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Robison RD, Patel S, Bunker J, Rudolph JL, Teno JM, Rogus-Pulia N. Pre-hospitalization dysphagia and feeding tube placement in nursing home residents with advanced dementia. J Am Geriatr Soc 2024; 72:778-790. [PMID: 38156795 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.18729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite research demonstrating the risks of using feeding tubes in persons with advanced dementia, they continue to be placed. The natural history of dysphagia among patients with advanced dementia has not been examined. We conducted a secondary analysis of a national cohort of persons with advanced dementia staying at a nursing home stay before hospitalization to examine (1) pre-hospitalization dysphagia prevalence and (2) risk of feeding tube placement during hospitalization based on preexisting dysphagia. METHODS A retrospective cohort study consisting of all nursing home (NH) residents (≥66 years) with advanced dementia (Cognitive Function Scale score ≥2), a hospitalization between 2013-2017, and a Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 assessment within 120 days before hospitalization. Pre-hospitalization dysphagia status and surgically placed feeding tube insertion during hospitalization were determined by MDS 3.0 swallowing items and ICD-9 codes, respectively. A multivariate logistic model clustering on hospital was used to examine the association of dysphagia with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding tube placement after adjustment for confounders. RESULTS Between 2013 and 2017, 889,983 persons with NH stay with advanced dementia (mean age: 84.5, SD: 7.5, and 63.5% female) were hospitalized. Pre-hospitalization dysphagia was documented in 5.4% (n = 47,574) and characterized by oral dysphagia (n = 21,438, 2.4%), pharyngeal dysphagia (n = 24,257, 2.7%), and general swallowing complaints/pain (n = 14,928, 1.7%). Overall, PEG feeding tubes were placed in 3529 patients (11.2%) with pre-hospitalization dysphagia, whereas 27,893 (88.8%) did not have pre-hospitalization dysphagia according to MDS 3.0 items. Feeding tube placement risk increased with the number of dysphagia items noted on the pre-hospitalization MDS (6 vs. 0 dysphagia variables: OR = 5.43, 95% CI: 3.19-9.27). CONCLUSIONS Based on MDS 3.0 assessment, only 11% of PEG feeding tubes were inserted in persons with prior dysphagia. Future research is needed on whether this represents inadequate assessment or the impact of potentially reversible intercurrent illness resulting in feeding tube placement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raele Donetha Robison
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH), Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Center for Health Disparities Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Sweta Patel
- School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Jennifer Bunker
- School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - James L Rudolph
- Center of Innovation in Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS-COIN), Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Joan M Teno
- School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Nicole Rogus-Pulia
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH), Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Center for Health Disparities Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Hochwald IH, Yakov G, Radomyslsky Z, Danon Y, Nissanholtz-Gannot R. Ethical challenges in end-stage dementia: Perspectives of professionals and family care-givers. Nurs Ethics 2021; 28:1228-1243. [PMID: 34112013 PMCID: PMC8637375 DOI: 10.1177/0969733021999748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Israel, caring for people with end-stage dementia confined to home is mainly done by home care units, and in some cases by home hospice units, an alternative palliative-care service. Because life expectancy is relatively unknown, and the patient's decision-making ability is poor, caring for this unique population raises ethical dilemmas regarding when to define the disease as having reached a terminal stage, as well as choosing between palliative and life-prolonging-oriented care. OBJECTIVES Exploring and describing differences and similarities of professional staff members' (PSMs') and family caregivers' perceptions of caring for people with end-stage dementia in two different settings. DESIGN Qualitative research, using semi-structured interviews analyzed through a thematic content-analysis approach. PARTICIPANTS Sixty-four interviews were conducted (24 PSMs and 40 family caregivers) in two care-settings-home hospice unit and home care unit. