Quality of Life of Children with Short Bowel Syndrome from Patients' and Parents' Points of View

Despite limited research, existing studies using generic quality of life (QOL) tools indicate decreased physical health and compromised emotional functioning in children with IF. This study investigates QOL in children with short bowel syndrome (SBS) and its determinants. The study included 57 pediatric patients with SBS treated at Mannheim's University Hospital between 1998 and 2014. To evaluate QOL, the KINDL questionnaire was used. Three age-specific questionnaire variants were employed, and parental proxy reports were collected. Most patients underwent intestinal lengthening procedures, with varying primary diagnoses. A comparison with healthy children from the patient's perspective revealed no difference but from the parent's perspective showed lower QOL in SBS patients, especially regarding physical and mental well-being. QOL varied with age, with 7-10-year-olds reporting the lowest scores. Several factors, including independence from parenteral nutrition and the presence of a complete colon, positively influenced QOL. The independence of parenteral nutrition and the presence of a complete colon positively influenced QOL. The Bianchi technique for intestinal lengthening has also shown promise but needs further research. The observation sample in this study is too small to generalize about the whole population of SBS patients. However, this study shows that many health and treatment factors affect QOL, and a large multicenter study is necessary. Our findings underline the importance of appropriate psychological support for children with SBS and their families.

The Anxiety Burden in Patients with Chronic Intestinal Failure on Long-Term Parenteral Nutrition and in Their Caregivers

Background and aims: Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is a life-saving treatment for patients affected by chronic intestinal failure (CIF). Both this clinical condition and its therapy require radical lifestyle modifications, affecting life quality and psychological balance in patients as well as family members. Patient psychological burden has rarely been taken into consideration, not to mention that of caregivers. This study aims to evaluate the levels of anxiety in CIF patients on HPN, and their caregivers, consequently determining their impact on the psychological and physical aspects. Methods: After a brief introductory interview, adult patients on HPN for CIF and their caregivers were asked to fill in the HAMA-A questionnaire. Results: Fifty patients and their respective caregivers were enrolled. Mean HAMA-A scores were similar in patients and caregivers and testified the presence of a mild to severe impact of CIF and HPN in both groups, with a significantly higher impact on female patients and caregivers. After adjusting age, education level, duration of CIF and HPN dependence, and degree of kinship, no differences were revealed in the scores. Conclusions: The study confirms that CIF patients on HPN and their caregivers have a significant anxiety burden independently from the duration of the disease, therefore needing appropriate support.

Exploring the impact of pediatric short bowel syndrome on parent well-being using a disease-specific pilot survey

BACKGROUND

Children with short bowel syndrome (SBS) have complex care needs, most of which are met in the home by family caregivers who may experience a range of stressors unique to this experience. Prior research suggests that parents of children with SBS have poorer health-related quality of life than peers parenting children without health needs, but the mechanisms shaping parent outcomes are understudied.

METHODS

A pilot survey was developed using a community-driven research design to measure the impact of disease-specific items on parent-perceived well-being. The cross-sectional survey, which included both closed-ended and open-ended items, was distributed to a convenience sample of parents of children with SBS. Quantitative and qualitative data were integrated for a mixed-methods analysis of how individual items impacted parent well-being.

RESULTS

Twenty parents completed the survey. Sleep interruptions, lack of support and resources, and psychological stressors and their mental health implications were more frequently reported as stressors than logistics related to caregiving (e.g., managing therapies and preparing specialized meals).

CONCLUSION

The impact of a child's SBS on parent well-being may stem mainly from three interconnected domains: poor sleep and its consequences, lack of access to support and resources, and a range of psychological stressors that affect parent mental health. Understanding the mechanisms through which SBS shapes parent well-being is a necessary first step for developing targeted interventions to support parents and provide family-centered care.

ESPEN guideline on chronic intestinal failure in adults - Update 2023

BACKGROUND & AIMS

In 2016, ESPEN published the guideline for Chronic Intestinal Failure (CIF) in adults. An updated version of ESPEN guidelines on CIF due to benign disease in adults was devised in order to incorporate new evidence since the publication of the previous ESPEN guidelines.

METHODS

The grading system of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) was used to grade the literature. Recommendations were graded according to the levels of evidence available as A (strong), B (conditional), 0 (weak) and Good practice points (GPP). The recommendations of the 2016 guideline (graded using the GRADE system) which were still valid, because no studies supporting an update were retrieved, were reworded and re-graded accordingly.

RESULTS

The recommendations of the 2016 guideline were reviewed, particularly focusing on definitions, and new chapters were included to devise recommendations on IF centers, chronic enterocutaneous fistulas, costs of IF, caring for CIF patients during pregnancy, transition of patients from pediatric to adult centers. The new guideline consist of 149 recommendations and 16 statements which were voted for consensus by ESPEN members, online in July 2022 and at conference during the annual Congress in September 2022. The Grade of recommendation is GPP for 96 (64.4%) of the recommendations, 0 for 29 (19.5%), B for 19 (12.7%), and A for only five (3.4%). The grade of consensus is "strong consensus" for 148 (99.3%) and "consensus" for one (0.7%) recommendation. The grade of consensus for the statements is "strong consensus" for 14 (87.5%) and "consensus" for two (12.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

It is confirmed that CIF management requires complex technologies, multidisciplinary and multiprofessional activity, and expertise to care for the underlying gastrointestinal disease and to provide HPN support. Most of the recommendations were graded as GPP, but almost all received a strong consensus.

Oxygen utilisation in patients on prolonged parenteral nutrition; a case-controlled study

BACKGROUND

Parenteral nutrition (PN) deficient in mitochondrial substrates and thiamine may lead to acidosis. This, combined with fatigue seen in patients with intestinal failure (IF), may suggest suboptimal oxidative metabolism. We therefore studied oxygen utilisation in otherwise apparently well-nourished individuals with intestinal failure receiving long term PN.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis conducted in a tertiary IF institution, from 2010 to 2019, comparing treadmill/bicycle cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) derived variables including peak oxygen consumption (VO_{2 peak}), anaerobic threshold (AT) and ventilatory efficiency (minute ventilation (VE)/CO₂ output (VCO₂) of patients with IF (cases) to those without (controls), matched in a 1:2 ratio for age ( ± 3 years), gender, use of beta-blockers and physiology parameters of p-POSSUM score ( ± 5). All subjects were free of sepsis and metastatic malignancy. Mann-Whitney or Student's t-test for continuous and Fisher's exact or chi-squared test for categorical variables were used as appropriate. Data shown represent mean or median values.

