Clinical outcome of long-term home parenteral nutrition in non-oncological patients: a report from two specialised centres

Mortality and parenteral nutrition weaning in patients with chronic intestinal failure on home parenteral nutrition: A 30-year retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is the standard treatment for patients with chronic intestinal failure (CIF). Mortality and weaning rates of these patients differ widely among cohorts; however, these outcomes were often considered independent-rather than competing-events, leading to an upward bias of the retrieved estimates.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate, evaluating through a competing risk analysis, the rates and predictors of mortality and weaning in CIF patients from an Italian referral center.

METHODS

All adult patients with CIF receiving > 3 mo HPN from 1985 until 2016 were enrolled. Clinical information was collected from the database of the Intestinal Failure Unit of Torino, Italy. Patients were stratified according to the presence or not of short bowel syndrome (SBS).

RESULTS

The cumulative incidences of death and weaning were 27.3% and 32.3% and 39.0% and 33.7% at 5 and 10 y from HPN initiation, respectively. At multivariable competing risk analyses, mortality was predicted by age (sub-distribution hazard ratio [SHR] = 1.65 per 10-y increase; 95% CI, 1.35-2.01), type 3 SBS (SHR = 0.38; 0.15-0.94), small bowel length ≥ 100 cm (SHR = 0.42; 0.22-0.83), and reconstructive surgery (SHR = 0.11; 0.02-0.64) in SBS patients, and by age (SHR = 1.38 per 10-y increase; 1.16-1.64) and presence of stoma (SHR = 0.30; 0.12-0.78) in non-SBS patients. In the same model, weaning was predicted by type 3 SBS (SHR = 6.86; 3.10-15.16), small bowel length ≥ 100 cm (SHR = 3.54; 1.99-6.30), and reconstructive surgery (SHR = 2.86; 1.44-5.71) in SBS patients, and by age (SHR = 0.79 per 10-y increase; 0.66-0.94) and presence of stoma (SHR = 2.64; 1.38-5.07) in non-SBS patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical procedures strongly affected mortality and weaning risk in CIF patients.

Outcome of adult patients receiving parenteral support at home: 36 years' experience at a tertiary referral centre

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Patients with intestinal failure often need long-term home parenteral support (PS). We aimed to determine how the underlying diagnosis, complications and survival had changed over the last 36 years in the UK's largest IF centre.

METHODS

978 adult home PS patient records were analysed from January 1979 until October 2016. The age, sex, underlying aetiology, complications and survival was compared over 5-year periods.

RESULTS

Pre-1990 to 2011-2016, numbers increased from 29 to 451, the mean age of patients increased from 31 ± 16.5 to 52 ± 17.6 years. The percentage of patients with IF due to surgical complications increased (3.4%-28.8%, p < 0.001)), while those with inflammatory bowel disease decreased (37.9%-22.6%, p < 0.001). Complication of home PS reduced: catheter related blood stream infections (CRBSI) 71.4% to 42,2%, CVC thrombosis 34.5%-5.3%. Intestinal failure associated liver disease (IFLAD) 10.3%-1.8%. Patients with dysmotility, scleroderma and a congenital aetiology had the highest incidence of CRBSI and CVC Thrombosis. Overall survival was greater pre-1995 [HR 0.2-0.4 (p = 0.02)] most likely associated with an increase in mean age. Survival for patients without malignancy was 90%, 66%, 55%, 45%, 33% and 25% at 1,5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 years respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated a relationship between survival and age of starting home PS; type of home PS; presence or absence of the colon in continuity; and underlying aetiology.

CONCLUSION

Demand for home PS is increasing in particular for advanced malignancy, post-surgical complications and older more co-morbid patients. Complications of home PS are reducing over the last 30 years and 10-year survival for non-malignant aetiologies improving. Survival and changes in aetiology in intestinal failure.