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS The study was approved by the Ethics Committee (BBL00118-17). FINDINGS We found dilemmas regarding palliative care to be the main theme, including definition of the disease as terminal, choosing "comfort" over "life-prolonging," clarifying patients' wishes and deciding whether or not to use artificial feeding. DISCUSSION Both PSMs and family caregivers deal with ethical dilemmas and have reached different conclusions, both legitimate. Comprehending dementia as a terminal disease influenced participants' perceptions of the relevancy of palliative care for people with end-stage dementia. Discrepancies between PSMs and family caregivers in caring for people with end-stage dementia were found in both home hospice unit and home care unit environments, raising potential conflicts regarding decisions for end-of-life care. CONCLUSIONS Communication between PSMs and family caregivers is crucial for the discussion about the discrepancies regarding the unique dilemmas of caring for people with end-stage dementia and bridging the gap between them. Lack of communication and resources can hamper the provision of an acceptable solution for quality and equality of care in the best interest of people with end-stage dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gila Yakov
- Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, Israel
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Davies N, Barrado-Martín Y, Vickerstaff V, Rait G, Fukui A, Candy B, Smith CH, Manthorpe J, Moore KJ, Sampson EL. Enteral tube feeding for people with severe dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021; 8:CD013503. [PMID: 34387363 PMCID: PMC8407048 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013503.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The balance of benefits and harms associated with enteral tube feeding for people with severe dementia is not clear. An increasing number of guidelines highlight the lack of evidenced benefit and potential risks of enteral tube feeding. In some areas of the world, the use of enteral tube feeding is decreasing, and in other areas it is increasing. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness and safety of enteral tube feeding for people with severe dementia who develop problems with eating and swallowing or who have reduced food and fluid intake. SEARCH METHODS We searched ALOIS, the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group's register, MEDLINE, Embase, four other databases and two trials registers on 14 April 2021. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), or controlled non-randomised studies. Our population of interest was adults of any age with a diagnosis of primary degenerative dementia of any cause, with severe cognitive and functional impairment, and poor nutritional intake. Eligible studies evaluated the effectiveness and complications of enteral tube feeding via a nasogastric or gastrostomy tube, or via jejunal post-pyloric feeding, in comparison with standard care or enhanced standard care, such as an intervention to promote oral intake. Our primary outcomes were survival time, quality of life, and pressure ulcers. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Three review authors screened citations and two review authors assessed full texts of potentially eligible studies against inclusion criteria. One review author extracted data, which were then checked independently by a second review author. We used the 'Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies of Interventions' (ROBINS-I) tool to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. Risk of confounding was assessed against a pre-agreed list of key potential confounding variables. Our primary outcomes were survival time, quality of life, and pressure ulcers. Results were not suitable for meta-analysis, so we presented them narratively. We presented results separately for studies of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding, nasogastric tube feeding and studies using mixed or unspecified enteral tube feeding methods. We used GRADE methods to assess the overall certainty of the evidence related to each outcome for each study. MAIN RESULTS We found no eligible RCTs. We included fourteen controlled, non-randomised studies. All the included studies compared outcomes between groups of people who had been assigned to enteral tube feeding or oral feeding by prior decision of a healthcare professional. Some studies controlled for a range of confounding factors, but there were high or very high risks of bias due to confounding in all studies, and high or critical risks of selection bias in some studies. Four studies with 36,816 participants assessed the effect of PEG feeding on survival time. None found any evidence of effects on survival time (low-certainty evidence). Three of four studies using mixed or unspecified enteral tube feeding methods in 310 participants (227 enteral tube feeding, 83 no enteral tube feeding) found them to be associated with longer survival time. The fourth study (1386 participants: 135 enteral tube feeding, 1251 no enteral tube feeding) found no evidence of an effect. The certainty of this body of evidence is very low. One study of PEG feeding (4421 participants: 1585 PEG, 2836 no enteral tube feeding) found PEG feeding increased the risk of pressure ulcers (moderate-certainty evidence). Two of three studies reported an increase in the number of pressure ulcers in those receiving mixed or unspecified enteral tube feeding (234 participants: 88 enteral tube feeding, 