RESULTS

Participants (31 cases, 62 controls) were comparable in age (65.4 vs. 65.3, p = 0.98); p-POSSUM parameters (18.0 vs. 17.0, p = 0.45); gender (p = 1.00); smoking status (p = 0.52); use of beta-blockers (p = 1.00) and ≤10 mg/day of oral steroids (p = 0.34). Participants had been on PN for 11.0 (6.0-24.0) months and were adequately nourished (requirements 27.6 kcal/kg/day, replacement 23.5 kcal/kg/day). No differences were found between VO_{2 peak} (15.2 vs. 14.6 ml/kg/min, p = 0.96), AT (10.4 vs. 11.0 ml/kg/min, p = 0.44) and VE/VCO₂ (33.0 vs. 33.0, p = 0.96) of the examined groups.

CONCLUSION

Patients with intestinal failure receiving PN who are apparently well-nourished also appear to have normal oxygen utilisation, suggesting alternative causes for fatigue. More studies will be required to determine whether CPET could reliably be used to assess perioperative risk in this group of patients.

Advocating for a patient- and family centered care approach to management of short bowel syndrome

Patient- and family centered care (PFCC) is a model of providing healthcare that incorporates the preferences, needs, and values of the patient and their family and is built on a solid partnership between the healthcare team and patient/family. This partnership is critical in short bowel syndrome (SBS) management since the condition is rare, chronic, involves a heterogenous population, and calls for a personalized approach to care. Institutions can facilitate the practice of PFCC by supporting a teamwork approach to care, which, in the case of SBS, ideally involves a comprehensive intestinal rehabilitation program consisting of qualified healthcare practitioners who are supported with the necessary resources and budget. Clinicians can engage in a range of processes to center patients and families in the management of SBS, including fostering whole-person care, building partnerships with patients and families, cultivating communication, and providing information effectively. Empowering patients to self-manage important aspects of their condition is an important component of PFCC and can enhance coping to chronic disease. Therapy nonadherence represents a breakdown in the PFCC approach to care, especially when nonadherence is sustained, and the healthcare provider is intentionally misled. An individualized approach to care that incorporates patient/family priorities should ultimately enhance therapy adherence. Lastly, patients/families should play a central role in determining meaningful outcomes as it relates to PFCC and shaping the research that affects them. This review highlights needs and priorities of patients with SBS and their families and suggests ways to address gaps in existing care to improve outcomes.

Quality of Life in Teduglutide-Treated Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome Intestinal Failure-A Nested Matched Pair Real-World Study

BACKGROUND

Quality of life (QoL) data of chronic intestinal failure (cIF) patients treated with the GLP-2 analogue teduglutide are scarce. This study aims to analyze QoL changes over time in teduglutide-treated patients and compare the results to a matched non-treated cIF control group in a real-world setting.

METHODS

QoL data (SF-36 and SBS-QoL^TM) were obtained from adult cIF patients being treated with teduglutide and compared to previously collected QoL data from a PNLiver trial (DRKS00010993), during which patients had been therapy naive. The dataset was then extended by a pairwise matched control group (non-teduglutide-treated PNLiver trial patients) and follow-up data from this group were collected accordingly.

RESULTS

Median teduglutide treatment duration and the follow-up period of controls were both 4.3 years. SBS-QoL^TM subscales and the SBS-QoL^TM sum score showed significant improvements over time in teduglutide-treated patients, as well as for the SF-36 physical and mental component summary scores (all p < 0.02), while non-treated patients showed no significant changes in any of the mentioned scores. Significant differences of QoL changes between treated and non-treated patients were seen for both SF-36 summary scores (p = 0.031 and 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

We herein demonstrate for the first time that QoL significantly improved during teduglutide treatment in SBS-cIF patients in a real-world setting compared to individually matched non-treated SBS-cIF patients, indicating relevant clinical benefits.

Survey of healthcare professionals' experiences of care delivery in patients with chronic intestinal failure: ATLAS of Variance

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Chronic intestinal failure (IF) is a rare but life-altering condition, care delivery of which is complex. The ATLAS Programme was initiated in 2016 to increase disease awareness and address inconsistencies in delivery of care across Europe. We describe the results of a non-interventional study that aimed to explore how adult patients with chronic IF are managed across Europe.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This mixed-methods, non-interventional, cross-sectional study comprised a desk-based landscape assessment (Phase 1), qualitative interviews (Phase 2), and an online quantitative survey (Phase 3) completed by healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in the management of adult patients with chronic IF during the period November 2020 to January 2021. Data were collected from 12 European countries. Survey data were anonymised and pooled for analysis at European and country level. Responses were summarised as frequencies, ranks and percentage.

RESULTS

The quantitative survey was carried out on 119 HCPs across an estimated 58 centres. Gastroenterology was the most frequent specialty of respondents (45%). Three-quarters of HCPs (N = 119) reported that their department/unit had a multidisciplinary team for the management of patients with chronic IF. HCPs reported improving quality of life (QoL) to be the most important goal of treatment (39%), followed by reducing mortality (25%), intestinal rehabilitation (20%) and reducing morbidity (9%). Similarly, 63% of HCPs responded that improved QoL was the most important treatment goal from the perspective of their patients. Overall, 87% of HCPs reported that patients with chronic IF routinely receive home parenteral nutrition (HPN) in their country, which was more common in Western versus Eastern Europe. Meeting treatment goals (53%) and achieving better levels of support with HPN (44%) were reported as the main challenges faced by HCPs in the management of patients with chronic IF. A general lack of disease awareness of chronic IF among HCPs (46%), and insufficient accredited patient referral centres (41%) were considered the most important areas for improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

HCPs specialising in treating chronic IF considered that improvement in QoL is needed for their patients. They reported a low level of awareness of chronic IF among non-specialist HCPs.

Quality of Life in the Management of Home Parenteral Nutrition

INTRODUCTION

Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is a rare but challenging therapy for patients with mostly severe underlying diseases. We aimed to investigate patient-reported health-related quality of life (QOL) of patients receiving HPN and its development over time in particular.

METHODS

We assessed QOL of HPN patients in a prospective multicenter observational study (SWISSHPN II study). We designed a questionnaire to record symptoms and negative impacts of HPN and completed the validated Optum® SF-36v2® Health Survey with the patients.

RESULTS

Seventy patients (50% women) on HPN were included. HPN commonly affected feelings of dependency (n = 49, 70%), traveling/leaving home (n = 37, 53%), attending cultural and social events (n = 25, 36%), and sleep (n = 22, 31%). Most frequently reported symptoms were diarrhea (n = 30, 43%), polyuria (n = 28, 40%), nausea/emesis (n = 27, 39%), dysgeusia (n = 23, 33%), and cramps (n = 20, 29%). At baseline, mean (standard deviation) SF-36v2® physical and mental health component summary scores (PCS and MCS) were 45 (20) and 57 (19), respectively, and there was a trend toward improvement in PCS over the study period, while MCS remained stable. Satisfaction with health care professionals involved in HPN care was high.