Incidence and Prevalence of Infectious Diseases and Their Risk Factors among Patients Who Use Visiting Nursing Services in Japan

This study aimed to clarify the incidence of infectious diseases and the associated risk factors among patients who use visiting nursing services in Japan. We conducted a one-year follow up cohort study with 419 participants. The incidence and period prevalence rate of infectious diseases were 0.63 and 15.0%, respectively. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, the presence of chronic respiratory failure, Parkinson's disease, dermatosis other than pressure ulcers, and the inability to perform oral self-care were significantly related to the contraction of an infectious disease.

Differences in methodology impact estimates of survival and dependence on home parenteral support of patients with nonmalignant short bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND

In patients with intestinal failure (IF), who are receiving home parenteral support (HPS), variations between centers in estimates of survival and HPS dependency often reflect differences in population characteristics. However, variations in methodology and adherence to model assumptions may further contribute.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated how differences in methodology affect estimates of outcomes in IF patients.

METHODS

We applied different model assumptions and statistical methods to real-life outcome data from a well-characterized cohort of nonmalignant short bowel syndrome (SBS) patients. This retrospective study was based on extracts from the Copenhagen IF database and from the Danish death registry.

RESULTS

Estimates of mortality varied substantially, depending on the study design and statistical method. The 5-y mortality rate obtained with the Kaplan-Meier (KM) method was estimated to be 10.1% higher if patients were only followed during HPS treatment, compared with follow-up regardless of HPS treatment. The 5-y cumulative incidence of weaning off HPS was overestimated by 4.4% when inappropriately using the KM method, instead of the cumulative incidence function. The 5-y survival rates in nonmalignant SBS-IF patients who initiated HPS were 89.1% for those aged younger than 40 y, 74.8% for patients aged 40-60 y, and 52.1% for those older than 60 y. A Cox regression analysis identified age and diagnoses other than inflammatory bowel disease as significant risk factors for mortality. For HPS dependency, bowel anatomy was significantly associated with the ability to wean off, and no patients without a colon and less than 100 cm remnant of the small bowel remained continuously weaned off and alive for one year.

CONCLUSIONS

The large variations in outcomes illustrated in this study emphasize the importance of the appropriate selection of statistical methods. A comparison between studies is problematic, due to differences in the methods employed.

Challenges to Delivering Home Parenteral Nutrition in Adult Patients With Limited English Proficiency

Failure to properly administer parenteral nutrition (PN) solutions can have deleterious effects on patients prescribed such therapies. The last few decades have seen diversification of the general population in the United States and elsewhere, with healthcare systems serving an increasing number of non-English-speaking patients and a more ethnically diverse population. Clinicians who provide care to this patient population encounter challenges in ensuring compliance and safe use of PN because of cultural and language barriers. Here we describe our experience of treating patients with limited English proficiency with respect to the barriers that prevent compliant and safe use of PN, especially in those discharged with home PN. We also describe the methods that we use to navigate these common issues to help clinicians provide the safest level of care to patients regardless of the patient's English proficiency.

Survival and CT defined sarcopenia in patients with intestinal failure on home parenteral support

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Sarcopenia occurs in patients with intestinal failure (IF) and has been associated with poorer survival in several chronic diseases. CT can measure sarcopenia through a L3 skeletal muscle index (LSMI). We aim to describe the prevalence of sarcopenia in a section of our IF population using LSMI, & evaluate the effect of home parenteral support (PS) on LSMI & survival. Additionally, we aim to assess any association between LSMI, BMI & other anthropometric measurements.

METHODS

IF patients on PS treated at St Mark's Hospital between 1/1/2006-1/10/2016 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Patients were included if they were on PS & had 2 CTs: the first ≤30 days before start of HPN (pre-PS); the second ≥100 days from PS start (post-PS). Patient records were reviewed to obtain clinical & demographic information & date of death. Anthropometric measurements & BMI contemporaneous to CT scans were recorded.