146 no enteral tube feeding). The third study found no effect (very-low certainty evidence). Two studies of nasogastric tube feeding did not report data on survival time or pressure ulcers. None of the included studies assessed quality of life. Only one study, using mixed methods of enteral tube feeding, reported on pain and comfort, finding no difference between groups. In the same study, a higher proportion of carers reported very heavy burden in the enteral tube feeding group compared to no enteral tube feeding. Two studies assessed the effect of nasogastric tube feeding on mortality (236 participants: 144 nasogastric group, 92 no enteral tube feeding). One study of 67 participants (14 nasogastric, 53 no enteral tube feeding) found nasogastric feeding was associated with increased mortality risk. The second study found no difference in mortality between groups. The certainty of this evidence is very low. Results on mortality for those using PEG or mixed methods of enteral tube feeding were mixed and the certainty of evidence was very low. There was some evidence from two studies for enteral tube feeding improving nutritional parameters, but this was very low-certainty evidence. Five studies reported a variety of harm-related outcomes with inconsistent results. The balance of evidence suggested increased risk of pneumonia with enteral tube feeding. None of the included studies assessed behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence that tube feeding improves survival; improves quality of life; reduces pain; reduces mortality; decreases behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia; leads to better nourishment; improves family or carer outcomes such as depression, anxiety, carer burden, or satisfaction with care; and no indication of harm. We found some evidence that there is a clinically significant risk of pressure ulcers from enteral tube feeding. Future research should focus on better reporting and matching of control and intervention groups, and clearly defined interventions, measuring all the outcomes referred to here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Davies
- Centre for Ageing Population Studies, Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Yolanda Barrado-Martín
- Centre for Ageing Population Studies, Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Victoria Vickerstaff
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Greta Rait
- Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Akiko Fukui
- Medical School, St George's, University of London, London, UK
| | - Bridget Candy
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Christina H Smith
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jill Manthorpe
- NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce, Policy Institute at King's, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Kirsten J Moore
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
- Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration, National Ageing Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Elizabeth L Sampson
- Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
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Nurse and Nursing Students´ Opinions and Perceptions of Enteral Nutrition by Nasogastric Tube in Palliative Care. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13020402. [PMID: 33513972 PMCID: PMC7911468 DOI: 10.3390/nu13020402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
It is widely accepted that nursing staff play a key role in palliative care (PC). The use of Nasogastric tubes (NG tubes) for Enteral Nutrition (EN) administration is still controversial in patients who receive PC. The aim of this study was to describe nurses' and nursing students´ opinions and perceptions about EN using NG tubes in adult patients in palliative care. To achieve this goal, a cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out. A self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire intended for nurses and nursing students was used. Data was descriptively and inferentially analyzed using a chi-square test to determine the differential frequency of responses. In addition, a multivariate logistic regression model was also conducted. A total of 511 participants completed the questionnaire. Among them, nursing staff represented 74.9% (n = 383) whereas nursing students were 25.1% (n = 128). When life expectancy was above six months, 90.0% (n = 460) reported that EN using NG should be implemented. In contrast, when life expectancy is less than a month, 57.5% (n = 294) discouraged it. Significant differences within groups were found when life expectancy was <1 month (p = 0.044). It was also found that 491 participants (96.1%) reported that patient´s autonomy must be carefully respected for deciding whether continuing EN by NG tube or not. Finally, it was concluded for both nurses and nursing students that life expectancy should be the mean reason for implementing and withdrawing EN by NG tube. Major differences were found regarding when it should be ceased, suggesting perceptions may change as nurses graduate and move into their professional roles.
