Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy versus nasogastric tube feeding for adults with swallowing disturbances

Factors Contributing to Complete Oral Intake in Dysphagic Stroke Patients with Enteral Feeding Tubes in Convalescent Rehabilitation Wards

Objectives:

This study investigated the factors contributing to complete oral intake (COI) in dysphagic stroke patients with enteral feeding tubes in the local clinical setting.

Methods:

Data of patients with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) or nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding on admission to convalescent rehabilitation wards (CRWs) were extracted from the Kaga Regional Cooperation Clinical Pathway for Stroke database for multiple centers including 19 acute care hospitals and 11 hospitals with CRWs. Patients were divided into two groups based on their status regarding COI or incomplete oral intake (ICOI) at discharge. Logistic regression analysis with forced-entry variables was used to identify factors contributing to COI.

Results:

On discharge from CRWs, COI and ICOI were observed in 140 and 207 cases, respectively. The COI group was younger, had a higher rate of initial stroke, higher Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) scores, higher Functional Independence Measure (FIM) motor and cognitive scores, higher Body Mass Index (BMI), lower rate of patients with PEG, and shorter stays in acute care wards. Logistic regression analysis with forced entry revealed that younger age; initial stroke; higher FOIS score, FIM cognitive score, and BMI; and shorter stay in the acute care ward contributed to COI.

Conclusions:

The primary factors contributing to COI in dysphagic stroke patients with enteral feeding tubes were younger age, initial stroke, higher swallowing and cognitive function, good nutritional status, and shorter stay in the acute care ward.

ESPEN practical guideline: Home enteral nutrition

This ESPEN practical guideline will inform physicians, nurses, dieticians, pharmacists, caregivers and other home enteral nutrition (HEN) providers in a concise way about the indications and contraindications for HEN, as well as its implementation and monitoring. This guideline will also inform interested patients requiring HEN. Home parenteral nutrition is not included but will be addressed in a separate ESPEN guideline. The guideline is based on the ESPEN scientific guideline published before, which consists of 61 recommendations that have been reproduced and renumbered, along with the associated commentaries that have been shorted compared to the scientific guideline. Evidence grades and consensus levels are indicated. The guideline was commissioned and financially supported by ESPEN and the members of the guideline group were selected by ESPEN.

Models and applications for measuring the impact of health research: update of a systematic review for the Health Technology Assessment programme

BACKGROUND

This report reviews approaches and tools for measuring the impact of research programmes, building on, and extending, a 2007 review.

OBJECTIVES

(1) To identify the range of theoretical models and empirical approaches for measuring the impact of health research programmes; (2) to develop a taxonomy of models and approaches; (3) to summarise the evidence on the application and use of these models; and (4) to evaluate the different options for the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme.

DATA SOURCES

We searched databases including Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and The Cochrane Library from January 2005 to August 2014.

REVIEW METHODS

This narrative systematic literature review comprised an update, extension and analysis/discussion. We systematically searched eight databases, supplemented by personal knowledge, in August 2014 through to March 2015.

RESULTS

The literature on impact assessment has much expanded. The Payback Framework, with adaptations, remains the most widely used approach. It draws on different philosophical traditions, enhancing an underlying logic model with an interpretative case study element and attention to context. Besides the logic model, other ideal type approaches included constructionist, realist, critical and performative. Most models in practice drew pragmatically on elements of several ideal types. Monetisation of impact, an increasingly popular approach, shows a high return from research but relies heavily on assumptions about the extent to which health gains depend on research. Despite usually requiring systematic reviews before funding trials, the HTA programme does not routinely examine the impact of those trials on subsequent systematic reviews. The York/Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation toolkits provide ways of assessing such impact, but need to be evaluated. The literature, as reviewed here, provides very few instances of a randomised trial playing a major role in stopping the use of a new technology. The few trials funded by the HTA programme that may have played such a role were outliers.

