Publications by authors named "Farrer K"

Background: Parenteral nutrition (PN) is required by people with intestinal failure and can be delivered as multi-chambered bags (MCBs) or individually compounded (COM) bags. This systematic review aimed to examine the evidence base for clinical outcomes and/or quality of life (QoL) in adults receiving PN as MCBs compared to COMs in hospital and community settings.

Methods: A systematic database search was conducted between January 2015 and May 2024.

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Background: Chyme reinfusion therapy treats patients with high-output fistulas or stomas by returning chyme to the distal gut. The role of this treatment in severe acute intestinal failure is currently unclear. The primary outcome of this study was a successful establishment of chyme reinfusion therapy, defined by the ability to replace parenteral nutrition for nutrition support.

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Background & Aims: There is varied international practice in the use of ready-made multi-chamber bags (MCBs) and compounded parenteral nutrition (PN). Recent national aseptic pharmacy capacity limitations have restricted compounded PN production so we aimed to explore outcomes associated with the increased use of MCB vs compounded regimens during a period of change in PN supplies.

Methods: This was a point prevalence study conducted over two time periods, Period 1: 01.

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Introduction: Pregnancy in patients with chronic intestinal failure (CIF) is a relatively rare occurrence but is an important contemporary topic given both the increasing use of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) and the demographics of patients with CIF.

Method: An opinion-based survey was produced in a multidisciplinary manner, which was then distributed internationally, via the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism network, using a web-based survey tool for healthcare professionals with a specialist interest in the management of CIF.

Results: Seventy specialists from 11 countries completed the survey.

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Background: Although international guidelines support the use of commercially available multichamber bags (MCBs), the majority of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) in the United Kingdom has been compounded PN, tailored to the patient. However, national capacity limitations in aseptic facilities have necessitated the increased use of MCBs. There are no studies evaluating the appropriateness or benefits of using a "hybrid" regimen incorporating both MCBs and compounded PN in patients already established on compounded HPN.

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Background: Ascorbic acid (VitC) is an essential coenzyme to maintain health, but there are minimal data on the adequacy of VitC supply in patients requiring home parenteral nutrition (HPN).

Methods: A prospective pilot study was carried out measuring plasma VitC, serum vitamins A, D and E, and the minerals zinc, copper, selenium and magnesium in 28 adult HPN-dependent (≥6 months) patients.

Results: Fifty-seven percent of patients had insufficient VitC status.

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Background And Aims: Patients with short bowel syndrome and type 3 intestinal failure (SBS-IF) are dependent on parenteral nutrition (PN), a lifesaving treatment but inconvenient and with risks. Glucagon-like peptide 2 analogue (teduglutide) can reduce patients' need for PN. However, it comes with the risk of a number of side effects.

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Background: The risk of bloodstream infections may be increased in hospitalized patients receiving ready-made parenteral nutrition (PN) multichamber bags (MCBs) compared with customized PN; however, as highlighted in recent international guidelines, there are no comparable data relating to home PN (HPN).

Methods: Data from a prospectively maintained database were analyzed to compare incidence rates of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) between patients receiving customized HPN compared with MCB HPN at a national UK referral center between May 2018 and August 2020.

Results: Sixty patients with chronic intestinal failure were commenced on MCBs and 45 received customized HPN for a total of 5914 and 7641 catheter days, respectively.

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Background: Measurement of body composition is a valuable clinical tool for nutrition assessments, but there are no data on the merits of assessment modalities in type 2 intestinal failure (IF). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of low muscle mass and quality in type 2 IF, comparing bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) and computed tomography (CT) at the third lumbar vertebra level.

Methods: Patients admitted with acute severe (type 2) IF to a national UK IF center who had BIA measurement and CT scan as part of routine care within 40 days of anthropometric measurement were included in this cross-sectional study.

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Background: The risk of undernutrition in older adults in the community is high, with clear negative impacts on health and well-being. Nutritional screening is not routine and undernutrition often goes unrecognised. A community-level population public health intervention has the potential to target environments where the risk of undernutrition is highest.