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Quinn KL, Grossman DL. At the crossroads of religion and palliative care in patients with dementia. Isr J Health Policy Res 2020; 9:43. [PMID: 32831132 PMCID: PMC7446053 DOI: 10.1186/s13584-020-00401-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The timing of palliative care initiation may be more appropriately directed using a needs-based approach, instead of a prognostically driven one. Jewish Law or Halachah (“the way”) upholds a strong commitment to the sanctity of life and teaches that the duty to prolong life supersedes the duty to end suffering prematurely, unless one is expected to imminently die. This intersection of palliative care and a reliance on prognostic triggers with an individual’s observance of religious traditions complicates matters nearing the end-of-life. A recent pilot study by Sternberg et al. of 20 patients with advanced dementia in Israel found that home hospice care significantly reduced distressing symptoms, caregiver burden and hospitalization and teaches us important lessons about some of the essential elements to providing excellent palliative care at home, including the 24/7 availability of healthcare providers outside of the emergency department. In light of specific religious practices, palliative care should strive to incorporate a patient’s specific religious observance as part of high-quality end-of-life care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran L Quinn
- Department of Medicine, Divisions of General Internal Medicine and Palliative Care, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,Department of Medicine, Sinai Health System and University Health Network, 60 Murray Street, 2nd Floor Room 404, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3L9, Canada. .,Institute for Health Policy Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Daphna L Grossman
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, North York General Hospital, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Family and Community Medicine, Division of Palliative Care, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Orlandoni P, Jukic Peladic N, Cherubini A. Enteral nutrition in advanced dementia: an unresolved dilemma in clinical practice. Eur Geriatr Med 2020; 11:191-194. [DOI: 10.1007/s41999-020-00292-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Tube Feeding in Individuals with Advanced Dementia: A Review of Its Burdens and Perceived Benefits. J Aging Res 2019; 2019:7272067. [PMID: 31929906 PMCID: PMC6942829 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7272067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Dementia remains a growing concern for societies globally, particularly as people now live longer. About 90% of individuals with advanced dementia suffer from eating problems that lead to general health decline and ultimately impacts upon the physical, psychological, and economic wellbeing of the individuals, caregivers, and the wider society. Objective To evaluate the burdens and perceived benefits of tube feeding in individuals with advanced dementia. Design Narrative review. Methods Computerized databases, including PubMed, Embase, Medline, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and Google Scholar were searched from 2000 to 2019 to identify research papers, originally written in or translated into English language, which investigated oral versus tube feeding outcome in individuals with advanced dementia. Results Over 400 articles were retrieved. After quality assessment and careful review of the identified articles, only those that met the inclusion criteria were included for review. Conclusion Tube feeding neither stops dementia disease progression nor prevents imminent death. Each decision for feeding tube placement in individuals with advanced dementia should be made on a case-by-case basis and involve a multidisciplinary team comprising experienced physicians, nurses, family surrogates, and the relevant allied health professionals. Careful considerations of the benefit-harm ratio should be discussed and checked with surrogate families if they would be consistent with the wishes of the demented person. Further research is required to establish whether tube feeding of individuals with advanced dementia provides more burdens than benefits or vice-versa and evaluate the impacts on quality of life and survival.
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Davies N, Barrado-Martin Y, Rait G, Fukui A, Candy B, Smith CH, Manthorpe J, Moore KJ, Vickerstaff V, Sampson EL. Enteral tube feeding for people with severe dementia. Hippokratia 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Davies
- University College London; Centre for Ageing Population Studies, Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health; Rowland Hill Street London UK NW3 2PF
| | - Yolanda Barrado-Martin
- University College London; Centre for Ageing Population Studies, Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health; Rowland Hill Street London UK NW3 2PF
| | - Greta Rait
- University College London; Centre for Ageing Population Studies, Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health; Rowland Hill Street London UK NW3 2PF
| | - Akiko Fukui
- St George's, University of London; Medical School; Cranmer Terrace London UK SW17 0RE
| | - Bridget Candy
- University College London; Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, Division of Psychiatry; 6th Floor, Maple House 149 Tottenham Court Road London UK W1T 7NF
| | - Christina H Smith
- University College London; Division of Psychology and Language Sciences; London UK
| | - Jill Manthorpe
- King's College London; NIHR Health and Social Care Workforce Research Unit, The Policy Institute; Strand London UK WC2 6LB
| | - Kirsten J Moore
- University College London; Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, Division of Psychiatry; 6th Floor, Maple House 149 Tottenham Court Road London UK W1T 7NF
| | - Victoria Vickerstaff
- University College London; Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, Division of Psychiatry; 6th Floor, Maple House 149 Tottenham Court Road London UK W1T 7NF
| | - Elizabeth L Sampson
- University College London; Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, Division of Psychiatry; 6th Floor, Maple House 149 Tottenham Court Road London UK W1T 7NF