DISCUSSION

The findings of this review support the continued use of the Payback Framework by the HTA programme. Changes in the structure of the NHS, the development of NHS England and changes in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's remit pose new challenges for identifying and meeting current and future research needs. Future assessments of the impact of the HTA programme will have to take account of wider changes, especially as the Research Excellence Framework (REF), which assesses the quality of universities' research, seems likely to continue to rely on case studies to measure impact. The HTA programme should consider how the format and selection of case studies might be improved to aid more systematic assessment. The selection of case studies, such as in the REF, but also more generally, tends to be biased towards high-impact rather than low-impact stories. Experience for other industries indicate that much can be learnt from the latter. The adoption of researchfish^® (researchfish Ltd, Cambridge, UK) by most major UK research funders has implications for future assessments of impact. Although the routine capture of indexed research publications has merit, the degree to which researchfish will succeed in collecting other, non-indexed outputs and activities remains to be established.

LIMITATIONS

There were limitations in how far we could address challenges that faced us as we extended the focus beyond that of the 2007 review, and well beyond a narrow focus just on the HTA programme.

CONCLUSIONS

Research funders can benefit from continuing to monitor and evaluate the impacts of the studies they fund. They should also review the contribution of case studies and expand work on linking trials to meta-analyses and to guidelines.

FUNDING

The National Institute for Health Research HTA programme.

Recommendation of Nasogastric Tube Removal in Acute Stroke Patients Based on Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study

Objective

To evaluate the safety of nasogastric tube (NGT) removal and change to oral feeding with a food thickener for acute stroke patients in whom a videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) confirmed thin liquid aspiration.

Methods

We retrospectively examined data of 199 patients with first stroke who were diagnosed with dysphagia from 2011 to 2015. Swallowing function was evaluated using VFSS. Patients included in this study were monitored for 4 weeks to identify the occurrence of aspiration pneumonia. The penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) was used to assess VFSS findings. The patients were divided into thin-liquid aspiration group (group 1, n=104) and no thin-liquid aspiration group (group 2, n=95).

Results

The feeding method was changed from NGT feeding to oral feeding with food thickener (group 1) and without food thickener (group 2). The PAS scores of thin and thick liquids were 6.46±0.65 and 1.92±0.73, respectively, in group 1 and 2.65±0.74 and 1.53±0.58, respectively, in group 2. Aspiration pneumonia developed in 1.9% of group 1 and 3.2% of group 2 (p=0.578), with no significant difference between the groups.

Conclusion

We concluded that removing the NGT and changing to oral feeding with a food thickener is a safe food modification for acute stroke patients with thin liquid aspiration. Therefore, we recommend that VFSS should be conducted promptly in acute stroke patients to avoid unnecessary prolonged NGT feeding.

Factors Predicting Recovery of Oral Intake in Stroke Survivors with Dysphagia in a Convalescent Rehabilitation Ward

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy may be performed in dysphagic stroke patients. However, some patients regain complete oral intake without gastrostomy. This study aimed to investigate the predictive factors of intake, thereby determining gastrostomy indications.

METHOD

Stroke survivors admitted to our convalescent rehabilitation ward who underwent gastrostomy or nasogastric tube placement from 2009 to 2015 were divided into 2 groups based on intake status at discharge. Demographic data and Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Dysphagia Severity Scale (DSS), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores on admission were compared between groups. We evaluated the factors predicting intake using a stepwise logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients recovered intake, whereas 38 achieved incomplete intake. Mean age was lower, mean body mass index (BMI) was higher, and mean time from stroke onset to admission was shorter in the complete intake group. The complete intake group had less impairment in terms of GCS, FIM, and DSS scores. In the stepwise logistic regression analysis, BMI, FIM-cognitive score, and DSS score were significant independent factors predicting intake. The formula of BMI × .26 + FIM cognitive score × .19 + DSS score × 1.60 predicted recovery of complete intake with a sensitivity of 88.2% and a specificity of 84.2%.

CONCLUSIONS

Stroke survivors with dysphagia with a high BMI and FIM-cognitive and DSS scores tended to recover oral intake.