RESULTS

64 patients met inclusion criteria (M:F 1:1). 83% of our cohort had LSMI below previously published thresholds for sarcopenia. Mean (SD) pre-PS LSMI was 36.5 (6.8)cm²/m². Mean BMI pre-PS was 22.1 (4.8) kg/m². Both BMI (22.1 kg/m² to 23.5 kg/m²) p < 0.001) & LSMI (36.5 cm²/m² to 38.4 cm²/m²) (p = 0.003) increased post-PS. A positive correlation was seen between BMI & LSMI pre (r = 0.47 p < 0.001) & post-PS (r = 0.37 p = 0.003). No correlation was seen between LSMI & anthropometric measurements pre-PS (p = 0.78) or post-PS (p = 0.96). 11 (17%) patients died during the study period; a low LSMI pre-PS was not a risk factor for mortality (HR 0.97 p = 0.55).

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to look at sarcopenia & survival using CT defined LSMI (CT-LSMI) in the IF population. 83% of our cohort had a pre-PS LSMI below previously published thresholds, yet we found no relationship between lower baseline LSMI & survival. This may reflect the heterogeneity of the prognoses of the IF population, or that parenteral nutrition itself affects survival. Our study showed that LSMI & BMI improved following PS but demonstrated that other anthropometric measurements had poor correlation with LSMI & showed no significant improvement overall after PS, confirming the known problems of inter-operator & patient variability of these measurements. Whilst we found significant correlation between LSMI & BMI, BMI significantly underestimated the presence & degree of sarcopenia. LSMI has the potential to provide an objective & reproducible measure of sarcopenia in IF. Future larger studies should be performed to evaluate associations with patient outcomes & utility in clinical decision making.

Home Parenteral Nutrition in Patients with Intestinal Failure: Possible Undetected Complications

Background: Septic pulmonary embolism (SPE) may be a frequently undetected complication of central venous catheter (CVC)-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). Materials and Methods: The incidence of SPE was evaluated in a cohort of non-oncological patients on home parenteral nutrition (HPN) who were hospitalized for a CRBSI from January 2013 to December 2017. The main clinical, microbiological, and radiological features and the therapeutic approach were also described. Results: Twenty-three infections over 51,563 days of HPN therapy were observed, corresponding to an infection rate of 0.45/1000. In 10 out of the 23 cases (43.5%), pulmonary lesions compatible with SPE were identified. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that a CRBSI can produce asymptomatic SPE with lung infiltrates in 43.5% of the cases, suggesting the need to check for secondary lung infections to choose the most appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

Intestinal failure: a review

Intestinal failure (IF) is the inability of the gut to absorb necessary water, macronutrients (carbohydrate, protein, and fat), micronutrients, and electrolytes sufficient to sustain life and requiring intravenous supplementation or replacement. Acute IF (types 1 and 2) is the initial phase of the illness and may last for weeks to a few months, and chronic IF (type 3) from months to years. The challenge of caring for patients with IF is not merely the management of the underlying condition leading to IF or the correct provision of appropriate nutrition or both but also the prevention of complications, whether thromboembolic phenomenon (for example, venous occlusion), central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection, IF-associated liver disease, or metabolic bone disease. This review looks at recent questions regarding chronic IF (type 3), its diagnosis and management, the role of the multidisciplinary team, and novel therapies, including hormonal treatment for short bowel syndrome but also surgical options for intestinal lengthening and intestinal transplant.

Catheter-related complications in long-term home parenteral nutrition patients with chronic intestinal failure

BACKGROUND

Home Parenteral Nutrition is a therapeutic option to improve quality of life in chronic intestinal failure.

AIMS

To describe frequency of complications both in cancer and noncancer patients.

METHODS

This study was performed on 270 adult patients (52% with cancer, 48% without cancer) followed for a total of 371 years of treatment. Mean duration of therapy was 191±181 for cancer and 830±1168 days/patient for noncancer. The treatment was administered by a competent, dedicated provider. Patients received our prescribed "all-in-one admixtures" at their homes.

RESULTS

Catheter-related complications/1000-days-catheter was 1.40; mechanical complications were comparable in cancer (0.82) and noncancer (0.91) patients while a statistically significant difference was observed between cancer (0.71) and noncancer (0.46) patients for sepsis. Bacterial infections were more frequent in noncancer, mycotic infections primarily affected cancer patients. In our experience 49% of the patients were readmitted, with a low incidence rate of 0.89/1000 days-catheter. The incidence of hepatobiliary complications in our population was 65%. The degree of liver damage was related to short bowel syndrome and to length of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that cancer patients are more vulnerable to CVC-related infections during Home Parenteral Nutrition and that a safer Home Parenteral Nutrition protocol should be adopted in order to contain CVC-related complications.