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Iturbide-Casas MA, Cámara-Martos F, Molina-Luque R, Molina-Recio G. Survival Analysis of Enterally Fed Patients: Prognosis and Mortality Risk According to Baseline Characteristics. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 2019; 44:1057-1065. [PMID: 31736137 DOI: 10.1002/jpen.1745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Enteral nutrition is widely used. However, its benefits remain unclear in specific conditions like dementia. This study assesses the survival of enterally fed patients and the baseline characteristics associated with higher mortality. METHODS A retrospective analysis of biochemical and clinical data from 377 patients (age 77.5 ± 13.8) who received enteral tube feeding (ETF) at a tertiary hospital in Spain was performed. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regressions were used to analyze survival expectancy and mortality risk (MR). Risk was evaluated for 30/180 days and up to 5 years. RESULTS The most common individual diagnoses leading to ETF prescription were dementia (37.9%) and head/neck/upper-gastrointestinal-tract cancer (17.5%). Comorbidities (high blood pressure [HBP] and/or diabetes) were present in 72.4% of patients. The first 30 days after tube placement showed the highest mortality rate, corresponding to 85.4% of patients that did not continue being tube-fed. Multivariate Cox analysis (P < .05, 95% CI) showed HBP and glycemia to be predictive of overall (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.600; HR = 1.756) and long-term (HR = 3.092; HR = 4.539) death. In the short-term, only glycemia showed an increased MR (HR = 1.572). CONCLUSION This enterally fed population showed a noticeably high initial mortality rate. Despite official recommendations against it, ETF is very common in advanced dementia. Baseline characteristics are useful for identifying patients that would be less benefited by the intervention. Accordingly, families should be informed about realistic outcomes and risks derived from this procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fernando Cámara-Martos
- Departamento de Bromatología y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
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Mohandas N, Kumar R, Leelakrishnan V, Sharma S, Aparanji K. International Survey of Physicians' Perspectives on Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tube Feeding in Patients with Dementia and Review of Literature. Cureus 2019; 11:e4578. [PMID: 31281761 PMCID: PMC6605970 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.4578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube often remains to be used as a primary modality for feeding in patients with advanced dementia, perhaps due to misconceptions regarding the outcomes. Physicians' perceptions regarding the PEG tubes could be a significant contributing factor globally. A multidisciplinary approach involving the ethics committee can help address the issue. Our survey is focused on gauging physicians' perceptions regarding PEG tube utilization and its global impact on outcomes in dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Mohandas
- Gastroenterology, Mid Cheshire Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, Crewe, GBR
| | - Raghu Kumar
- Gastroenterology, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, AUS
| | | | - Sudeep Sharma
- Miscellaneous, University of Illinois, Springfield, USA
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Douglas JW, Lawrence JC, Turner LW, Knol LL, Ellis AC. Practitioner Knowledge, Personal Values, and Work Setting Influence Registered Dietitians' Feeding Tube Recommendations for Patients With Advanced Dementia. Nutr Clin Pract 2019; 35:634-641. [PMID: 30729569 DOI: 10.1002/ncp.10255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current guidelines discourage tube-feeding older adults with advanced dementia (AD), as this practice does not improve nutrition status or survival and decreases quality of life in these patients. Because registered dietitians (RDs) often provide feeding recommendations for patients with AD, this study aimed to identify factors that influenced RDs' feeding tube recommendations for older adults with AD. METHODS A random sample of RDs who work with older adults in the United States completed a validated, electronic survey. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors related to the likelihood of RDs recommending a feeding tube for patients with AD. Independent variables included participant demographics and the 6 subscales of the Attitudes Toward Tube-Feeding in Advanced Dementia Questionnaire, which measured individual and environmental influences on RDs' recommendations. RESULTS Among the 662 RDs who responded, 72.2% were unlikely to recommend a feeding tube in patients with AD, and 15.4% were likely to do so (with the remaining being "neutral"). Factors associated with avoiding recommending a feeding tube include significantly higher total knowledge [odds ratio (OR) = 1.47, 95% CI (1.30, 1.66)] and personal values scores [OR = 7.51, 95% CI (3.96, 14.24)] and employment in long-term care settings [OR 3.29, 95% CI (1.38, 7.80)]. CONCLUSION In this survey, most RDs were likely to make recommendations that are consistent with current guidelines for tube feeding patients with AD. RDs who work outside the long-term care setting may benefit from additional training. Future research is needed to understand how personal values may influence recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy W Douglas
- Department of Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management , Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Jeannine C Lawrence
- Department of Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management , Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Lori W Turner
- Department of Health Science, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Linda L Knol
- Department of Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management , Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Amy C Ellis
- Department of Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management , Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
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