BAPEN: what is it, what does it do, and what can it do for you?

Dr Tim Bowling, Chair of BAPEN, introduces the Association's key goals and strategies for the year ahead, and discusses the role of community nurses in meeting these goals.

Does looped nasogastric tube feeding improve nutritional delivery for patients with dysphagia after acute stroke? A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding is commonly used after stroke, but its effectiveness is limited by frequent dislodgement. OBJECTIVE: the objective of the study was to evaluate looped NGT feeding in acute stroke patients with dysphagia. METHODS: this was a randomised controlled trial of 104 patients with acute stroke fed by NGT in three UK stroke units. NGT was secured using either a nasal loop (n = 51) or a conventional adhesive dressing (n = 53). The main outcome measure was the proportion of prescribed feed and fluids delivered via NGT in 2 weeks post-randomisation. Secondary outcomes were frequency of NGT insertions, treatment failure, tolerability, adverse events and costs at 2 weeks; mortality; length of hospital stay; residential status; and Barthel Index at 3 months. RESULTS: participants assigned to looped NGT feeding received a mean 17% (95% confidence interval 5-28%) more volume of feed and fluids, required fewer NGTs (median 1 vs 4), and had fewer electrolyte abnormalities than controls. There was more minor nasal trauma in the loop group. There were no differences in outcomes at 3 months. Looped NGT feeding cost 88 pounds sterling more per patient over 2 weeks than controls. CONCLUSION: looped NGT feeding improves delivery of feed and fluids and reduces NGT reinsertion with little additional cost.

Needs-based quality of life in adults dependent on home parenteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) provides life sustaining treatment for people with chronic intestinal failure. Individuals may require HPN for months or years and are dependent on regular intravenous infusions, usually 12-14 h overnight between 1 and 7 days each week. This regime can have adverse impact on the life of people dependent on the treatment. The aim of this study was to establish mean values for the Parenteral Nutrition Impact Questionnaire (PNIQ) and to determine the effect of disease, frequency of infusions per week and patient characteristics on quality of life of patients fed HPN. METHOD: The PNIQ was distributed to patients across nine UK HPN clinics. Data were analysed using linear regression, with PNIQ score as the dependent variable and potential confounders as independent variables. Unadjusted and adjusted models are presented. Higher PNIQ scores reflect poorer quality of life. RESULTS: Completed questionnaires were received from 466 people dependent on HPN. Mean PNIQ score was 11.04 (SD 5.79). A higher PNIQ score (effect size 0.52, CI 0.184 to 0.853) was recorded in those dependent on a higher frequency of HPN infusions per week. Respondents with cancer had a similar mean PNIQ score to those with inflammatory bowel disease (mean 10.82, SD 6.00 versus 11.04, SD 5.91). Those with surgical complications reported a poorer QoL (effect size 3.03, CI 0.642 to 5.418) and those with severe gastro-intestinal dysmotility reported a better QoL (effect size -3.03, CI -5.593 to -0.468), compared to other disease states. CONCLUSIONS: This large cohort study of quality of life in chronic intestinal failure demonstrates that HPN impacts individuals differently depending on their underlying disease. Furthermore, since the number of HPN infusions required per week is inversely related to an individual's needs-based quality of life, therapies that reduce PN burden should lead to an improvement in QoL.

Four-week parenteral nutrition using a third generation lipid emulsion (SMOFlipid)--a double-blind, randomised, multicentre study in adults.

PRECIS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and tolerance of a soybean/MCT/olive/fish oil emulsion in intestinal failure patients on long-term parenteral nutrition. 73 patients took part in a randomized, double-blind, multi-centre study. The study demonstrates that the lipid emulsion containing four different types of oils is safe and well tolerated in long-term PN. BACKGROUND & AIM: Long-term safety and efficacy of a lipid emulsion containing soybean oil, medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), olive oil and fish oil and enriched in vitamin E have not yet been evaluated in adult patients requiring long-term parenteral nutrition (PN). METHODS: Randomised, controlled, double-blind, multicentre study in 73 patients with stable intestinal failure, requiring PN with either soybean/MCT/olive/fish emulsion (SMOFlipid, n = 34) or soybean emulsion (Intralipid, control n = 39) for 4 weeks. Safety and tolerance were monitored with standard clinical laboratory parameters, adverse events (AEs, according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) classification v 3.0) and vital signs. Fatty acid pattern in red blood cell phospholipids and plasma lipoproteins, serum Vitamin E, Interleukin (IL)-6, and soluble tumour necrosis (s-TNF)-receptor(R)II were also evaluated. RESULTS: Mean concentrations of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and total bilirubin, whilst remaining within the reference range, were significantly lower with soybean/MCT/olive/fish (SMOF) oil emulsion after the treatment period compared to control. Eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and n-3/n-6 fatty acid ratio increased in the SMOF group, while they remained unchanged in the control in plasma and RBC. Serum α-tocopherol concentrations significantly increased in the study group compared to control (p = 0.0004). IL-6 and sTNF-RII levels did not change during the study period. Grade 4 (serious) adverse events occurred in 2 SMOF patients and in 8 control patients (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Soybean/MCT/olive/fish emulsion was safe and well tolerated over 4 weeks and leads to positive change in fatty acids profile.

Crohn's disease or TB--the perennial question and diagnostic pitfalls.

