Home Parenteral Nutrition in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis: A Retrospective Review of 12 Cases

[Gastrointestinal tract involvement in systemic sclerosis]

Gastrointestinal tract involvement in systemic sclerosis concerns more than 90% of patients but is of heterogeneous clinical expression. It can involve the entire intestinal tract and be responsible for multifactorial malnutrition, which is frequent in this disease. It is a major source of deterioration in the quality of life and can even be life-threatening. Management is complex and multidisciplinary, ranging from simple hygienic and dietary measures, to specialized endoscopic or surgical interventional procedures, also including medical treatments, particularly proton pump inhibitors and prokinetics, with potential side effects. Ongoing research for new diagnostic and therapeutic tools promises to improve the management and prognosis of these patients.

Particularly severe form of refractory gastrointestinal involvement in systemic sclerosis

A woman with systemic sclerosis presents with a severe and rapidly progressive form of gastrointestinal involvement, mainly marked by recurrent refractory episodes of pseudo-obstruction, culminating in severe malnutrition and dependence of parenteral nutrition. The impact on her quality of life was extremely significant. As a last resort, she started intravenous immunoglobulin with progressive improvement of her symptoms, allowing for the reinstitution of oral diet and removal of parenteral nutrition. After more than 1 year, she maintains clinical stability. Systemic sclerosis has a heterogeneous phenotype, but gastrointestinal involvement is one of the most frequent. Severe manifestations are rare, but can lead to severe malnutrition and are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Their management is challenging, as the available treatments are still very limited. A better understanding of its pathophysiology, which seems to be unique, is essential to provide more effective treatments and improving quality of life.

Long-term home parenteral nutrition in systemic sclerosis-related intestinal failure is feasible but unveils occult cardiac disease

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare safety and efficacy of long-term home parenteral nutrition between patients with systemic sclerosis and intestinal failure (IF) and controls with IF from another etiology.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted in a referral center for systemic sclerosis (SSc) in Montpellier, France. Patients followed between 1985 and 2020 with SSc-related IF were included and compared with control patients with IF from another etiology. The patients included had to be treated for ≥4 wk by home parenteral nutrition (HPN). Primary outcome was occurrence of HPN-related complications. Secondary outcomes included duration of parenteral nutrition, body mass index at 12 mo, and survival.

RESULTS

Cumulative duration of HPN was 23 397 catheter days. HPN resulted in body mass index increase in both groups. There was no statistical difference regarding catheter-related bloodstream infections and thrombosis between the groups, despite use of immunosuppressive drugs and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with SSc. However, the patients with SSc had significantly more HPN-related cardiac overload than the controls (P < 0.0001). Overloads occurred in SSc patients with and without cardiac disease, arguing for comprehensive hemodynamic screening in this condition.

CONCLUSION

Long-term HPN in SSc-related IF is feasible but unveils occult cardiac disease.

Nutrition Management in Patients With Chronic Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders: A Systematic Literature Review

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to systematically review effects of nutrition interventions on outcomes in patients with chronic gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorders. There is currently a lack of evidence-based guidelines for nutrition management in this group, likely a result of the rarity of the conditions.

METHODS

A systematic review of all study types to evaluate current evidence-based nutrition interventions was performed using Medline, Embase, and CINAHL databases. Two independent reviewers participated in the process of this systematic review. A total of 15 studies and a total of 524 subjects were included.

RESULTS

Best treatment of this population group was found to include a stepwise process, progressing from oral nutrition to jejunal nutrition and lastly to parenteral nutrition. Small particle, low-fat diets were significantly better tolerated than the converse, with jejunal nutrition prior to consuming oral food significantly improving oral intake and motility. In more progressive cases, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy with jejunal extension nutrition had lower reported symptoms than other enteral routes. Exclusive long-term parenteral nutrition is a feasible option for advanced cases, with a 68% survival rate at 15 years duration, though oral intake with parenteral nutrition is associated with higher survival rates.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of patients with GI motility disorders should first trial oral nutrition. For patients who progress to jejunal or parenteral feeds, the primary aim should be to maintain or reinstate oral intake to reduce morbidity and mortality risk. Higher-quality studies are still required in this area, particularly in the areas of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction and systemic sclerosis.

