Complications of enteral tube-fed patients at home

Objective: Home enteral tube feeding (HETF) is a life-sustaining and vital form of treatment for medically stable patients who have functional gastroinstestinal tracts and do not need hospitilazation but can’t meet their nutritional requirements with oral intake. However, this intervention is not without its complications. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of adult patients undergoing HETF and to investigate the prevalence of nutrition-related complications. Methods: A prospective study was conducted, with each HETF patient monitored over a 28-day period. Data regarding patient descriptive characteristics, HETF characteristics, biochemical parameters, anthropometric measurements, and occurrences of nutrition-related complications were collected and analyzed. Results: The study enrolled 22 patients, comprising 10 males (mean age: 68.8±11.7 years) and 12 females (mean age: 67.7±13.7 years). Malnutrition was observed in 31.8% of patients. Inadequate intake of dietary fiber, vitamin D, vitamin K, potassium, and magnesium was noted. Gastrointestinal complications were prevalent in 77.3% of patients, followed by metabolic complications in the same proportion, mechanical complications in 50% of cases, and pressure ulcers in 45.5% of cases. Factors such as gender, age, feeding position, feeding route, type of product consumed, and fiber content did not significantly influence the incidence of gastrointestinal complications. Conclusions: Complications associated with HETF were common among the study population. The findings underscore the necessity of a specialized multidisciplinary team to ensure effective HETF management and to mitigate or prevent associated complications.