Novel Visual Nasogastric Tube Insertion System: A Feasibility and Efficiency Study in a Manikin

Background. Conventional nasogastric tube placement is an essential clinical procedure; however, complications may arise from blind manipulation. We tested the feasibility and efficiency of a visual nasogastric tube insertion system (VNGS) using a manikin. Methods. A microimaging fiber (0.8 mm) was integrated into the nasogastric tube to create the VNGS. Twenty inexperienced physicians were enrolled and assigned to the visual or conventional group. Each physician performed 10 repeated nasogastric tube insertions with visual guidance or the conventional method; another 20 inexperienced medical students received nasogastric tube insertion training using visual guidance or the conventional method. Results. The nasogastric tube successfully reached the stomach and the narrow anatomic structures were visualized with the VNGS. Time required for insertion was significantly shorter in the visual group compared to the conventional group (22.56 ± 3.08 versus 37.30 ± 4.12 seconds, P < 0.001). Tube misplacement was observed in 19/100 cases (19%) in the conventional group; no misplacement was observed in the visual group. Less mucosal damage was noted in the visual group (3.43 ± 1.63 versus 9.86 ± 2.31 cm²). Medical students performed better NGT insertions (shorter insertion time and less procedure-related complications) after undergoing the visual guidance training. Conclusions. The VNGS may provide a new technique for nasogastric tube insertion applicable to clinical use or simulation training.

Portable disposable ultrathin endoscopy tested through percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

BACKGROUND

A portable disposable ultrathin endoscope (DUE) with high visual quality and maneuverability would reduce the need for expensive facilities and emergency endoscopy could be available anywhere. It would increase patient satisfaction, prevent unnecessary sedation, and reduce infection. Our aim was to evaluate the usefulness of portable DUE in performing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG).

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled patients who underwent PEG under DUE guidance and compared them with historical controls who underwent PEG under conventional ultrathin endoscopy (CUE) guidance. The primary outcomes were successful stomach visualization and PEG tube insertion.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients (19 male) were enrolled and compared with 25 gender and indication-matched controls. The most common indications for PEG were aspiration due to stroke or brain injury, dementia, and head and neck cancer. Entrance into the stomach was achieved in 92.0% (23/25) and 96% (24/25) in the DUE and CUE groups, and PEG was performed in 91.3% (21/23) and 95.8% (23/24), respectively. The mean insertion time for the DUE and CUE groups were 22.7 ± 9.3 minutes and 17.1 ± 5.7 minutes (P = 0.044). The 3 cases of failure to reach the stomach in both groups were caused by esophageal blockage. The 3 cases of failed PEG tube insertion were caused by poor visualization of the insertion site. Bleeding and pneumoperitoneum occurred in 1 and 2 patients in the DUE group. One case of fever was noted in the CUE group. All adverse events were conservatively managed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that portable DUE in facilities without endoscopy equipment may be clinically feasible.

Tuberculous Bronchoesophageal Fistula Managed Conservatively with a Percutaneous Gastrostomy for Feeding and Administration of Medication

Bronchoesophageal fistulae are a rare complication of tuberculosis. Traditionally they are managed by either thoracotomy with resection and closure of the fistulous tract or by taking a more conservative approach of giving standard treatment for tuberculosis while ensuring nutritional support through a nasogastric tube. We report a young student with disseminated tuberculosis complicated by a bronchoesophageal fistula. He was managed conservatively with anti-tuberculous chemotherapy and nutrition administered through a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube. This approach was associated with a relatively good quality of life and he was able to pursue his studies uninterrupted at the local university.

Oropharyngeal dysphagia in older persons - from pathophysiology to adequate intervention: a review and summary of an international expert meeting

Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is a highly prevalent and growing condition in the older population. Although OD may cause very severe complications, it is often not detected, explored, and treated. Older patients are frequently unaware of their swallowing dysfunction which is one of the reasons why the consequences of OD, ie, aspiration, dehydration, and malnutrition, are regularly not attributed to dysphagia. Older patients are particularly vulnerable to dysphagia because multiple age-related changes increase the risk of dysphagia. Physicians in charge of older patients should be aware that malnutrition, dehydration, and pneumonia are frequently caused by (unrecognized) dysphagia. The diagnosis is particularly difficult in the case of silent aspiration. In addition to numerous screening tools, videofluoroscopy was the traditional gold standard of diagnosing OD. Recently, the fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing is increasingly utilized because it has several advantages. Besides making a diagnosis, fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing is applied to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic maneuvers and texture modification of food and liquids. In addition to swallowing training and nutritional interventions, newer rehabilitation approaches of stimulation techniques are showing promise and may significantly impact future treatment strategies.