CONCLUSION

QOL is a crucial and decisive aspect of HPN patient care. Symptoms related to the underlying disease and PN are frequent. Impaired social life and an ambivalent attitude toward the life-saving therapy are major concerns for these patients and should be addressed in their care.

Investigating the Relationship between Home Parenteral Support and Needs-Based Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Intestinal Failure: A National Multi-Centre Longitudinal Cohort Study

Home parenteral support (HPS) is an essential but potentially burdensome treatment that can affect quality of life (QoL). The aims of this longitudinal study were to understand whether any changes in HPS over time were associated with QoL. The Parenteral Nutrition Impact Questionnaire (PNIQ) was used, and data were collected on HPS prescribed at three time points. Data were analysed using multi-level mixed regression models presented as effect size and were adjusted for confounders. Study recruited 572 participants from 15 sites. Of these, 201 and 145 completed surveys at second and third time-points, respectively. PNIQ score was out of 20 with a higher score indicating poorer QoL. Any reduction in HPS infusions per week was associated with an improved PNIQ score of -1.10 (95% CI -2.17, -0.02) unadjusted and -1.34 (95% CI -2.45, -0.24) adjusted. Per day change to the number of infusions per week was associated with a change in the PNIQ score of 0.32 (95% CI -0.15, 0.80) unadjusted and 0.34 (95% CI -0.17, 0.85) adjusted. This is the largest national study to demonstrate improvements in QoL associated with HPS reduction over time using an HPS-specific and patient-centric tool, adding unique data for use of therapies in intestinal failure.

Fecal microbiota transplantation in a rodent model of short bowel syndrome: A therapeutic approach?

Extensive intestinal resection leads to Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS), the main cause of chronic intestinal failure. Colon preservation is crucial for spontaneous adaptation, to improve absorption and reduce parenteral nutrition dependence. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), a promising approach in pathologies with dysbiosis as the one observed in SBS patients, was assessed in SBS rats with jejuno-colonic anastomosis. The evolution of weight and food intake, the lenght of intestinal villi and crypts and the composition of fecal microbiota of Sham and SBS rats, transplanted or not with high fat diet rat microbiota, were analyzed. All SBS rats lost weight, increased their food intake and exhibited jejunal and colonic hyperplasia. Microbiota composition of SBS rats, transplanted or not, was largely enriched with Lactobacillaceae, and α- and β-diversity were significantly different from Sham. The FMT altered microbiota composition and α- and β-diversity in Sham but not SBS rats. FMT from high fat diet rats was successfully engrafted in Sham, but failed to take hold in SBS rats, probably because of the specific luminal environment in colon of SBS subjects favoring aero-tolerant over anaerobic bacteria. Finally, the level of food intake in SBS rats was positively correlated with their Lactobacillaceae abundance. Microbiota transfer must be optimized and adapted to this specific SBS environment.

Glucagon-like peptide-2 analogues for Crohn’s disease patients with short bowel syndrome and intestinal failure

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) with intestinal failure (IF) is a rare but severe complication of Crohn’s disease (CD), which is the most frequent benign condition that leads to SBS after repeated surgical resections, even in the era of biologics and small molecules. Glucagon-like peptide-2 analogues have been deeply studied recently for the treatment of SBS-IF. These drugs have a significant intestinotrophic effect and the potential to reduce the chronic dependence of SBS-IF patients on parenteral support or nutrition. Teduglutide has been approved for the treatment of SBS-IF, and apraglutide is currently in clinical development. The use of these drugs was examined with a focus on their use in CD patients.

Impact of a multidisciplinary nutritional support team on quality improvement for patients receiving home parenteral nutrition

Introduction

Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is essential for patients with intestinal failure requiring long-term nutritional support. The Amerita Quality Improvement Project for HPN Patients (QIP-PN) explored the effect of a physician nutrition expert (PNE)-led multidisciplinary nutritional support team (MNST) on HPN care for patients under its service.

Objective

To determine an MNST effect on adherence to protocols, outcomes and quality of life (QOL) in HPN.

Methods

The study was divided into three phases: data review (phases 1a and 1b), observation (phase 2) and intervention (phase 3). Seven Amerita locations were selected as 'study branches' (population), from which all study patients and controls were drawn. The quality improvement project employed a quasi-experimental case-matched control group (control) design. Data were collected on demographics, treating physicians PNE status, HPN care variables, recommended interventions, quality-of-life assessment, adverse outcomes and hospitalisations. Paired t-test compared continuous data between phases 2 and 3. Comparisons between study and control groups used a negative binomial regression model.

Results

Thirty-four patients were reviewed in phase 1a and 197 in phase 1b. Forty study patients completed phase 2 and progressed into phase 3, of whom 30 completed ≥60 therapy days. Patients were lost to follow-up if they discontinued HPN for any reason. Improvements in weight, body mass index and QOL were seen in the study patients during intervention. Recommendations made and accepted by treating physicians differed based on PNE status. Study patients had fewer adverse outcomes and related hospitalisations than controls.

Conclusion

MNST recommendations improved clinical, biochemical parameters and patients' self-reported overall health. MNST input reduced adverse outcomes, hospitalisation and the length of stay at the hospital. This study highlights the potential for MNST to have a significant impact on the quality and overall cost of HPN management.

Supplemental parenteral nutrition in cancer care: why, who, when

Malnutrition is an often-overlooked challenge for patients with cancer. It is associated with muscle mass reduction, poor compliance and response to cancer treatments, decreased quality of life, and reduced survival time. The nutritional assessment and intervention should be a vital part of any comprehensive cancer treatment plan. However, data on artificial nutrition supplied based on caloric needs during cancer care are scarce. In this review, we discuss the recommendations of the European and American societies for clinical nutrition on the use of nutritional interventions in malnourished patients with cancer in the context of current clinical practice. In particular, when enteral nutrition (oral or tube feeding) is not feasible or fails to meet the complete nutritional needs, supplemental parenteral nutrition (SPN) can bridge the gap. We report the available evidence on SPN in cancer patients and identify the perceived barriers to the wider application of this intervention. Finally, we suggest a ‘permissive’ role of SPN in cancer care but highlight the need for rigorous clinical studies to further evaluate the use of SPN in different populations of cancer patients.

Sleep patterns of patients receiving home parenteral nutrition: A home-based observational study

BACKGROUND

Patients supported with home parenteral nutrition (HPN) often report poor sleep; however, limited research has been conducted to objectively measure sleep patterns of HPN-dependent patients.