Risk factors for the development of catheter-related bloodstream infections in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition

BACKGROUND

Risk factors for development of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) were studied in 125 adults and 18 children who received home parenteral nutrition (HPN).

METHODS

Medical records from a national home care pharmacy were reviewed for all patients that had HPN infused at least twice weekly for a minimum of two years from January 1, 2006-December 31, 2011. Infection and risk factor data were collected during this time period on all patients although those patients who received HPN for a longer period had data collected since initiation of HPN.

RESULTS

In adults, 331 central venous catheters (CVCs) were placed. Total catheter years were 1157. Median CVC dwell time was 730 days. In children, there were 53 CVCs placed. Total catheter years were 113.1. Median CVC dwell time was 515 days. There were 147 CRBSIs (0.13/catheter year;0.35/1000 catheter days). In children there were 33 CRBSIs (0.29/catheter year;0.80/1000 days; P < .001 versus adults). In adults, univariate analysis showed use of subcutaneous infusion ports instead of tunneled catheters (P = .001), multiple lumen catheters (P = .001), increased frequency of lipid emulsion infusion (P = .001), obtaining blood from the CVC (P < 0.001), and infusion of non-PN medications via the CVC (P < .001) were significant risk factors for CRBSI. Increased PN frequency was associated with increased risk of CRBSI (P = .001) in children, but not in adults. Catheter disinfection with povidone-iodine was more effective than isopropyl alcohol alone. There were insufficient patients to evaluate chlorhexidine-containing regimens.

CONCLUSION

Numerous risk factors for CRBSI were identified for which simple and current countermeasures already exist.

Etiology and epidemiology of catheter related bloodstream infections in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition in a gastromedical center at a tertiary hospital in denmark

We conducted a retrospective epidemiologic study of catheter related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) in patients receiving long-term home parenteral nutrition (HPN) from January 2002 to December 2005. Our results showed that coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) were the most prevalent pathogens (44.7% of all CRBSI episodes), followed by Enterobacteriaceae (33.2%). Prevalence for candidemia and Enterococcus bacteremia was relatively high (14.4% and 10.8%, respectively). Cefuroxime resistance was observed in 65.4% CoNS and 31.5% Enterobacteriaceae. Based on the results from the study, a new empiric antimicrobial treatment regiment was suggested.

Epidemiology of catheter-related infections in adult patients receiving home parenteral nutrition: a systematic review

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Catheter-related infection (CRI) is the most common and serious complication for adult patients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN). Our aim is to provide epidemiological data on infection incidence, infecting pathogens and contributing risk factors.

METHODS

Four electronic databases (Embase, Medline, IPA, CINAHL) were screened for eligible studies published between 1970 and March 2012. Methodological quality was evaluated and terminology/definitions were re-categorized.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine studies were included. Extensive variability was observed in terminology/definitions as well as in expression of CRI rate. After correct interpretation of definitions, overall catheter-related bloodstream infection rate (CRBSI) ranged between 0.38 and 4.58 episodes/1000 catheter days (median 1.31). Gram-positive bacteria of human skin flora caused more than half of infections. An analysis of the reported risk factors showed that the origin of a CRBSI is often multifactorial. The risk factors were related to the patient, the venous access device, the education, HPN therapy and follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

This review on CRI in adult HPN patients revealed that included studies are of low quality and used poorly described risk factors and different definitions. The human skin flora caused most of infections; therefore, hand hygiene and training remain essential.

