Is Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tube Feeding Beneficial for Improving Survival in Patients With Dementia? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Current Pieces of Evidence

Dementia is a progressive, disabling neurogenic disease that results in serious nutritional deficiencies included dysphagia, malnutrition, and weight loss. The Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) is a long-term enteral feeding method that is routinely used in demented patients with poor food intake as a standard protocol. However, most of the pieces of evidence have not shown the beneficial effects of PEG feeding on complications or survival rates in these patients. Some studies have even reported an increase in mortality. The current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the mortality rate and survival in primary demented patients with PEG. A systematic search was conducted on Pubmed and Scopus databases up to Aug 2019. The data were reviewed according to the Cochrane handbook and preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) and meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology (MOOSE). Based on the random-effects model, the mortality rate and median survival were expressed as risk ratio and weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% CI, respectively. Among 13 included studies, PEG insertion in patients with primary dementia has no significant effect on 30-day, 90-day, 180-day, 1-year, and 2- year mortality rate or median survival (WMD: 9.77; 95% CI: -22.43 to 41.98; P=0.55). It seems that nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding in compared to PEG in this population is more effective. In conclusion, further prospective studies are needed for comprehensive evaluation of mortality or survival regarding comorbidities, underlying disease, cognitive and physical performance, and nutritional problems in demented patients.

Comprehensive risk assessment for hospital-acquired pneumonia: sociodemographic, clinical, and hospital environmental factors associated with the incidence of hospital-acquired pneumonia

Background Social and hospital environmental factors that may be associated with hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) have not been evaluated. Comprehensive risk assessment for the incidence of HAP including sociodemographic, clinical, and hospital environmental factors was conducted using national health insurance claims data. Methods This is a population-based retrospective cohort study of adult patients who were hospitalized for more than 3 days from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service-National Inpatient Sample data between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018 in South Korea. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the factors associated with the incidence of HAP. Results Among the 512,278 hospitalizations, we identified 25,369 (5.0%) HAP cases. In multivariable analysis, well-known risk factors associated with HAP such as older age (over 70 vs. 20–29; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.36–3.99), male sex (aOR, 1.35; 95% CI 1.32–1.39), pre-existing lung diseases (asthma [aOR, 1.73; 95% CI 1.66–1.80]; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [aOR, 1.62; 95% CI 1.53–1.71]; chronic lower airway disease [aOR, 1.79; 95% CI 1.73–1.85]), tube feeding (aOR, 3.32; 95% CI 3.16–3.50), suctioning (aOR, 2.34; 95% CI 2.23–2.47), positioning (aOR, 1.63; 95% CI 1.55–1.72), use of mechanical ventilation (aOR, 2.31; 95% CI 2.15–2.47), and intensive care unit admission (aOR, 1.29; 95% CI 1.22–1.36) were associated with the incidence of HAP. In addition, poverty (aOR, 1.08; 95% CI 1.04–1.13), general hospitals (aOR, 1.54; 95% CI 1.39–1.70), higher bed-to-nurse ratio (Grade ≥ 5; aOR, 1.45; 95% CI 1.32–1.59), higher number of beds per hospital room (6 beds; aOR, 3.08; 95% CI 2.77–3.42), and ward with caregiver (aOR, 1.19; 95% CI 1.12–1.26) were related to the incidence of HAP. Conclusions The incidence of HAP was associated with various sociodemographic, clinical, and hospital environmental factors. Thus, taking a comprehensive approach to prevent and treat HAP is important.

To Improve the Initial Inpatient Management of Adolescents Admitted with Severe Anorexia Nervosa: A Narrative Review and a Convenient Protocol

Inadequate nutritional rehabilitation of severely malnourished adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) increases the risk of medical complications. There is no consensus on best practices for inpatient nutritional rehabilitation and medical stabilization for severe AN. This study aimed to elaborate an admission protocol for adolescents with severe AN based on a comprehensive narrative review of current evidence. A Pubmed search was conducted in July 2017 and updated in August 2020, using the keywords severe AN or eating disorders (ED), management guidelines and adolescent. Relevant references cited in these guidelines were retrieved. A secondary search was conducted using AN or ED and refeeding protocol, refeeding syndrome (RS), hypophosphatemia, hypoglycemia, cardiac monitoring or cardiac complications. Evidence obtained was used to develop the admission protocol. Selective blood tests were proposed during the first three days of nutritional rehabilitation. Higher initial caloric intake is supported by evidence. Continuous nasogastric tube feeding was proposed for patients with a BMI < 12 kg/m2. We monitor hypoglycemia for 72 h. Continuous cardiac monitoring for bradycardia <30 BPM and systematic phosphate supplementation should be considered. Developing protocols is necessary to improve standardization of care. We provide an example of an inpatient admission protocol for adolescents with severe AN.

Blenderized tube feeding for children: an integrative review

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze scientific evidence on the use of blenderized tube feeding in children regarding nutritional composition, family satisfaction, and health outcomes. Data source: Survey was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases using the following search terms: blenderized tube feeding OR blended tube feeding OR homemade OR pureed AND enteral nutrition AND enteral tube. The methodological quality of the selected articles was evaluated using the Critical Appraisal Skill Programme and Hierarchical Classification of Evidence. Data synthesis: After analysis, 11 articles were included in the present review. Most studies demonstrated improvements in health outcomes and greater family satisfaction after replacing the commercial enteral feeding with blenderized tube feeding. Conclusions: When guided and monitored by the healthcare team, a blenderized tube feeding ensures an adequate nutritional composition. The use of this method is also associated with positive health outcomes such as reductions in gastrointestinal symptoms and hospitalizations. Moreover, a high frequency of family satisfaction was verified.%

Developing a Quality Improvement Feeding Program for NICU Patients

Practices in NICUs vary widely, particularly when clinical decisions involve complex tasks and multiple disciplines, which occurs with feeding preterm infants. Neonatal feeding difficulties in preterm infants often lead to prolonged tube feeding and therefore lengthened hospital stays. Education and compliance with evidence-based protocols and guidelines are needed on the initiation of feedings and feeding advancement to transform enteral and oral feeding practices and thus reduce practice variation and improve clinical outcomes.

Evaluation of early feeding through nasogastric tube in patients after cardiovascular surgery at the Hanoi Heart Hospital

Objectives: The goal of the study was to describle and understand the factors related to the nasogastric tube feeding in patients after cardio-vascular surgery. Methods: The study involved 100 consecutive patients who underwent cardio-vascular surgery at Hanoi Heart Hospital from April 1 to August 3, 2019..All subjects underwent assessed with the early feeding through nasogastric tube after 6 hours operation. Main results: The mean age of the patients was 54.4 ± 14.5 years old. The percentage of men were 48%, BMI <18.5 were 25%, used inotropic drug were 46% and sedative were 27%. The incidence of patients with abdominal distension and vomiting were 13%. No complications related to early feeding. Factors related to the residual index were sedation and duration of mechanical ventilation. Conclusion: Early nasogastric tube feeding in patients after cardiac and vascular surgery is safe, feasible and feasible.