Parenteral Nutrition and Intestinal Failure

Severe short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a major cause of chronic (Type 3) intestinal failure (IF) where structural and functional changes contribute to malabsorption and risk of micronutrient deficiencies. Chronic IF may be reversible, depending on anatomy and intestinal adaptation, but most patients require long-term nutritional support, generally in the form of parenteral nutrition (PN). SBS management begins with dietary changes and pharmacologic therapies taking into account individual anatomy and physiology, but these are rarely sufficient to avoid PN. New hormonal therapies targeting intestinal adaptation hold promise. Surgical options for SBS including intestinal transplant are available, but have significant limitations. Home PN (HPN) is therefore the mainstay of treatment for severe SBS. HPN involves chronic administration of macronutrients, micronutrients, fluid, and electrolytes via central venous access in the patient's home. HPN requires careful clinical and biochemical monitoring. Main complications of HPN are related to venous access (infection, thrombosis) and metabolic complications including intestinal failure associated liver disease (IFALD). Although HPN significantly impacts quality of life, outcomes are generally good and survival is mostly determined by the underlying disease. As chronic intestinal failure is a rare disease, registries are a promising strategy for studying HPN patients to improve outcomes.

Effectiveness of Nonpharmacologic Interventions in Systemic Sclerosis: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To systematically and comprehensively document the effectiveness of nonpharmacologic interventions on physical functioning and psychological well-being in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

METHODS

Multiple electronic databases were searched for studies on the effectiveness of nonpharmacologic interventions in SSc. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials (CCTs), and observational designs (ODs) with ≥10 participants were included. Two reviewers independently assessed methodologic quality using the Downs and Black checklist.

RESULTS

Twenty-three studies (9 RCTs, 4 CCTs, and 10 ODs) were included. Studies assessing comparable interventions were grouped, resulting in data for 16 different interventions. The total number of patients included per study ranged from 10 to 53. Seventeen different outcome domains were assessed, with hand function, limitations in activities, and quality of life being assessed most frequently. Three studies, all RCTs, were rated as high quality. These RCTs reported that 1) a multifaceted oral health intervention improves mouth hygiene, and additional orofacial exercises did not improve mouth opening, 2) a multidisciplinary team-care program improves limitations in activities, mouth opening, and hand grip strength, and 3) manual lymph drainage improves hand function, limitations in activities, and quality of life.

CONCLUSION

The body of knowledge regarding nonpharmacologic care in SSc is very limited due to the wide variety in studied interventions and outcomes in the relatively uncommon but highly disabling disease. To structure and focus future research, an international consensus should be established to prioritize primary targets for nonpharmacologic treatment and the content of interventions and to agree on a core set of outcome measures.

Home parenteral nutrition is beneficial in systemic sclerosis patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction

OBJECTIVES

To assess 12-month changes in nutritional status and quality of life (QoL) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients requiring home parenteral nutrition (HPN).

METHOD

We conducted a retrospective, single-centre database analysis of SSc patients regarding a 12-month period of HPN at an interdisciplinary University Unit/team for nutrition and rheumatic diseases. Nutritional status was analysed by nutritional risk screening (NRS) and body mass index (BMI). QoL was evaluated using Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaires.

RESULTS

Between 2008 and 2013, daily nocturnal HPN was initiated in five consecutive SSc patients (four females and one male, mean age 62.2 years) suffering severe malnutrition due to gastrointestinal tract (GIT) involvement. After 12 months of HPN, the mean NRS score decreased from 4.4 (range 4-5) to 1.4 (range 1-2), the mean BMI increased from 19.1 (range 17.4-20.3) to 21.0 kg/m² (range 18.3-23.4). QoL improved in all patients, reflected by the summary of physical components with 33.92 points before vs. 67.72 points after 12 months of HPN, and the summary of mental components with 49.66 points before vs. 89.27 points after 12 months of HPN. Two patients suffered one catheter-related infection each with subsequent surgical removal and reinsertion.

