Efficacy of a long-term home parenteral nutrition regimen containing fish oil-derived n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: a single-centre, randomized, double blind study.

Background: Data on the use of lipid emulsions containing fish-oil (FO) derived n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) in addition to medium- and long-chain triglycerides (MCT/LCT) for long-term home parenteral nutrition (HPN) are limited. This study aimed to compare HPN regimens containing either MCT/LCT/FO-derived n-3 PUFAs (test group) or MCT/LCT (control group) with respect to efficacy and safety during 8 weeks of HPN using a non-inferiority trial design with change of body mass index (BMI) as primary endpoint.

Methods: This prospective, randomized, double-blind study was conducted at the Charité, Berlin, Germany, from 02/2008 until 01/2014.

Quality of care for cancer patients on home parenteral nutrition: development of key interventions and outcome indicators using a two-round Delphi approach.

Purpose: Clear recommendations on how to guide patients with cancer on home parenteral nutrition (HPN) are lacking as the use of HPN in this population remains a controversial issue. Therefore, the aims of this study were to rank treatment recommendations and main outcome indicators to ensure high-quality care and to indicate differences in care concerning benign versus malignant patients.

Methods: Treatment recommendations, identified from published guidelines, were used as a starting point for a two-round Delphi approach.

Long-term follow-up of patients on home parenteral nutrition in Europe: implications for intestinal transplantation.

Background: The indications for intestinal transplantation (ITx) are still debated. Knowing survival rates and causes of death on home parenteral nutrition (HPN) will improve decisions.

Methods: A prospective 5-year study compared 389 non-candidates (no indication, no contraindication) and 156 candidates (indication, no contraindication) for ITx.

Functioning and health in patients with cancer on home-parenteral nutrition: a qualitative study.

Background: Malnutrition is a common problem in patients with cancer. One possible strategy to prevent malnutrition and further deterioration is to administer home-parenteral nutrition (HPN). While the effect on survival is still not clear, HPN presumably improves functioning and quality of life.

Central venous catheter complications during home parenteral nutrition: a prospective pilot study of 481 patients with more than 30,000 catheter days.

Background: Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) has been shown to delay deterioration in cancer patients with malnutrition. Its risk-benefit ratio, however, is determined by the threat of central venous catheter (CVC) complications. Only few prospective studies on this subject exist, most of them based on small samples.

Survival of patients identified as candidates for intestinal transplantation: a 3-year prospective follow-up.

Background & Aims: The US Medicare indications for intestinal transplantation are based on failure of home parenteral nutrition. The American Society of Transplantation also includes patients at high risk of death from their primary disease or with high morbidity intestinal failure. A 3-year prospective study evaluated the appropriateness of these indications.

Management of intestinal failure in Europe. A questionnaire based study on the incidence and management.

Background: Intestinal failure is the outcome of a number of gastrointestinal diseases and characterized by significant reduction in functional gut mass. If not resolved patients often face long-term nutritional support. This study gathered information about how patients referred with intestinal failure are managed in specialised European centres.

Evaluation of clinical safety and beneficial effects of a fish oil containing lipid emulsion (Lipoplus, MLF541): data from a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial.

Objective: To prove safety and effectiveness of a lipid emulsion enriched with n-3 fatty acids from fish oil (Lipoplus) within the setting of parenteral nutrition of patients after major abdominal surgery and to determine whether there are effects on outcome parameters.

Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial.

Setting: University and surgical teaching hospitals.

Candidates for intestinal transplantation: a multicenter survey in Europe.

Objectives: Epidemiology of candidacy for intestinal transplantation (ITx) and timing for referral for ITx are unknown. Patient candidacy and physician attitudes toward ITx were investigated among centers that participated in previous European surveys on home parenteral nutrition (HPN).

Methods: Patients on HPN for benign intestinal failure (IF) were evaluated by a structured questionnaire.

Monitoring of patients on home parenteral nutrition (HPN) in Europe: a questionnaire based study on monitoring practice in 42 centres.

Introduction & Aim: To gather information about how adult patients on home parenteral nutrition (HPN) are monitored after discharge from the hospital.

Method: A questionnaire about HPN monitoring practice was circulated to HPN centres in eight European countries through the representative of the ESPEN HAN-working group. Centres were asked about guidelines, home visits and how monitoring and handling of complications were managed.