The Effects of the VFSS Timing After Nasogastric Tube Removal on Swallowing Function of the Patients With Dysphagia

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of the videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) timing after the nasogastric tube (NGT) removal on swallowing function of the patients with dysphagia.

METHODS

This study was conducted on 40 NGT-fed patients with dysphagia. To assess the patients' swallowing function, VFSS was performed twice using a 5-mL 35% diluted barium solution. For the initial examination, VFSS was performed immediately after the NGT removal (VFSS 1). For the second examination, VFSS was performed five hours after the NGT removal (VFSS 2). We used the functional dysphagia scale (FDS) to assess swallowing function. In the FDS, a significant difference in the four items in the oral phase, seven items in the pharyngeal phase, and total scores were assessed (p<0.05). We also used modified penetration-aspiration scale (mPAS) to compare the two examinations (p<0.05).

RESULTS

A paired t-test was performed to confirm the statistical significance of the two examinations (p<0.05). The overall swallowing function was assessed as better in VFSS 2 than in VFSS 1. In the FDS, significant differences in the residue in valleculae (p=0.002), the residue in pyriform sinuses (p=0.001), the coating of pharyngeal wall after swallow (p=0.001), and the total scores (p<0.001) were found between the two examinations. Also, in the mPAS that assessed the degree of penetration-aspiration, a significant difference was found between the two examinations (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study confirmed that the timing of the VFSS after the NGT removal affects the swallowing function. Thus, to accurately assess the swallowing function, VFSS must be performed in NGT-fed patients after they have rested for a certain period following the removal of their NGT.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy versus nasogastric tube feeding for adults with swallowing disturbances

BACKGROUND

A number of conditions compromise the passage of food along the digestive tract. Nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding is a classic, time-proven technique, although its prolonged use can lead to complications such as lesions to the nasal wing, chronic sinusitis, gastro-oesophageal reflux, and aspiration pneumonia. Another method of infusion, percutaneous endoscopy gastrostomy (PEG), is generally used when there is a need for enteral nutrition for a longer time period. There is a high demand for PEG in patients with swallowing disorders, although there is no consistent evidence about its effectiveness and safety as compared to NGT.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of PEG compared with NGT for adults with swallowing disturbances.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and LILACS from inception to January 2014, and contacted the main authors in the subject area. There was no language restriction in the search.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We planned to include randomised controlled trials comparing PEG versus NGT for adults with swallowing disturbances or dysphagia and indications for nutritional support, with any underlying diseases. The primary outcome was intervention failure (e.g. feeding interruption, blocking or leakage of the tube, no adherence to treatment).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration. For dichotomous and continuous variables, we used risk ratio (RR) and mean difference (MD), respectively with the random-effects statistical model and 95% confidence interval (CI). We assumed statistical heterogeneity when I² > 50%.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 11 randomised controlled studies with 735 participants which produced 16 meta-analyses of outcome data. Meta-analysis indicated that the primary outcome of intervention failure, occurred in lower proportion of participants with PEG compared to NGT (RR 0.18, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.59, eight studies, 408 participants, low quality evidence) and this difference was statistically significant. For this outcome, we also subgrouped the studies by endoscopic gastrostomy technique into pull, and push and not reported. We observed a significant difference favouring PEG in the pull subgroup (RR 0.07, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.35, three studies, 90 participants). Thepush subgroup contained only one clinical trial and the result favoured PEG (RR 0.05, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.74, one study, 33 participants) techniques. We found no statistically significant difference in cases where the technique was not reported (RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.13 to 1.44, four studies, 285 participants).There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for meta-analyses of the secondary outcomes of mortality (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.28, 644 participants, nine studies, very low quality evidence), overall reports of any adverse event at any follow-up time point (ITT analysis, RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.51 to 1.34), 597 participants, 6 studies, moderate quality evidence), specific adverse events including pneumonia (aspiration) (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.46 to 1.06, 645 participants, seven studies, low quality evidence), or for the meta- analyses of the secondary outcome of nutritional status including weight change from baseline, and mid-arm circumference at endpoint, although there was evidence in favour of PEG for meta-analyses of mid-arm circumference change from baseline (MD 1.16, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.31, 115 participants, two studies), and levels of serum albumin were higher in the PEG group (MD 6.03, 95% CI 2.31 to 9.74, 107 participants).For meta-analyses of the secondary outcomes of time on enteral nutrition, there was no statistically significant difference (MD 14.48, 95% CI -2.74 to 31.71; 119 participants, two studies). For meta-analyses of quality of life measures (EuroQol) outcomes in two studies with 133 participants, for inconvenience (RR 0.03, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.29), discomfort (RR 0.03, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.29), altered body image (RR 0.01, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.18; P = 0.001) and social activities (RR 0.01, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.18) the intervention favoured PEG, that is, fewer participants found the intervention of PEG to be inconvenient, uncomfortable or interfered with social activities. However, there were no significant differences between the groups for pain, ease of learning to use, or the secondary outcome of length of hospital stay (two studies, 381 participants).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