Malnutrition in systemic sclerosis

SSc is a chronic multi-system disease with wide-reaching consequences. Gastrointestinal features are present in over 90% of cases and these, together with other disease manifestations, may lead to nutritional decline. This produces substantial morbidity, including reliance on enteral support and even parenteral nutrition-dependent intestinal failure. These complications carry an associated mortality. Up to 18% of patients with SSc are reported to be at high risk of malnutrition [as assessed by Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) criteria], with risk increasing with disease severity. Little is known about this decline, its rate of progression and how it affects the individual. Few case series report on nutritional interventions. Most current interventions are based on experience in other diseases. The development of specialist knowledge of SSc-related gastrointestinal disease management and nutritional screening and interventions is required. This paper reviews current knowledge relating to malnutrition and its management in SSc.

Outcome on home parenteral nutrition for benign intestinal failure: a review of the literature and benchmarking with the European prospective survey of ESPEN

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Indications and timing for referral for intestinal transplantation (ITx) were investigated through a review of the literature on home parenteral nutrition (HPN) for benign intestinal failure and a benchmarking to the results of a prospective European survey which evaluated the appropriateness of the current indications for ITx.

METHODS

Manuscripts reporting outcomes of adults and children on HPN were retrieved through a PubMed search. Data from the European survey were compared with those on HPN reported in the literature, and with those on ITx reported by the USA registry and by the Pittsburgh center.

RESULTS

HPN is a safe treatment with a high probability of survival. The risk of death during HPN is increased by the absence of a specialist team, and appears greater during the early period of treatment. Survival probability is decreased in patients with: age >40 or <2 years, very short bowel remnant, presence of a stoma, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction of myopathic origin, systemic sclerosis, radiation enteritis, intra-abdominal desmoids, necrotizing enterocolitis, congenital mucosal diseases. Liver failure is the HPN-related complication with the greatest risk of death. Death related to venous catheter complications is rare. The benchmarking supported the results of the European survey.

Hypocaloric home parenteral nutrition and nutrition parameters in patients following bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND

Surgical intervention is considered an acceptable treatment for morbid obesity. Complications following bariatric surgery procedures (BSPs) may necessitate home parenteral nutrition (HPN). No studies have been published on patients receiving HPN following BSP complications. The study aim was to determine if hypocaloric HPN has an effect on body mass index (BMI), albumin, and HPN complications.

METHODS

A historic cohort of patients was identified from a clinical database. Obese patients (BMI ≥35 kg/m(2)) who underwent BSP and received HPN for an anastomotic leak/fistula or bowel obstruction were included. Comparisons for start and end of therapy were made for calorie and protein intake, BMI, white blood cell count, and serum albumin level. Readmissions and metabolic and infectious complications were recorded. Obese patients received hypocaloric feeds to promote weight loss and protein for wound healing.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients were included for an average study length of 1.5 months. Patients received an average of 1.2 g of protein and a median of 13.6 kcal per kg actual body weight (ABW) per day. BMI decreased by 7.1% ± 5.2%, from a median of 39.8 to 37.1, and serum albumin increased by 12.5%, from 2.8 ± 0.5 to 3.2 ± 0.6 g/dL. Readmissions occurred in 52.2% of patients with 40.0% of complications related to HPN.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypocaloric HPN is efficacious in maintaining adequate nutrition while allowing for weight loss in morbidly obese patients following complications of bariatric surgery. Frequency of HPN complications was comparable to those reported in the literature.

Central venous catheter infections and antibiotic therapy during long-term home parenteral nutrition: an 11-year follow-up study

BACKGROUND

Catheter-related bloodstream infections are a serious and common complication in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN).

METHODS

Prevalence of infections, type of agents, and effectiveness of antibiotic therapy were evaluated in 296 patients (133 males, 163 females; mean age 58.2 +/- 13.5 years) receiving HPN for at least 3 months, from January 1995 to December 2006. Patients underwent 99,969 (331 +/- 552; minimum 91, maximum 4353) days of catheterization, corresponding to 93,236 (311 +/- 489; minimum 52, maximum 4353) days of HPN.