A previously healthy 28-year old lady from Saudi Arabia presented with recurrent peri-anal abscesses progressing to fistula-in-ano. These were treated with incision and drainages and with setonisation of the fistula. Multiple biopsy and culture specimens were taken to rule out tuberculosis (TB) or Crohn's disease - all showed granulomatous disease suggestive of either Crohn's or TB, no mycobacteria were grown. MRI scanning also suggested either TB or Crohn's disease. Tuberculin skin test was inconclusive and Quantiferon Gold test was negative. Treatment for Crohn's was started with oral prednisolone - the patient deteriorated and adalimumab (tumour necrosis factor α antagonist) was commenced. With continued deterioration in the absence of intra-abdominal abscesses, a clinical diagnosis of TB was made, Crohn's treatment suspended and quadruple therapy for TB was initiated. The patient rapidly improved and a delayed re-look histological specimen identified an isolated mycobacterium. Subsequent cultures confirmed drug-sensitive TB. The lady is currently well on TB eradication regimen.

Tube feeding with a diabetes-specific feed for 12 weeks improves glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Assess longer-term (12 weeks) effects of a diabetes-specific feed on postprandial glucose response, glycaemic control (HbA1c), lipid profile, (pre)-albumin, clinical course and tolerance in diabetic patients. METHODS: In this randomized, controlled, double-blind, parallel group study 25 type 2 diabetic patients on tube feeding were included. Patients received a soy-protein based, multi-fibre diabetes-specific feed or isocaloric, fibre-containing standard feed for 12 weeks, while continuing on their anti-diabetic medication. At the beginning, after 6 and 12 weeks, several (glycaemic) parameters were assessed. RESULTS: The postprandial glucose response (iAUC) to the diabetes-specific feed was lower at the 1st assessment compared with the standard feed (p=0.008) and this difference did not change over time. HbA1c decreased over time in the diabetes-specific and not in the standard feed group (treatment*time:p=0.034): 6.9+/-0.3% (mean+/-SEM) at baseline vs. 6.2+/-0.4% at 12 weeks in the diabetes-specific group compared to 7.9+/-0.3% to 8.7+/-0.4% in the standard feed group. No significant treatment*time effect was found for fasting glucose, insulin, (pre-) albumin or lipid profile, except for increase of HDL in the diabetes-specific group. CONCLUSIONS: The diabetes-specific feed studied significantly improved longer-term glycaemic control in diabetic patients. This was achieved in addition to on-going anti-diabetic medication and may affect clinical outcome.

The effects of bolus and continuous nasogastric feeding on gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastric emptying in healthy volunteers: a randomised three-way crossover pilot study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nasogastric feeding may result in gastro-oesophageal reflux and, therefore, increase the risk of aspiration. This may be greater when feeds are administered via a bolus than by infusion. We aimed to measure gastric emptying time and quantify gastro-oesophageal reflux in healthy volunteers given a liquid feed via an oral bolus (OB), a nasogastric tube bolus (TB) and a nasogastric tube drip (TD). METHODS: Twelve male volunteers participated in three separate studies (OB, TB and TD) in random order, each 3 days apart. The feed consisted of 220 ml Ensure Plus (1.5 kcal/ml), labelled with 12 MBq (99m)Tc DTPA. The OB and TB were given over 5 min and the infusion rate for the TD was 55 ml/h. Gastric emptying time was measured using gamma scintigraphy. Gastro-oesophageal reflux was observed continuously until the stomach was empty, using a multichannel intraluminal impedance catheter. RESULTS: Mean (95% CI) T(50) gastric emptying times for the OB and TB studies were 41.3 (36.5-46.2) min and 36.2 (30.6-41.8) min respectively (p=0.19). The stomach emptied at a rate equal to the infusion rate in the TD studies. Median (IQR) number of reflux episodes for the OB, TB and TD studies were 4.5 (2.0-6.0), 3.0 (2.0-4.75) and 2.0 (0.25-6.25) respectively. Median (IQR) total duration of reflux for the OB, TB and TD studies were 38 (20-242), 49 (17-71) and 36 (1-125) s respectively (p=NS). CONCLUSIONS: The lack of difference in gastro-oesophageal reflux between bolus and continuous feeding indicates that in healthy volunteers both methods are equally safe with respect to the risk of aspiration.

Is looped nasogastric tube feeding more effective than conventional nasogastric tube feeding for dysphagia in acute stroke?

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia occurs in up to 50% of patients admitted to hospital with acute strokes with up to 27% remaining by seven days. Up to 8% continue to have swallowing problems six months after their stroke with 1.7% still requiring enteral feeding. Nasogastric tubes (NGT) are the most commonly used method for providing enteral nutrition in early stroke, however they are easily and frequently removed leading to inadequate nutrition, early PEG (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy) insertion or abandoning of feeding attempts. Looped nasogastric tube feeding may improve the delivery of nutrition to such patients. METHODS: Three centre, two arm randomised controlled trial, with 50 participants in each arm comparing loop (the intervention) versus conventional nasogastric tube feeding. The primary outcome measure is proportion of intended feed delivered in the first 2 weeks. The study is designed to show a mean increase of feed delivery of 16% in the intervention group as compared with the control group, with 90% power at a 5% significance level. Secondary outcomes are treatment failures, mean volume of feed received, adverse events, cost-effectiveness, number of chest x-rays, number of nasogastric tubes and tolerability. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN Number: ISRCTN61174381.