METHODS

We aimed to characterize the sleep patterns of patients receiving HPN through 7-day actigraphy in a home-based observational study. Sleep measures of clinical importance were derived from actigraphy, including sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, and wake after sleep onset. Participants also completed validated sleep surveys.

RESULTS

Twenty participants completed all study procedures (mean [SD]: age = 51.6 [13.9] years, body mass index = 21.4  [4.6], and 80% female). The population median (IQR) for sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, and wake after sleep onset was 6.9 (1.1) h, 83.3% (7.8%), 11.8 (7.1) min, and 57.2 (39.9) min, respectively, and 55%, 60%, 35%, and 100% of participants did not meet the recommendations for these measures from the National Sleep Foundation. Sixty-five percent of participants reported napping at least once during the 7-day period. Based on the Insomnia Severity Index, 70% of participants were classified as having subthreshold or more severe insomnia. Based on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, 85% were classified as having significant sleep disturbance.

CONCLUSION

Most HPN-dependent patients likely have disrupted sleep largely driven by difficulty maintaining sleep. The extent to which HPN contributed to poor sleep cannot be elucidated from this observational study. Addressing known factors that contribute to sleep disruption and considering sleep interventions may improve the overall quality of life of patients receiving HPN.

Impact of intestinal failure and parenteral support on adult patients with short-bowel syndrome: A multinational, non-interventional, cross-sectional survey

Background

Patients with short‐bowel syndrome and intestinal failure (SBS‐IF) require parenteral support (PS) and experience various symptoms and comorbidities. This survey assessed the impact of SBS‐IF and PS on patients and their health‐related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods

An online survey of adult patients who had a self‐reported clinician diagnosis of SBS‐IF and were receiving PS was conducted in France, Germany, Italy, the UK, and the USA. Patients reported symptoms, comorbidities, and treatment satisfaction; the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: Specific Health Problem (WPAI:SHP) and the Home Parenteral Nutrition‐Quality of Life (HPN‐QoL) questionnaire assessed impact on work and HRQoL, respectively.

Results

Patients (N = 181; aged 52.0 ± 15.1 years; 56.9% women) experienced fatigue (75.1%), anemia (49.7%), and difficulty spending time with family (36.5%) and friends (30.4%). A total work productivity loss of 37.5% was calculated in patients reporting employment (29.3%). Patients typically (64.0%) reported some degree of satisfaction with their PS treatment. Almost two‐thirds (59.7%) reported that their PS was either “not,” “a little,” or “moderately” convenient. The mean HPN‐QoL scores were higher for patients who were satisfied with treatment (n = 116; 17.1 ± 21.0 [median, 16.7; interquartile range, 0.0–31.7]) than for patients who were dissatisfied/neither (n = 65; 1.7 ± 19.7 [median, 0.0; interquartile range, –13.3–13.3]).

Conclusions

Patients with SBS‐IF who are receiving PS experience burdensome symptoms and comorbidities and report impacts on work productivity and time spent with friends and family. This study can increase awareness of the impacts of SBS‐IF and PS and how treatment satisfaction may influence patients’ health and HRQoL.

Impact of infusion frequency on quality of life in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition

Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) may be needed as a long-term therapy for patients with chronic intestinal failure whose clinical condition does not allow complete weaning of the PN solution. HPN is a time-consuming and clinically complex therapy and can negatively affect quality of life (QOL). The level of dependency on HPN, specifically, infusion frequency has been proposed as a factor that may have an effect on QOL in patients receiving HPN. The primary aim of this qualitative review is to identify the impact of HPN frequency (days per week of HPN infusion) on QOL measurements in adult patients receiving HPN. A comprehensive literature search was completed in PubMed and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases. Primary clinical research studies were included if they were conducted in adult patients receiving HPN and included the assessment of the associations between the frequency of HPN infusion and QOL measurements. Six articles ultimately met the criteria for this review. There was variability among the studies, including use of different tools to measure QOL. However, all six studies suggest that a reduction in HPN frequency may be associated with an improvement in QOL. Whenever patients' clinical situation allows, a reduction in HPN frequency should be considered to improve QOL in patients receiving HPN. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Impact of home parenteral nutrition on family members: A national multi-centre cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is a necessary treatment for patients with chronic, type 3, intestinal failure (IF). HPN often requires lifestyle adaptations, which are likely to affect quality of life (QoL) in both patients and family members. The aim of this study was to identify the level of burden on family members who are involved with HPN care and to understand specific factors that contribute to any burden.

METHODS

Patients over the age of 18 and receiving HPN were identified in IF clinics from multiple centres across the U.K. Eligible patients were asked to complete the parenteral nutrition impact questionnaire (PNIQ) to assess their QoL, while family members were asked to complete the burden scale for family caregivers (BSFC). Logistical regression was undertaken giving adjusted odds ratios (aOR).

RESULTS

678 participants completed the survey representing 339 patients with their appointed family member. Mean PNIQ score was 11.53 (S.D. 5.5), representing a moderate impact of HPN on patients' QoL. On the BSFC scale, 23% of family members reported a moderate to very severe subjective burden indicating an increased risk of psychosomatic symptoms. After adjusting for age and gender, predictors of BSFC included: family members self-reported health status using the EuroQol visual analogue scale (aOR 19.91, 95% CI 1.69, 233.99, p = 0.017) and support received by health services (aOR = 5.83, 95% CI = 1.93, 17.56, p = 0.002). Employment status, disease type, number of nights on HPN and length of time on HPN were not associated with BSFC.

CONCLUSIONS

Family members with a poor health status or lack of support by health service were more likely to have a moderate to very severe subjective burden. Tailored support from the multi-professional IF team may reduce the burden experienced by family members of people dependent on HPN.

Short-Bowel Syndrome: Epidemiology, Hospitalization Trends, In-Hospital Mortality, and Healthcare Utilization

INTRODUCTION

Short-bowel syndrome (SBS) is a common cause of chronic intestinal failure and is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, poor quality of life, and an increased burden on healthcare costs.

METHODS

We used the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from 2005 to 2014. We identified adult SBS hospitalizations by using a combination of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. We studied the demographics of the patients with SBS and analyzed the trends in the number of hospitalizations, in-hospital mortality, and healthcare costs. We also identified the risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 53,040 SBS hospitalizations were identified. We found that SBS-related hospitalizations increased by 55% between 2005 (N = 4037) and 2014 (N = 6265). During this period, the in-hospital mortality decreased from 40 per 1000 to 29 per 1000 hospitalizations, resulting in an overall reduction of 27%. Higher mortality was noted in SBS patients with sepsis (6.7%), liver dysfunction (6.2%), severe malnutrition (6.0%), and metastatic cancer (5.4%). The overall mean length of stay (LOS) for SBS-related hospitalizations was 14.7 days, with a mean hospital cost of $34,130. We noted a steady decrease in the LOS, whereas the cost of care remained relatively stable.