RESULTS

Fifty-two patients (24 males and 28 females; 35 oncological and 17 nononcological) were diagnosed with 169 infections. The overall corresponding infection rate was 2.0 per 1000 days of catheterization, with a progressive, regular decrease with time. In 30 cases, immediate central venous catheter removal was necessary. Infections were eradicated in 103 of 139 (74%) cases. As to the most common causative agent, 86 (51%) infections were due to Staphylococcus epidermidis. Of these, 64 were treated from 1995 to 2004, 57 of them (89%) successfully; 22 were treated from 2005 onward, only 7 of them (32%) successfully.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the global infection rate has progressively decreased over the years, S epidermidis has shown an alarming increase in resistance to antibiotic treatment in the last 2 years, suggesting the need for strategies to prevent central venous catheter infection.

The effect of enteral and parenteral feeding on secretion of orexigenic peptides in infants

Background

The feeding in the first months of the life seems to influence the risks of obesity and affinity to some diseases including atherosclerosis. The mechanisms of these relations are unknown, however, the modification of hormonal action can likely be taken into account. Therefore, in this study the levels of ghrelin and orexin A - peripheral and central peptide from the orexigenic gut-brain axis were determined.

Methods

Fasting and one hour after the meal plasma concentrations of ghrelin and orexin were measured in breast-fed (group I; n = 17), milk formula-fed (group II; n = 16) and highly hydrolyzed, hypoallergic formula-fed (group III; n = 14) groups, age matched infants (mean 4 months) as well as in children with iv provision of nutrients (glucose - group IV; n = 15; total parenteral nutrition - group V; n = 14). Peptides were determined using EIA commercial kits.

Results

Despite the similar caloric intake in orally fed children the fasting ghrelin and orexin levels were significantly lower in the breast-fed children (0.37 ± 0.17 and 1.24 ± 0.29 ng/ml, respectively) than in the remaining groups (0.5 ± 0.27 and 1.64 ± 0.52 ng/ml, respectively in group II and 0.77 ± 0.27 and 2.04 ± 1.1 ng/ml, respectively, in group III). The postprandial concentrations of ghrelin increased to 0.87 ± 0.29 ng/ml, p < 0.002 and 0.76 ± 0.26 ng/ml, p < 0.01 in groups I and II, respectively as compared to fasting values. The decrease in concentration of ghrelin after the meal was observed only in group III (0.47 ± 0.24 ng/ml). The feeding did not influence the orexin concentration. In groups IV and V the ghrelin and orexin levels resembled those in milk formula-fed children.

Conclusion

The highly hydrolyzed diet strongly affects fasting and postprandial ghrelin and orexin plasma concentrations with possible negative effect on short- and long-time effects on development. Also total parenteral nutrition with the continuous stimulation and lack of fasting/postprandial modulation might be responsible for disturbed development in children fed this way.

Home parenteral nutrition. May it be performed in Hungary, too?

A bélelégtelenségben szenvedő betegek az 1960-as évek vége óta részesülhetnek tartós otthoni parenteralis táplálásban a világ számos országában. Hazánkban a jelenleg is érvényben lévő jogi szabályozás és finanszírozási rendszer a bélelégtelenségben szenvedő, de családi körben élni tudó, sőt megfelelő körülmények között akár munkaképes betegeknek ez az ellátása kizárólag fekvőbeteg-ellátási körben lehetséges. A rendszer ezért rendkívül gazdaságtalan, szükségtelenül foglal le kórházi ágyakat, és ellentétes az európai gyakorlattal. Az elmúlt évek publikációi alapján a szerzők áttekintik a tartós otthoni parenteralis táplálásban részesülő betegek várható élettartamát, életminőségét, a parenteralis tápláláshoz kapcsolódó szövődményeket, illetve a világszerte alkalmazott rendszereket. A tartós táplálás költségeit a nemzetközi adatok alapján magyar viszonyokra vetítve becsülik meg. Az otthoni parenteralis tápláláshoz szükséges szaktudás Magyarországon is maradéktalanul rendelkezésre áll; a szükséges készítmények, technikai felszerelések a magyar piacon is hozzáférhetők. A táplálásterápia iránt elkötelezett hazai szakemberek ezért hivatalos szakmaközi együttműködést kezdeményeztek a tartós otthoni parenteralis táplálás eddig mostohán kezelt kérdésének rendezése érdekében, a rutinszerű otthoni parenteralis táplálás rendszerének kialakítására.