ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patients with intestinal failure requiring home parenteral nutrition are at risk of vitamin D and other micronutrient deficiencies. Conventional enteral replacement of Vitamin D may not be sufficient for this patient group. This study examines whether buccal Vitamin D provides an alternative, effective route for supplementing Vitamin D in patients with intestinal failure. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who received buccal Vitamin D replacement between 1st January 2013 and 1st January 2020 at our hospital in Northern England was carried out. Demographics were recorded as were patients' daily intravenous fluid requirements using standard ESPEN definitions. Serum Vitamin D levels were recorded prior to buccal replacement and then at a minimum interval of 3 months after commencement. A cost comparison of a 6 month course of this preparation was also made with an equivalent duration of replacement using oral cholecalciferol capsules. RESULTS: 17 patients were identified. The mean level of Vitamin D prior to replacement was 28.4 nmol/l with 65% of patients classed as Vitamin D deficient (<25 nmol/l) prior to replacement. The average duration of buccal replacement prior to a repeat level was 5 months. Following buccal Vitamin D replacement no patients were classed as Vitamin D deficient with all levels ≥25 nmol/l and a mean of 62.3 nmol/l. There was a statistically significant increase in post buccal replacement serum Vitamin D concentrations (p = 0.001). Using costings from our hospital pharmacy a 6 month course of this buccal Vitamin D preparation was 38% less expensive than 6 months of replacement with oral cholecalciferol capsules. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that in patients with intestinal failure on home parenteral nutrition, buccal Vitamin D is both a use and cost-effective method of replacement.