CONCLUSIONS

The national burden of SBS-related hospitalizations continues to rise, and the mortality associated with SBS has substantially decreased. Older SBS patients with sepsis, liver dysfunction, severe malnutrition, and metastatic cancer had the highest risk of mortality. Healthcare utilization in SBS remains high. healthcare utilization; hospitalization trend; mortality; research and diseases; short-bowel syndrome.

Generic and Disease-specific Health-related Quality of Life in Pediatric Intestinal Failure

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to assess overall and disease-specific health-related quality of life (hrQOL) in patients with pediatric intestinal failure (PIF) and caregivers and elucidate differences from healthy and chronic gastrointestinal (GI) illness cohorts.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of patients with PIF and their caregivers managed at a multidisciplinary intestinal rehabilitation program using the PedsQL Generic Core and the Gastrointestinal Symptoms Module to assess generic and disease-specific hrQOL, respectively. These data were compared to established healthy and chronic GI disease controls.

RESULTS

A total of 53 patients (mean age 6.2 ± 3.9 years) and their caregivers were studied. Patients reported lower generic hrQOL than healthy children (73.0 vs 83.84, P < 0.001), but no difference from patients with chronic GI disease (73.0 vs 77.79). In contrast, PIF caregivers perceived similar generic hrQOL compared to a healthy cohort (78.9 vs 82.70), but higher when compared to the GI disease cohort (78.9 vs 72.74, P < 0.01). Patients with PIF and caregivers reported lower psychosocial health scores than healthy controls. Patients and caregivers reported similar disease-specific hrQOL to a cohort with chronic GI disease but significantly lower disease-specific hrQOL than a healthy cohort (P < 0.001 both groups).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with PIF and their caregivers have disparate perceptions of generic hrQOL when compared to healthy and chronic GI disease controls. Both patients and caregivers, however, had significantly lower scores in psychosocial health than healthy controls. In addition, disease-specific hrQOL was substantially lower than healthy controls for PIF patients and caregivers. Further investigation to expand on these findings and identify modifiable variables to improve the psychosocial health score and disease-specific factors would be of high value.

Impact on caregivers of adult patients receiving parenteral support for short-bowel syndrome with intestinal failure: A multinational, cross-sectional survey

Background

Patients with short‐bowel syndrome and intestinal failure (SBS‐IF) require parenteral support (PS) and may need long‐term home‐care support. This survey assessed the impact of care provision on adult caregivers of adult patients receiving PS for SBS‐IF.

Methods

An online, cross‐sectional survey of caregivers of adults with a self‐reported physician diagnosis of SBS‐IF was conducted in France, Germany, Italy, the UK, and USA. Impact on caregivers was evaluated using the 18‐item Caregiver Strain Index (CSI), the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: Specific Health Problem (WPAI:SHP), and self‐reporting impact questionnaires.

Results

Caregivers (N = 121; aged 51 ± 13.7 years; 59% women) provided assistance for a mean of 9.9 ± 12.53 years; 77% were providing care 7 days per week. Patients (51 ± 16.4 years; 56% women) of caregivers were typically family members: spouse/partner (61%), adult son/daughter (19%), or parent (10%). Caregivers reported experiencing some strain (CSI score 4 ± 3.4). Among 71 of 73 employed caregivers, the WPAI:SHP assessment showed that caregivers missed 7% ± 12.7% of work hours in the preceding week and were present but not productive at work 37% ± 23.1% of the time; 28% of caregivers reported a reduced number of working hours because of caregiving. Many caregivers reported limitations in recreational activities (53%), and ≥30% had difficulty spending time with family and friends. Caregivers (87%) also reported worrying about the patient's health.

Conclusions

Caregivers of adult patients with SBS‐IF experience negative daily personal impacts and loss of productivity arising from their caregiving responsibilities.

Cost-effectiveness of Intestinal Transplantation Compared to Parenteral Nutrition in Adults

BACKGROUND

Intestinal transplantation (ITx) is the most expensive abdominal organ transplant. Detailed studies about exact costs and cost-effectiveness compared to home parenteral nutrition (HPN) therapy in chronic intestinal failure are lacking. The aim is to provide an in-depth analysis of ITx costs and evaluate cost-effectiveness compared to HPN.

METHODS

To calculate costs before and after ITx, costs were analyzed in 12 adult patients. To calculate the costs of patients with uncomplicated chronic intestinal failure, 28 adults, stable HPN patients were studied. Total costs including surgery, admissions, diagnostics, HPN therapy, medication, and ambulatory care were included. Median (range) costs are given.

RESULTS

Costs before ITx were €69 160 (€60 682-90 891) in year 2, and €104 146 (€83 854-186 412) in year 1. After ITx, costs were €172 133 (€122 483-351 407) in the 1st year, €40 619 (€3905-113 154) in the 2nd year, and dropped to €15 743 (€4408-138 906) in the 3rd year. In stable HPN patients, the costs were €83 402 (€35 364-169 146) in the 1st year, €70 945 (€31 955-117 913) in the 2nd year, and stabilized to €60 242 (€29 161-238 136) in the 3rd year.

CONCLUSIONS

ITx, although initially very expensive, is cost-effective compared to HPN in adults by year 4, and cost-saving by year 5.

Glucocorticoids Improve Enteral Feeding Tolerance in Pediatric Short Bowel Syndrome With Chronic Intestinal Inflammation

OBJECTIVES

A group of short bowel syndrome (SBS) patients developed chronic intestinal inflammation while struggling weaning off parenteral nutrition (PN). They did not respond to standard management of SBS and food allergy. We treated them with glucocorticoids and described the outcome.

METHODS

Our study is a retrospective descriptive study. We reviewed records from the intestinal rehabilitation program from 2006 to 2017. We identified 15 patients whose lab values, pathology results, and clinic notes were reviewed.

RESULTS

We had more patients (n = 10) with diagnosis of gastroschisis, and more female patients (n = 9). Seven patients weaned off PN with median treatment duration of 5 months, 5 of which remained on budesonide for significant period of time (median: 7.5 months). One of these 7 patients relapsed, as the patient resumed glucocorticoids because of recurrence of chronic intestinal inflammation. Six of 15 children had significant eosinophils in their initial biopsy, 5 of these children weaned off PN whereas 1 child's gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding stopped. Four patients were not able to decrease PN calorie. Two of these patients' GI bleeding stopped, the other 2 had normalized histology.

CONCLUSIONS

For SBS children with histologically confirmed chronic intestinal inflammation, glucocorticoids may help promote enteral feeding tolerance. Glucocorticoids regimen should be chosen individually. Patients are more likely to respond if initial histology has significant eosinophilic infiltration. Patients may need to remain on glucocorticoids for over 6 months.