PEG was associated with a lower probability of intervention failure, suggesting the endoscopic procedure may be more effective and safe compared with NGT. There is no significant difference in mortality rates between comparison groups, or in adverse events, including pneumonia related to aspiration. Future studies should include details of participant demographics including underlying disease, age and gender, and the gastrostomy technique.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy: Technical Problems, Complications, and Management

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is an important technique for the provision of nutrition. The present study presents data from our analysis of the PEG procedure. Patients administered with PEG at the endoscopy unit of the 19 Mayıs University General Surgery Department between 2007 and 2013 were analyzed retrospectively, and technical problems, indications, and complications related to the PEG procedure in 221 patients were evaluated. Of the patients, 60 % were male and the median age was 61 years (18-92 years). The most frequent indication was admittance to the intensive care unit, accounting for 46 % of the total, followed by neurological disease, with 41 %. The success rate of the procedure was 98 %, and the overall rate of complications was 22 %. No mortalities were reported as resulting from the procedure. The most common complication was the development of granulomas around the tube (8 %). PEG is a safe method of long-term feeding but is associated with a high rate of morbidity that can be treated easily using conservative treatment methods.

[Routes of nutrition and types of diet among dependent community-dwelling older care recipients and the relevance to mortality and hospitalization]

AIM

To clarify the routes of nutrition and types of diet and their relevance to the risk of mortality and hospitalization among community-dwelling dependent elderly provided various home care services under the long-term care insurance program.

METHODS

The present study consisted of the collection of baseline data of participants in the Nagoya Longitudinal Study of the Frail Elderly (NLS-FE) and data regarding mortality and hospitalization during a three-year follow-up period. The study population consisted of 1,872 subjects, and the baseline data included demographic characteristics, basic activities of daily living (ADLs), comorbidities, nutritional routes and types of diet, which were evaluated by trained visiting nurses.

RESULTS

Among the participants, 1,786 were on oral nutrition (solid regular-texture diet: 1,487 (79.5%); modified-texture diet (minced/pureed texture): 299 (16.0%), 82 (4.4%) were on enteral nutrition and four (0.2%) were on parenteral nutrition. During the three-year follow-up period, 453 participants died and 798 participants experienced admission to the hospital (pneumonia-related death and hospitalization: n=103 and 155, respectively). Cox regression models revealed that a modified-texture diet and tube feeding are associated with all-cause mortality and hospitalization. In particular, feeding tube use showed a high risk of pneumonia-related mortality and hospitalization, even after adjusting for potential confounders, including comorbidities and the ADL status.

Current practices in feeding tube placement for US acute ischemic stroke inpatients

OBJECTIVE

We sought to identify current US hospital practices for feeding tube placement in ischemic stroke.

METHODS

In a retrospective observational study, we examined the frequency of feeding tube placement among hospitals in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample with ≥30 adult ischemic stroke admissions annually with length of stay greater than 3 days. We examined trends from 2004 to 2011 and predictors using data from more recent years (2008-2011). We used multilevel multivariable regression models accounting for a hospital random effect, adjusted for patient-level and hospital-level factors to predict feeding tube placement.