CONCLUSIONS

HPN is a feasible method for improving anthropometric parameters and QoL in SSc patients severely affected by GIT dysfunction. We recommend HPN in malnourished, catabolic SSc patients unable to otherwise maintain or improve their nutritional status.

Gastrointestinal Manifestations, Malnutrition, and Role of Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition in Patients With Scleroderma

Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) is an autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organ systems. Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement is the most common organ system involved in scleroderma. Complications of GI involvement including gastroesophageal reflux disease, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction secondary to extensive fibrosis may lead to nutritional deficiencies in these patients. Here, we discuss pathophysiology, progression of GI manifestations, and malnutrition secondary to scleroderma, and the use of enteral and parenteral nutrition to reverse severe nutritional deficiencies. Increased mortality in patients with concurrent malnutrition in systemic sclerosis, as well as the refractory nature of this malnutrition to pharmacologic therapies compels clinicians to provide novel and more invasive interventions in reversing these nutritional deficiencies. Enteral and parenteral nutrition have important implications for patients who are severely malnourished or have compromised GI function as they are relatively safe and have substantial retrospective evidence of success. Increased awareness of these therapeutic options is important when treating scleroderma-associated malnutrition.

Long-term outcome of patients with systemic sclerosis requiring home parenteral nutrition

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Patients with systemic sclerosis may develop intestinal failure requiring home parenteral nutrition. However, few outcome data have been reported. This study aimed to review the outcome of patients with systemic sclerosis receiving home parenteral nutrition.

METHODS

Records of all patients with systemic sclerosis who commenced home parenteral nutrition, at a national intestinal failure unit were retrospectively reviewed. Disease characteristics, survival and outcome data were evaluated.

RESULTS

Twenty five patients (20% male; median age: 55 years) were included over a 22-year period (37,200 central venous catheter days). All patients had small intestinal involvement. Prior to home parenteral nutrition, 16 failed enteral feeding. Nine patients were trained to self-administer their home parenteral nutrition; carers/relatives were trained for the remainder. Cumulative survivals on home parenteral nutrition at 2, 5 and 10 years were 75%, 37%, and 23%. Sixteen patients died from causes unrelated to home parenteral nutrition. Two patients were weaned off home parenteral nutrition. Seven patients survive on home parenteral nutrition (median: 41 months; range 9-178). Central venous catheter-related complications were low; these included occlusion (0.70 episodes per 1000 central venous catheter days), sepsis (0.19 episodes per 1000 central venous catheter days) and central venous thrombosis (0.11 episodes per 1000 central venous catheter days).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the longest, largest reported series of patients with systemic sclerosis receiving home parenteral nutrition. It shows that home parenteral nutrition can be used safely and effectively in patients with very severe systemic sclerosis-related gastrointestinal involvement.

Systemic sclerosis--challenges for clinical practice

The management of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) can be challenging because disease-associated damage is often difficult to reverse and curative therapies are not yet available. Early identification and appropriate monitoring of patients with SSc is, therefore, critical so that active disease can be controlled and tissue damage prevented or delayed. However, early diagnosis of SSc is often difficult because the early clinical stages of the disease can be very similar to that of other autoimmune conditions. Screening for major organ manifestations of SSc, particularly interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, renal involvement and cardiac disease is a priority because involvement of these organs is associated with shorter life expectancies and early intervention might prevent disease progression. The prevention and management of digital ischaemia is also important as appropriate therapy often prevents substantial morbidity and functional loss. Treating gastrointestinal dysmotility can usually be managed using proton pump inhibitors and promotility agents, although in severe cases total parenteral nutrition is required. Calcinosis in patients with SSc is another common challenge that requires appropriate disease management and pain control. Each of these topics, which are relevant to both physicians and patients with SSc, are reviewed in further detail herein.

Malnutrition in systemic sclerosis

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