en la literatura, predicen su osmolalidad en la práctica clínica. Método: se midió mediante osmometría la osmolalidad de 12 fórmulas de NP diferentes: 9 para acceso venoso central y 3 para acceso periférico, en un estudio transversal. Se analizó el acuerdo (test de correlación de Pearson) y las diferencias entre la osmolalidad medida y la osmolaridad calculada mediante tres fórmulas diferentes: ecuación de Pereira Da Silva, ecuación del manual de práctica clínica de ASPEN y ecuación de las guías de ASPEN. Resultados: la media ± desviación estándar de las soluciones era 1.789 ± 256 (rango 1.540 ­ 2.372) y 751 ± 64 mOsm/kg (rango 689 ­ 817) para perfusión central y periférica, respectivamente. La osmolalidad era debida principalmente a la glucosa (r = 0,975) y a los aminoacidos (r = 0,948). Todas las ecuaciones presentaban una buena correlación en el análisis bivariante (p = 0,000). Todas las ecuaciones tendían a infraestimar la osmolalidad, en comparación con el valor medido. Sin embargo, la ecuación de las guías de la ASPEN sobreestimaba la osmolalidad de las NP periféricas. Conclusiones: conocer la osmolaridad de la solución de NP periférica es importante para reducir el riesgo de flebitis. Las diferentes ecuaciones descritas en la literatura muestran una buena correlación entre ellas, aunque en general infraestiman la osmolalidad.

[The introduction of gluten into the infant diet. Expert group recommendations]. / La introducción del gluten en la dieta del lactante. Recomendaciones de un grupo de expertos.

At present there is a degree of uncertainty regarding when, how and in what form gluten should be introduced into the infant diet. For years the recommendations of the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition have prevailed, which include avoiding early introduction, before 4 months, and late, after 7 months, and gradually introducing gluten into the diet while the infant is being breastfed, with the aim of reducing the risk of celiac disease, diabetes and gluten allergy. However, 2 independent studies published in The New England Journal of Medicine in October 2014 reached the conclusion that the age of introduction of gluten does not modify the risk of developing celiac disease, and that breastfeeding at any age does not confer protection against celiac disease development. On the other hand, according to available scientific evidence, the introduction of foods other than breast milk or formula into the infants diet is generally recommended around 6 months of age, since the introduction before 4 months could be associated with an increased risk of food allergy and autoimmune diseases, and delaying it beyond 7 months would not have a protective effect. In this context, a group of experts has considered it appropriate to produce a consensus document based on the current scientific evidence and present general recommendations for daily clinical practice on the introduction of gluten into the diet.

Home enteral nutrition in adults: a European multicentre survey.

AIMS: This study was undertaken to report indications and practice of home enteral nutrition (HEN) in Europe. METHODS: A questionnaire on HEN practice was sent to 23 centres from Belgium (B), Denmark (D), France (F), Germany (G), Italy (I), Poland (P), Spain (S) and the United Kingdom (UK). This involved adult patients newly registered in HEN programme from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 1998. RESULTS: A total of 1397 patients (532 women, 865 men) were registered. The median incidence of HEN was 163 patients/million inhabitants/year (range: 62-457). Age distribution was 7.5%, 16-40 years; 37.1%, 41-65 years; 34.5%, 66-80 years and 20.9% >80 years. The chief underlying diseases were a neurological disorder (49.1%), or head and neck cancer (26.5%); the main reason for HEN was dysphagia (84.6%). A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (58.2%) or a naso-gastric tube (29.3%) were used to infuse commercial standard or high energy diets (65.3%), or fibre diets (24.5%); infusion was cyclical (61.5%) or bolus (34.1%). Indications and feeds were quite similar throughout the different centres but some differences exist concerning the underlying disease. There was greater variation in the choice of tubes and mode of infusion. In F, G, I, S, and UK, costs of HEN are fully funded. In B, D, and P patients have to pay part or all of the charges. CONCLUSIONS: In Europe, HEN was utilised mainly in dysphagic patients with neurological disorders or cancer, using a standard feed via a PEG. However, there were important differences among the countries in the underlying diseases treated, the routes used, the mode of administration and the funding.

Central venous catheter complications in 447 patients on home parenteral nutrition: an analysis of over 100.000 catheter days.