RESULTS

Feeding tube insertion rates did not change from 2004 to 2011 (8.1 vs 8.4 per 100 admissions; p trend = 0.11). Among 1,540 hospitals with 164,408 stroke hospitalizations from 2008 to 2011, a feeding tube was placed 8.8% of the time (n = 14,480). Variation in the rate of feeding tube placement was high, from 0% to 26% between hospitals (interquartile range 4.8%-11.2%). In the subset with available race/ethnicity data (n = 88,385), after controlling for patient demographics, socioeconomics, and comorbidities, hospital factors associated with feeding tube placement included stroke volume (odds ratio [OR] 1.28 highest vs lowest quartile; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-1.49), for-profit status (OR 1.13 vs nonprofit; 95% CI 1.01-1.25), and intubation use (OR 1.66 highest vs lowest quartile; 95% CI 1.47-1.87). In addition, hospitals with higher rates of black/Hispanic stroke admissions had increased risk of feeding tube placement (OR 1.28 highest vs lowest quartile; 95% CI 1.14-1.44).

CONCLUSIONS

Variation in feeding tube insertion rates across hospitals is large. Differences across hospitals may be partly explained by external factors beyond the patient-centered decision to insert a feeding tube.

Associating factors regarding nasogastric tube removal in patients with Dysphagia after stroke

Objective

To demonstrate associating factors regarding nasogastric tube (NGT) removal in patients with dysphagia after stroke.

Methods

This study is a retrospective medical chart review. Patients were divided into non-brain stem (NBS) and brain stem (BS) groups. A videofluoroscopic swallowing study was conducted until swallowing functions were recovered. Initial disease status was measured using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Risk factors related to stroke were evaluated. The penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) was used as the swallowing test. Functional status was measured by Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and Modified Barthel Index (MBI). Within each group, initial evaluations and their subsequent changes were compared according to the NGT removal status. Correlation between the NGT removal time and other initial factors were evaluated.

Results

Ninety-nine patients were allocated to the NBS group and 39 to the BS group. In NBS, age, PAS, MMSE, and MBI were significantly different according to the NGT removal status. In BS, smoking and PAS were significantly different. In NBS, changes in PAS, MMSE, and MBI were significantly different according to the NGT removal status. In BS, only PAS change was significantly different. In NBS, initial NIHSS, mRS, MMSE, and MBI were correlated with removal time.

Conclusion

In stroke patients with NTG, younger age, better initial disease and functional status seems to remove NGT in NBS stroke. Therefore, when deciding to remove NGT, those three factors should be considered discreetly.

Dysphagia: implications for older people

Dysphagia represents a salient concern in many conditions prevalent in older people. There are direct implications for morbidity and mortality. The importance of recognizing and managing dysphagia in hospital and the community also extends to psychosocial impact and quality of life, as well as health, economic and ethical-legal issues. This review outlines reasons for the importance of recognizing and treating dysphagia. It then proceeds to look at recent developments in our understanding of the nature, assessment and management of dysphagia in older people. Whilst there are well-established practices in assessment and management, ongoing work continues to challenge the validity and reliability of many methods. These concerns are covered and directions for future developments highlighted.

Nurse initiated reinsertion of nasogastric tubes in the emergency department: a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Patients sometimes present to the Emergency Department (ED) for reinsertion of nasogastric tubes (NGT) because of tube dislodgement. They usually need to wait for a long time to see a doctor before the NGT can be reinserted. This study aimed at investigating the feasibility of nurse initiated NGT insertion for these patients in order to improve patient outcome.

METHODS

This is a prospective randomised controlled trial. Patients requiring NGT reinsertion were randomised to receive treatment by either nurse initiated reinsertion of NGT (NIRNGT) or the standard NGT insertion protocol. Questionnaires were given to both groups of patients, relatives and ED nurses afterwards. Outcome measures included door-to-treatment time, total length of stay (LoS) in the ED and the satisfaction of patients, relatives and nurses.

