PD355 - NUTRITIONAL TREATMENT OF CHRONIC INTESTINAL FAILURE IN THE NORDIC COUNTRIES: A MULTICENTRE SURVEY

PD355

NUTRITIONAL TREATMENT OF CHRONIC INTESTINAL FAILURE IN THE NORDIC COUNTRIES: A MULTICENTRE SURVEY

C. L. Rud^1,2,*, K. Johansen³, K. K. Mikkelsen⁴, J. L. poulsen⁴, J. Lillienau⁵, J. Brun⁶, M. Gaard⁷, J. G. Hatlebakk⁸, M. Hagve³, C. L. Hvas^1,2, P. B. Jeppesen⁹, K. A. Fuglsang¹⁰, S. Pikkarainen¹¹, I. Bosaeus¹², H. H. Rasmussen⁴

¹Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, ²Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark, ³University Hospital of North Norway, Breivika, Norway, ⁴Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark, ⁵Skåne University Hospital, Malmø, ⁶Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden, ⁷Oslo universitetssykehus , Oslo, ⁸Haukeland Universitetssykehus, Bergen, Norway, ⁹Department of Digestive Diseases, Transplantation and General Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, ¹⁰Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical Department, Zealand University Hospital, Køge, Denmark, ¹¹Department of gastroenterology, Abdominal Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland, ¹² Clinical nutrition unit, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden

Rationale: Chronic intestinal failure (CIF) is a rare condition requiring highly specialised care, yet the nutritional aspects are not well described in the literature. We aimed to examine current practices and organisational structures for the nutritional management of patients with CIF in the Nordic Countries.

Methods: We identified 13 units treating patients with CIF in the Nordic Countries and sent an online survey to the head of each unit. 

Results: All 13 units responded, including five from Denmark, three from Norway, three from Sweden, and two from Finland. Sixty-two per cent of the units had been established for > 10 years, while one had existed for <1 year. A point prevalence of > 50 patients was reported by 62% of units. Multidisciplinary teams typically included gastroenterologists, gastrointestinal surgeons, dieticians and nurses. Ninety-two per cent followed one or more ESPEN guidelines for CIF or home parenteral nutrition. Eighty-five per cent used exclusively commercially available multi-chamber bags. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 62% of units. For fluid balance, 62% measured urine volume and 46% measured urine sodium excretion. All units measured plasma electrolytes, liver function tests, folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. Bone health was assessed in 92% of units, and manganese levels in 23%. Metabolic balance studies were available at 31% of units.

Conclusion: This multinational survey indicates broad consensus in current practices and organisational structures for the nutritional management of CIF in the Nordic Countries, although some variation remains. Further collaboration and development of a Nordic CIF database may help strengthen highly specialised care for these patients.

Disclosure of Interest: C. Rud: None declared, K. Johansen: None declared, K. Mikkelsen: None declared, J. poulsen Other: Speaker Fresenius Kabi, J. Lillienau: None declared, J. Brun: None declared, M. Gaard: None declared, J. Hatlebakk: None declared, M. Hagve: None declared, C. Hvas: None declared, P. Jeppesen: None declared, K. Fuglsang: None declared, S. Pikkarainen: None declared, I. Bosaeus: None declared, H. Rasmussen: None declared