Management of Home Parenteral Nutrition: Complications and Survival

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Parenteral nutrition (PN) has become an efficient, safe, and convenient treatment over years for patients suffering from intestinal failure. Home PN (HPN) enables the patients to have a high quality of life in their own environment. The therapy management however implies many restrictions and potentially severe lethal complications. Prevention and therapy of the latter are therefore of utmost importance. This study aims to assess and characterize the situation of patients with HPN focusing on prevalence of catheter-related complications and mortality.

METHODS

Swiss multicentre prospective observational study collecting demographic, anthropometric, and catheter-related data by means of questionnaires every sixth month from 2017 to 2019 (24 months), focusing on survival and complications. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Logistic regression models were fitted to investigate association between infection and potential co-factors.

RESULTS

Seventy adult patients (50% women) on HPN were included (≈5 patients/million adult inhabitants/year). The most common underlying diseases were cancer (23%), bariatric surgery (11%), and Crohn's disease (10%). The most prevalent indication was short bowel syndrome (30%). During the study period, 47% of the patients were weaned off PN; mortality rate reached 7% for a median treatment duration of 1.31 years. The rate of catheter-related infection was 0.66/1,000 catheter-days (0.28/catheter-year) while the rate of central venous thrombosis was 0.13/1,000 catheter-days (0.05/catheter-year).

CONCLUSION

This prospective study gives a comprehensive overview of the adult Swiss HPN patient population. The collected data are prerequisite for evaluation, comparison, and improvement of recommendations to ensure best treatment quality and safety.

GLP-1 and Intestinal Diseases

Accumulating evidence implicates glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) to have, beyond glucose maintenance, a beneficial role in the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we review emerging data investigating GLP-1 as a novel treatment for intestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases, short-bowel syndrome, intestinal toxicities and coeliac disease. Possible beneficial mechanisms for these diseases include GLP-1′s influence on gastric emptying, its anti-inflammatory properties and its intestinotrophic effect. The current knowledge basis derives from the available GLP-1 agonist treatments in experimental animals and small clinical trials. However, new novel strategies including dual GLP-1/GLP-2 agonists are also in development for the treatment of intestinal diseases.

Factors affecting antidepressant use by patients requiring home parenteral nutrition

BACKGROUND

Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is a life-saving therapy for patients with chronic intestinal failure but can be associated with a degree of psychological distress. The factors associated with the need for antidepressants (ADs) in this cohort have not yet been described.

METHODS

The study involved prospective data collection from patients attending an HPN clinic at a national intestinal failure referral center. Patients requiring HPN as a result of active malignancy were excluded. Patients were divided in 2 groups according to AD usage; demographic, anthropometric, socioeconomic characteristics, and intravenous supplementation (IVS) regimens were compared between groups.

RESULTS

A total of 184 patients were recruited between July 2018 and April 2019, with an overall prevalence of AD use of 41.7% (70/168 patients). Daily mean IVS volume was significantly higher among patients taking AD ("AD" group; 2125.48 ± 991.8 ml/day, "no-AD" group; 1828.54 ± 847.0 ml/day, P = .039), with the proportion of patients needing high-volume IVS (≥3000 ml/day) being 3 times higher in the AD group (20.0%(14/70 patients) vs 6.1% (6/98 patients), P = .006). The average energy IVS infusion per day was similar between the groups.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to demonstrate that AD use correlates with higher IVS volume rather than energy requirements in HPN patients, suggesting that high IVS volume requirements may be better associated with the patient's disease burden. Early and tailored mental health intervention may be beneficial in those with high IVS volume requirements.

Short bowel syndrome: treatment options

Introduction Short bowel syndrome (SBS) refers to the malabsorptive state that occurs following extensive intestinal resection and is associated with several complications.

Methods The research for this review was conducted in the Pubmed database. Relevant scientific articles dated between 1991 and 2015 and written in Portuguese, Spanish or English were selected.

Results Several therapies, including nutritional support, pharmacological options and surgical procedures have been used in these patients.

Conclusions Over the last decades new surgical and pharmacological approaches emerged, increasing survival and quality of life (QoL) in patients with SBS. All SBS patients ought to have an individualized and multidisciplinary care that promotes intestinal rehabilitation.

Quality of life in patients and in family members of those receiving home parenteral support with intestinal failure: A systematic review

BACKGROUND & AIMS

People with type 3 intestinal failure require regular home parenteral support (HPS) for survival. Intestinal failure is a long term condition and HPS is a burdensome treatment so understanding quality of life (QoL) and how people live with HPS over time is essential. The aim of this review was to assess the impact of HPS on QoL in adults receiving HPS and their family members.

METHODS

A systematic review (PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020166197) of the literature was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trails, PsycInfo, Web of Science and PROSPERO. Included articles were hand searched to identify any other relevant studies. Eligibility assessment was performed independently by two reviewers in an unblinded standardised manner. Quality was assessed using appropriate Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers using predefined data fields. Certainty of evidence was assessed using GradePro.

RESULTS

Included in this review were 12 studies with 1236 patients receiving HPS. There were 10 observational studies and 2 randomised controlled trials. Only studies examining QoL in adults receiving HPS were found. There were no studies examining QoL in family carers of these patients. The quality of evidence was graded as low to high and the certainty of evidence for QoL was graded as very low to low. It was not possible to perform a meta-analysis so a narrative review was conducted. All of the studies considered quality of life using validated questionnaires. QoL of patients receiving HPS was lower than the general population regarding physical functioning. Patients had a higher QoL the fewer nights each week they received HPS.

CONCLUSIONS

HPS prescriptions seemed to influence QoL. However, the certainty of evidence was very low to low so there is very little to limited confidence about the effect of HPS on patient QoL. Research into family members' QoL is lacking and requires further investigation.

Using telehealth to assess depression and suicide ideation and provide mental health interventions to groups of chronically ill adolescents and young adults

Telehealth distance health care is a significant resource for young, chronically ill patient populations given their numerous medical complexities and their concomitant depression and/or suicide ideation experiences. This manuscript shares the telehealth methods used to prepare for a larger study of interventions for increasing adolescents' and young adults' chronic care resiliency and skills for preventing depression. The young patients in this study were prescribed lifelong home parenteral nutrition infusions, treatment for those with short gut bowel diseases. The training methods for our mental health nurse and psychologist to conduct depression and suicide ideation assessments from a distance are presented. The study implementation methods of group facilitated interventions and discussion are reviewed. The group discussions were conducted via audiovisual telehealth devices over encrypted firewall-protected connections with patients in their own homes and professionals in an office. The results of assessments of the 40 participants, 25% (n = 10) with depressive symptoms or suicide ideation, are described. Following participants' assessments, their subsequent depression measures were all in the normal range, without any suicide ideation, across the year of the study. Patient evaluation ratings were high in the areas of being able to connect with other young patients in similar situations, using the audiovisual equipment, and learning new useful information from the interventions. The methods developed for the study ensured that the safety and well-being of participants were supported through telehealth.

Intestinal Failure: A Description of the Problem and Recent Therapeutic Advances

Pediatric intestinal failure occurs when gut function is insufficient to meet the nutrient and hydration needs of the growing child. The commonest cause is short bowel syndrome with maldigestion and malabsorption following massive bowel loss. The remnant bowel adapts during the process of intestinal rehabilitation. Management promotes the achievement of enteral autonomy while mitigating the risk of comorbid disease. The future of care is likely to see expansion of pharmacologic methods for augmenting bowel adaptation, tissue engineering techniques enabling immune suppression-free autologous bowel transplant, and the development of electronic health record tools for efficient, collaborative study and care improvement.

Teduglutide for the treatment of adults with intestinal failure associated with short bowel syndrome: pooled safety data from four clinical trials

BACKGROUND

In multiple clinical studies, teduglutide reduced parenteral support (PS) with a consistent safety profile in adults with short bowel syndrome-associated intestinal failure (SBS-IF). The objective of this study was to assess adverse events (AEs) from a pooled data set.

METHODS

Safety data from four prospective clinical trials of teduglutide in patients with SBS-IF were assimilated. AEs were evaluated in patient groups based on treatment received in each study and in populations stratified to create distinct subgroups based on aetiology, bowel anatomy and baseline PS volume requirements.

RESULTS

Safety data are reported for up to 2.5 years, totalling 222 person-years exposure to teduglutide. In most patients, AEs were reported as mild or moderate in severity in all patient groups and occurred at comparable rates between patients who received teduglutide or placebo. Several common gastrointestinal AEs, including abdominal pain, nausea and abdominal distension, were reported more frequently earlier in the course of treatment, with their frequency declining over time. Fewer gastrointestinal AEs were reported in patients with vascular causes of SBS-IF and patients with most of their colon-in-continuity than in other patient subgroups. Across the patient stratification subgroups, the predominant treatment-emergent AEs for which patients receiving teduglutide had a significantly increased relative risk were abdominal distension and gastrointestinal stoma complication compared with patients receiving placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

Teduglutide had a safety profile consistent with prior adult data and no new safety concerns were identified. The most frequently reported AEs were gastrointestinal in origin, consistent with the underlying disease condition and intestinotrophic actions of teduglutide.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY INFORMATION

NCT00081458/EudraCT, 2004-000438-35; NCT00798967/EudraCT, 2008-006193-15; NCT00172185/EudraCT, 2004-000439-27; NCT00930644/EudraCT, 2009-011679-65.

Successful management of ultra short bowel syndrome in an elderly patient

An 83-year-old woman presented emergently with a 1-week history of increasing abdominal pain and vomiting. Imaging confirmed an incarcerated incisional hernia containing viable small bowel. Laparotomy revealed profound ischaemic insult extending beyond the hernial contents, affecting virtually the entire small bowel, consistent with acute superior mesenteric artery thrombosis. The patient underwent resection of the entire small bowel except for 20 cm of the jejunum and 15 cm of the terminal ileum. Her duodenum and large bowel were unaffected. Despite her age, comorbidities and only 35 cm of the remnant small bowel, this patient made a remarkable recovery. She transitioned from total parenteral nutrition dependence in an acute hospital setting to being discharged into the community, relying on partial parenteral nutrition two times per week in a home setting.

Preparing the Patient for Home Parenteral Nutrition and for a Successful Course of Therapy

Preparing the patient for home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is a collaborative effort among many different clinicians. Identifying patients who will transition home with parenteral nutrition (PN) as early as possible allows for a thoughtful and safe approach. Communication regarding the HPN goals is critical to the patient's success, whether the requirement for PN is temporary or permanent. Management of these complex patients is best served by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in the area of nutrition support. Adherence to available guidelines that define best practice is imperative in all aspects of care for the patient on HPN.

Safety and Efficacy of Teduglutide in Pediatric Patients With Intestinal Failure due to Short Bowel Syndrome: A 24-Week, Phase III Study

Background

This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of teduglutide in pediatric patients with short bowel syndrome–associated intestinal failure (SBS‐IF).

Methods

A 24‐week, phase III trial with 2 randomized, double‐blind teduglutide dose groups and a nonblinded standard of care (SOC) arm was used; patients received 0.025 mg/kg or 0.05 mg/kg teduglutide once daily. Safety end points included treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and growth parameters. The primary efficacy/pharmacodynamic end point was the number of patients who achieved a ≥20% reduction in parenteral support (PS) from baseline at week 24.

Results

All 59 enrolled patients completed the study (0.025 mg/kg, n = 24; 0.05 mg/kg, n = 26; SOC, n = 9). Baseline demographics and disease characteristics were comparable among groups. TEAEs were reported by 98% and 100% of patients in the teduglutide and SOC groups, respectively. The most common TEAEs in the teduglutide‐treated groups were pyrexia and vomiting. The primary end point was achieved by 13 (54.2%), 18 (69.2%), and 1 (11.1%) patients who received 0.025 mg/kg teduglutide, 0.05 mg/kg teduglutide, and SOC, respectively (P < 0.05 vs SOC). Both 0.025‐mg/kg and 0.05‐mg/kg teduglutide groups showed clinically significant reductions in PS volume (P < 0.05 vs SOC), PS calories, days per week and hours per day of PS infusions, and increases in enteral nutrition and plasma citrulline at week 24 compared with baseline. Two (8.3%, 0.025 mg/kg teduglutide) and 3 patients (11.5%, 0.05 mg/kg teduglutide) achieved enteral autonomy.

Conclusion

The safety profile of teduglutide was similar to that reported previously in children and adults. Treatment with teduglutide was associated with significant reductions in PS for pediatric patients with SBS‐IF over 24 weeks.