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Older adults in the community are at risk of malnutrition and dehydration. The present article aims to outline an intervention and a population-health approach to raise awareness of the importance of good nutrition and hydration in later life. This was addressed by developing strong partnership working, governance frameworks and local steering committees.

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The decision to commence jejunal feeding in patients with structural abnormalities, which prevent oral or intragastric feeding, is usually straightforward. However, decisions surrounding the need for jejunal feeding can be more complex in individuals with no clear structural abnormality, but rather with foregut symptoms and pain-predominant presentations, suggesting a functional origin. This appears to be an increasing issue in polysymptomatic patients with multi-system involvement.

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Rationale: Our intestinal failure unit provides care for patients from a wide geographical area. Patients dependent on home parenteral nutrition (HPN) are routinely reviewed in the clinic at 3-6 monthly intervals. Between March 2008 and 2015, we noted a significant rise in the number of patients under our care, with an associated 51% increase in clinic appointments offered.

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Background: Malnutrition is one the greatest global health challenges of our generation, leading to the increased utilisation of healthcare resources, as well as morbidity and mortality. Research has primarily been driven by industry, academia and clinical working groups and has had little involvement from patients and carers. The project described in the present study aimed to establish a priority setting partnership allowing patients, carers and healthcare professionals an opportunity to influence the research agenda.

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Background: The use of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) for palliative indications is increasing internationally and is the leading indication in some countries. Discharge on HPN can be complex in metabolically unstable patients and requires intestinal failure expertise.

Methods: Between 2012 and 2018, we performed a retrospective analysis aiming to assess the impact of a novel remote discharge pathway for palliative HPN patients.

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Intestinal failure associated liver disease (IFALD) is frequent problem encountered when managing patients receiving parenteral nutrition (PN). Its occurrence is often multifactorial and modification of these factors is vital for the management of such hepatic dysfunction. The use of novel lipid preparations can form part of this management strategy.

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Background And Aim: There are minimal reports of pregnancy in the chronic intestinal failure (CIF)/ home parenteral nutrition (HPN) population, with some concern relating to the risk associated with such pregnancies. The aim of this retrospective observational study was to evaluate pregnancy experience and outcomes in patients with CIF requiring HPN in a national UK CIF referral centre.

Method: All known pregnancies in patients treated with HPN for CIF between 1982 and 2016 were identified retrospectively from a prospectively maintained database.

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Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding allows patients with dysphagia to receive adequate nutritional support, although gastrostomy insertion is associated with mortality. A nutrition support team (NST) may improve a gastrostomy service. The present study aimed to evaluate the introduction of a NST for assessment and follow-up of patients referred for gastrostomy.

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Background/objectives: Bariatric surgery for morbid obesity provides sustained weight loss. Complications of bariatric surgery include severe nutritional decline, but minimal data describing occurrence and outcome of intestinal failure (IF) exist.

Subjects/methods: All patients referred to one of the UK's National IF units (IFU) are prospectively entered onto a database; case notes were assessed for bariatric surgery details, IF onset, outcomes, resulting intestinal anatomy, mortality and catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs).

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Patients with intestinal failure (IF) and home parenteral nutrition commonly develop abnormal liver function tests. The presentations of IF-associated liver disease (IFALD) range from mild cholestasis or steatosis to cirrhosis and decompensated liver disease. We describe the reversal of IFALD in an adult patient with IF secondary to severe Crohn's disease and multiple small bowel resections.

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Background/objectives: Parenteral nutrition (PN) should be provided to the malnourished patient if enteral feeding is insufficient or unsafe. A nutrition support team (NST) may improve PN services. We compared the use and complications of hospital PN before and after the implementation of an NST.

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Background And Objective: Therapeutic hypothermia is now the standard of care for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Treatment should be started early, and it is often necessary to transfer the infant to a regional NICU for ongoing care. There are no large studies reporting outcomes from infants cooled passively compared with active (servo-controlled) cooling during transfer.

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Introduction: Almost 60% of elderly care in-patients are at risk of malnutrition. Malnourished patients have poorer clinical outcomes and this is a key factor with respect to prolonging the length of stay. Since 2003, the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) has been advocated as a method for identifying these at-risk patients.

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