RATIONALE: The purpose of this study is to report the frequency of central venous catheter (CVC) complications and to analyze the potential risk factors for complications requiring CVC removal in home parenteral nutrition (HPN) patients. METHODS: A questionnaire developed by the ESPEN HAN WORKING GROUP was distributed to 12 European centers to investigate the complications occurring during the period between January 1995 and December 2000 when HPN patients used their first CVC. The questionnaire collected informations related to the Home Parenteral Nutrition technique and the underlying disease. Factors affecting the time of CVC removal were jointly investigated using Cox's multivariable regression models. RESULTS: The study was performed on 447 patients for a total of 110869 CVC-days. Complications occurred in about 1/4 of patients, approximately half were infections and about half required Central Venous Catheter removal. The Cox analysis showed that using the CVC 7 times/week and implanted ports were associated with a hazard ratio of 3 and 2.8, respectively. A reduced risk of removal (of about 40%) was associated with using CVC also for non-nutritional purposes (P = 0.0016). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of this retrospective investigation, the type of CVC, the type of administration of HPN and the type of training are important factors associated with occurrence of complications or with CVC removal. However, in our opinion, proper care of the CVC, of preparation and administration of the nutritive admixture seem to be paramount for a safe management of HPN.

[The practice of home artificial nutrition in Europe]. / La práctica de la nutrición artificial domiciliaria en Europa.

Artificial nutrition outside hospital settings is a widespread practice but with great variability. The prevalence of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) ranges from 120 patients per million inhabitants in the United States to 2-4 in Europe or 1.5 in Spain. The most frequent indication is the short intestine syndrome and active cancer. The largest group of patients is aged between 40 and 60, with only 10%-20% of children. Almost 2/3 of patients apply parenteral nutrition through a tunnelled catheter. In Spain, the incidence of complications is higher than that registered in Europe or North America. The most frequent are infection-related complication. At the present time, prognosis and survival in the medium and long term are higher with HPN than with intestinal transplant. This must be reserved for those patients presenting severe complications with HPN. The standardization of care and the development of good education programmes may contribute to an improvement in the results. Although home enteral nutrition was developed after HPN, it has grown much faster. It is difficult to determine the real incidence, which varies from 460 (United States) and 40 (Spain) patients per million inhabitants and year. Neurological diseases and cancer are the most frequent indications. Whereas in other countries of Europe, the main access route is gastrostomy, this only occurs in 25% of cases in Spain. The rate of complications is around 0.16 complications per patient and year. The prognosis basically depends on the underlying disease. Its increasing use in patients with progressive neurological deterioration raises ethical questions. The legislation and the organizational system varies from one country to another. In Spain, only home enteral nutrition is regulated by law.

[Home parenteral nutrition in patients with advanced cancer: experience of a single centre over ten years]. / Nutrición parenteral domiciliaria en pacientes con cáncer avanzado: experiencia en un solo centro a lo largo de diez años.

UNLABELLED: The use of Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) in patients with advanced cancer without the possibility of curative treatment continues to be a controversial subject entailing a considerable emotional burden. Nonetheless, this group of patients constitutes the main indication for HPN in many programmes. GOAL: To present the characteristics of a series of patients included on an HPN programme over the last ten years. METHOD: Retrospective study of the case histories of the 11 patients who received HPN over this period. The demographic and clinical details were noted along with their complications and evolution for comparison with those of a control group of patients with benign disease receiving HPN over the same period. For the comparisons, Student's t test and the chi-squared test were used as and when indicated. Results were considered statistically significant if p < 0.05. RESULTS: Eleven patients received HPN, nine of them because of an irresoluble intestinal obstruction and two because of a high flow fistula. The mean age at the start of HPN was 50.8 +/- 12.7 years versus 37.3 +/- 17.2 years for the group with benign disease (p < 0.05). The mean duration of HPN was 71.05 +/- 217 days in the first group, notably less than the second (387.15 +/- 995.85; p < 0.05), with a range between 5 and 760 days. The patients received the infusion through a previously implanted subcutaneous reservoir (n = 9) and on two occasions, electively, through a tunnelled catheter. The infection rate was higher in the group with cancer (0.34 episodes per patient and 1,000 days on HPN) than in the group with benign disease (0.08 episodes; p < 0.05). HPN was suspended in only one of the patients more than 5 days prior to death due to clinical deterioration. Two patients required admission due to a complication associated with the technique. In both cases, a fungal infection of the blood made it necessary to withdraw the catheter. The quality of life, measured by means of an activity scale, was similar at the start of HPN in both groups. None of the patients included on the programme is still alive. CONCLUSIONS: HPN offers patients with advanced cancer and severe intestinal dysfunction the possibility of an at-home treatment with a low complication rate. If we take into account the short mean duration of HPN, inclusion on the programme must be assessed individually and regularly revised.