LB055 - GI SYMPTOM RISKS AND CONSEQUENCES IN CANADIAN HOME ENTERAL NUTRITION

LB055

GI SYMPTOM RISKS AND CONSEQUENCES IN CANADIAN HOME ENTERAL NUTRITION

L. Murch^1,*, J. Hoard², C. Steel¹

¹Medical Affairs, Nestle Health Science Canada, North York, ²Brescia School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Western University, London, Canada

Rationale: Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms among home enteral nutrition (HEN) patients affect comfort, adherence, and outcomes, while increasing healthcare use and costs. This dietitian survey described Canadian adults on HEN, GI symptom prevalence, perceived risk and consequences.

Methods: Dietitians providing direct patient care completed an online survey. Responses were analyzed in aggregate with descriptive statistics. Percentages and numeric likert scale scoring were weighted when relevant based on number of HEN patients seen per month.

Results: 129 dietitians fully/partially completed the survey, seeing 7.7±22.3 HEN patients/month, mostly from homecare (62.8%) and outpatient clinics (20.2%). The most common primary medical conditions were head & neck cancer (HN) (37.3±77.3%), neurological conditions (NC) (22.4±65.2%) and upper GI cancer (UGC) (16.7±39.9%). Mean % of patients/month with any GI symptom was 53.0±63.2% with UGC (58.2±38%) more than HN (52.8±47.3%) and NC (50.6±48.6). The most common symptoms were feeling of fullness (41.2±72.9%), constipation (28.9±72.5%) and reflux (25.0±48.5%). Risk factors associated with GI symptoms were poor prognosis (likert scale weighted score 4.8±2.6 out of 5), presence of acute illness/infection (4.7±3.0), small bowel feeding tube (4.3±3.1) and BMI <20 kg/m² (4.2±2.2). Reduced patient quality of life (QOL) followed by reduced EN rate and interrupted EN were the top 3 reported consequences of GI symptoms with weight loss/poor weight gain, increased healthcare use and reduced caregiver QOL tied for fourth.

Conclusion: Dietitians report GI symptoms impact more than half of HEN patients, with UGC experiencing highest burden. Risk factors include prognosis, acute illness, low BMI and tube placement. Consequences such as reduction in patient/caregiver QOL, weight loss and increased healthcare utilization highlight importance of proactively addressing GI symptoms.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared