Needs-based quality of life in adults dependent on home parenteral nutrition.

Background & Aims: Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) provides life sustaining treatment for people with chronic intestinal failure. Individuals may require HPN for months or years and are dependent on regular intravenous infusions, usually 12-14 h overnight between 1 and 7 days each week. This regime can have adverse impact on the life of people dependent on the treatment.

BAPEN: what is it, what does it do, and what can it do for you?

Dr Tim Bowling, Chair of BAPEN, introduces the Association's key goals and strategies for the year ahead, and discusses the role of community nurses in meeting these goals.

Four-week parenteral nutrition using a third generation lipid emulsion (SMOFlipid)--a double-blind, randomised, multicentre study in adults.

Precis: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and tolerance of a soybean/MCT/olive/fish oil emulsion in intestinal failure patients on long-term parenteral nutrition. 73 patients took part in a randomized, double-blind, multi-centre study. The study demonstrates that the lipid emulsion containing four different types of oils is safe and well tolerated in long-term PN.

Crohn's disease or TB--the perennial question and diagnostic pitfalls.

A previously healthy 28-year old lady from Saudi Arabia presented with recurrent peri-anal abscesses progressing to fistula-in-ano. These were treated with incision and drainages and with setonisation of the fistula. Multiple biopsy and culture specimens were taken to rule out tuberculosis (TB) or Crohn's disease - all showed granulomatous disease suggestive of either Crohn's or TB, no mycobacteria were grown.

Does looped nasogastric tube feeding improve nutritional delivery for patients with dysphagia after acute stroke? A randomised controlled trial.

Background: nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding is commonly used after stroke, but its effectiveness is limited by frequent dislodgement.

Objective: the objective of the study was to evaluate looped NGT feeding in acute stroke patients with dysphagia.

Methods: this was a randomised controlled trial of 104 patients with acute stroke fed by NGT in three UK stroke units.

Tube feeding with a diabetes-specific feed for 12 weeks improves glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes patients.

Background And Aims: Assess longer-term (12 weeks) effects of a diabetes-specific feed on postprandial glucose response, glycaemic control (HbA1c), lipid profile, (pre)-albumin, clinical course and tolerance in diabetic patients.

Methods: In this randomized, controlled, double-blind, parallel group study 25 type 2 diabetic patients on tube feeding were included. Patients received a soy-protein based, multi-fibre diabetes-specific feed or isocaloric, fibre-containing standard feed for 12 weeks, while continuing on their anti-diabetic medication.

The effects of bolus and continuous nasogastric feeding on gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastric emptying in healthy volunteers: a randomised three-way crossover pilot study.

Background & Aims: Nasogastric feeding may result in gastro-oesophageal reflux and, therefore, increase the risk of aspiration. This may be greater when feeds are administered via a bolus than by infusion. We aimed to measure gastric emptying time and quantify gastro-oesophageal reflux in healthy volunteers given a liquid feed via an oral bolus (OB), a nasogastric tube bolus (TB) and a nasogastric tube drip (TD).

Is looped nasogastric tube feeding more effective than conventional nasogastric tube feeding for dysphagia in acute stroke?

Background: Dysphagia occurs in up to 50% of patients admitted to hospital with acute strokes with up to 27% remaining by seven days. Up to 8% continue to have swallowing problems six months after their stroke with 1.7% still requiring enteral feeding.