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients were recruited to the study and randomised: 12 in the standard NGT insertion protocol and 10 in the NIRNGT protocol. The door-to-treatment time of the NIRNGT group (mean=45.6 min) was significantly shorter than the standard NGT insertion group (mean=123.08 min; p=0.003). No statistically significant difference was detected between the total ED LoS (p=0.575). Patients, relatives and nurses were generally satisfied with the new treatment protocol.

CONCLUSION

Patients can undergo NGT reinsertion significantly faster by adopting a nurse initiated reinsertion of NGT (NIRNGT) protocol.

Prophylactic percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in head and neck cancer patients: results of tertiary institute

To evaluate the use and complications of a prophylactic percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in head and cancer patients in our institute. A retrospective study of 194 consecutive patients with a newly diagnosed upper aero digestive tract malignancy who underwent mainly prophylactic PEG tube placement. The procedure is relatively safe: 15 (7.7%) of the complications were considered serious; no deaths occurred. Of the patients 23 (12.5%) did not use the PEG tube at all, but it was not possible to single out a group of patients in which this could be predicted. The majority of the patients were considered to benefit from the prophylactic PEG insertion.

Dysphagia and associated respiratory considerations in cervical spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND

Dysphagia is a relatively common secondary complication that occurs after acute cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). The detrimental consequences of dysphagia in SCI include transient hypoxemia, chemical pneumonitis, atelectasis, bronchospasm, and pneumonia. The expedient diagnosis of dysphagia is imperative to reduce the risk of the development of life-threatening complications.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for dysphagia after SCI and associated respiratory considerations in acute cervical SCI.

METHODS

Bedside swallow evaluation (BSE) was conducted in 68 individuals with acute cervical SCI who were admitted to an SCI specialty unit. Videofluroscopy swallow study was conducted within 72 hours of BSE when possible.

RESULTS

This prospective study found dysphagia in 30.9% (21 out of 68) of individuals with acute cervical SCI. Tracheostomy (P = .028), ventilator use (P = .012), and nasogastric tube (P = .049) were found to be significant associated factors for dysphagia. Furthermore, individuals with dysphagia had statistically higher occurrences of pneumonia when compared with persons without dysphagia (P < .001). There was also a trend for individuals with dysphagia to have longer length of stay (P = .087).

CONCLUSION

The role of respiratory care practitioners in the care of individuals with SCI who have dysphagia needs to be recognized. Aggressive respiratory care enables individuals with potential dysphagia to be evaluated by a speech pathologist in a timely manner. Early evaluation and intervention for dysphagia could decrease morbidity and improve overall clinical outcomes.

Risk factors for complications and mortality of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: a multicenter, retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is performed to provide nutrition to patients with swallowing difficulties. A multicenter study was conducted to evaluate the predictors of complications and mortality after PEG placement.

METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent initial PEG placement between January 2004 and December 2011 at seven tertiary hospitals in the Republic of Korea.

RESULTS

All 1,625 patients underwent PEG placement by the pull-string method. The median age of the patients was 66 years, and 1,108 of the patients were men. The median follow-up period was 254 days. The common indications were stroke (31.6%) and malignancy (18.9%). The complication rate was 13.2%. The prophylactic use of antibiotics (odds ratio [OR], 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38-0.88; p = 0.010) reduced the PEG-related infection rate, but the actual usage rate was 81.1%. The use of anticoagulants (OR, 7.26; 95% CI, 2.23-23.68; p = 0.001) and the presence of diabetes mellitus (OR, 4.02; 95% CI, 1.49-10.87; p = 0.006) increased the risk of bleeding, but antiplatelet therapy did not. The procedural, 30-day, and overall mortality rates were 0.2, 2.4 and 14.0%, respectively. Serum albumin levels lower than 31.5 g/L (OR, 8.55; 95% CI, 3.11-23.45; p < 0.001) and C-reactive protein levels higher than 21.5 mg/L (OR, 3.01; 95% CI, 1.27-7.16; p = 0.012) increased the risk of 30-day mortality, and the patients who had both risk factors had a significantly shorter median survival time than those who did not (1,740 vs 3,181 days) (p < 0.001, log-rank).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings showed PEG to be a safe and feasible procedure, but the patient's nutritional and inflammatory status should be considered in predicting the outcomes of PEG placement.