Nutritional Management of a Patient with a High-Output Stoma after Extensive Small Bowel Resection to Treat Crohn's Disease

For patients with short bowel syndrome who undergo ileostomy, nutritional management is essential to prevent complications associated with a high-output stoma (HOS). We report a practical example of ostomic, medical nutrition therapy provided by an intensive nutritional support team (NST). A 42-year-old male with a history of Crohn's disease visited Seoul National University Hospital for treatment of mechanical ileus. He underwent loop ileostomy after extensive small bowel resection. As his remaining small bowel was only 160 cm in length, the stomal output was about 3,000 mL/day and his body weight fell from 52.4 to 40.3 kg. Given his clinical condition, continuous tube feeding for 24 h was used to promote adaptation of the remnant bowel. Thereafter, an oral diet was initiated and multiple, nutritional educational sessions were offered by dietitians. Constant infusion therapy was prescribed and included in the discharge plan. Two months after discharge, his body weight had increased to 46.6 kg and his hydration status was appropriately maintained. This case suggests that the critical features of medical nutritional therapy for ostomy management are frequent assessments of fluid balance, weight history, and laboratory data and after nutritional interventions.

The bacterial communities of the small intestine and stool in children with short bowel syndrome

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) presents an increasing problem in pediatrics. SBS often results from surgical resection of necrotic bowel following necrotizing enterocolitis or treatment of anatomic gastrointestinal defects. SBS is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and creates substantial burdens for patients, families, and the health system. Recent reports have demonstrated that the fecal microbiome of children with SBS is significantly different from healthy control and severe intestinal microbial imbalances is associated with poor growth. We hypothesized that children with SBS and adverse clinical features such as PN dependent, shorter bowel length and lack of ileocecal valve would demonstrate more gut dysbiosis compare with the SBS non-PN dependent. An improved understanding of SBS pathogenesis would enhance management and potentially suggest new interventions. We studied microbial communities of SBS and control non-SBS patients from the jejunum, obtained endoscopically or by ostomy aspiration, and stool. We enrolled SBS patients who did and did not require parenteral nutrition (PN), as a surrogate marker for the seriousness of their disease. We studied the microbiota using high-throughput DNA sequencing of 16S rRNA genes and statistical analyses. We found that microbial diversity was significantly greater in jejunal aspirate than in stool samples in SBS patients, unlike non-SBS patients; that SBS patients receiving enteral feeds had greater diversity, and that SBS patients on PN and enteral feeds had lower differences in diversity in jejunal vs. stool samples. We found a trend toward increased diversity in patients with an intact ileocecal valve, and found that certain taxa were more abundant in the certain sample types, and in SBS patients vs. non-SBS patients. SBS patients have lower microbial diversity, especially patients with more severe disease, patients requiring PN, and those lacking an ileocecal valve. SBS patients, particularly those with more complex characteristics, exhibit differences in their intestinal microbiota. Particular individual taxa were over- and under-represented in patients with more unfavorable disease. While diminished diversity and alterations in microbiota composition are likely consequences of SBS, future efforts aimed at increasing microbial diversity and interventions targeting specific microbiota characteristics might constitute a testable approach to ameliorate some clinical SBS clinical consequences.

Non-interventional, retrospective data of long-term home parenteral nutrition in patients with benign diseases: Analysis of a nurse register (SERECARE)

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) service in patients with benign chronic intestinal failure (CIF).

METHODS

This was a 10-y retrospective, non-interventional, multicenter study conducted with adult and pediatric patients with CIF who received HPN service. We analyzed data prospectively collected from a dedicated register by HPN nurses.

RESULTS

From January 2002 to December 2011 a total of 794 patients (49.7% male, median age 1 y for children and 57 y for adults) were included in the analysis. Over the 10-y period, 723 central venous catheter (CVC) complications occurred, of which 394 were infectious (54.5%), 297 were mechanical (41.1%), and 32 (3.3%) were defined as CVC-related thrombosis. The complication rate was higher in children (1.11 per patient) than in adults (0.70 per patient). During the observation period, the rates of both infectious and mechanical complications showed a global declining trend and ∼75% of patients had neither infectious nor mechanical CVC complications. HPN efficacy was evaluated in 301 patients with a minimum follow-up of 36 mo. Body mass index and Karnofsky score showed that the median growth significantly increased (P < 0.001) over baseline for adults and pediatric patients in the 0 to 2 age range.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a structured register has proved to be a key strategy for monitoring the outcomes of long-term treatment, improving time efficiency, and preventing potential malpractice. To our knowledge, this is the largest survey ever documented; the results were consistent despite the heterogeneity of the centers because of duly applied standard rules and protocols.

Health-related quality of life and neurodevelopmental outcomes among children with intestinal failure

Treatment results of pediatric intestinal failure have improved markedly during the last decades. With improved survival the attention is turning to other essential outcomes including quality of life and neurodevelopment. So far, relatively few studies with limited number of patients and variable methodology have addressed these issues. Based on these studies using generic health related quality of life tools, children with intestinal failure demonstrate decreased physical health, while PN-dependence is also associated with compromised emotional functioning. Impairments of social functioning are frequently observed among older children and parents. Few recent studies on neurodevelopment imply significant impairments in motor and mental skills among children with intestinal failure despite small sample sizes and limited follow-up times. Development of a disease-specific survey designed for the pediatric intestinal failure population could better reveal the health issues with greatest impact on quality of life. Robust studies with appropriate methodology on neurodevelopment in pediatric intestinal failure with extended follow-up times are urgently needed. Quality of life and neurodevelopment requires greater attention from medical professionals managing children with intestinal failure.

The active problem solving of patients dependent on home parenteral nutrition: A qualitative analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

People with chronic, type 3, intestinal failure often require long-term home parenteral nutrition (HPN). People receiving HPN have frequent interactions with their healthcare, due to the need for close monitoring and due to recurrent hospital admissions. Individuals' responses to, and interactions with, their health care service provides are poorly described. We conducted a service evaluation to explore people's experiences of HPN-related healthcare interactions in order to identify how service providers can best meet the individualised needs of patients.

METHODS

We interviewed ten people receiving HPN. The participants were asked about their healthcare interactions related to HPN. The data were analysed using a qualitative research method known as interpretive phenomenological analysis. This analytical approach is concerned with the meaning that people ascribe to particular events, in this case their HPN-related healthcare interactions.

RESULTS

The participants in this study described a range of psychosocial problems related to their HPN healthcare interactions, including reliance, risk and restrictions. Participants' solutions to these problems included adaptation of their routine, self-guardianship and passivity. Sometimes, these solutions generated secondary problems of their own, including concerns with resource use, negative healthcare interactions and conflicts of responsibility. A range of contextual factors influenced how participants interpreted their healthcare interactions and the solutions available to them. These contextual factors included continuity of healthcare professionals, the attitude of staff, and information and knowledge about HPN.

CONCLUSIONS

By attending to the individual meaning ascribed to healthcare events, and the contextual factors that surround these events, we have been able to better understand the decisions made by patients dependent on HPN. This suggests that healthcare professionals may also better understand their patients' decision making by attending to the individual meaning that patients ascribe to healthcare events and to contextual factors. We propose a model to describe the process of problem -> resolution -> problem in which participants are actively engaged.