Parenteral nutrition and bioelectrical impedance analysis estimated fat-free mass in adult patients with chronic intestinal failure: A descriptive cohort study.

Background: In patients with chronic intestinal failure, the content and type of parenteral nutrition are individually determined based on various factors, including body composition. In clinical practice, bioelectrical impedance analysis is used to assess body composition using standardized protocols. However, these protocols lack specific recommendations for patients receiving parenteral nutrition.

Glepaglutide, a Long-acting Glucagon-like Peptide-2 Analog, Reduces Parenteral Support in Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome: a Phase 3, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Background And Aims: Glepaglutide is a long-acting GLP-2 analog developed to improve intestinal absorption in short bowel syndrome (SBS) patients. We conducted a trial to establish efficacy and safety of glepaglutide in reducing parenteral support (PS) needs in SBS patients with intestinal failure (IF).

Methods: In an international, placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, phase 3 trial, SBS-IF patients requiring PS ≥3 days/week were randomized 1:1:1 to 24 weeks of glepaglutide 10 mg twice-weekly (TW) or once-weekly (OW), or placebo.

Safe and well-tolerated long-term parenteral nutrition regimen: Omega-3-fatty-acid-enriched medium chained/ long chained triglycerides emulsion.

Background And Aims: A limited number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have examined the use of lipid emulsions (LEs) of different compositions in home parenteral nutrition (HPN), and there are very few data on the long-term use of omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The study's objective was to assess safety and tolerability of an n-3 PUFA-enriched LE in adult patients suffering from chronic intestinal failure (CIF) requiring long-term HPN.

Methods: In this prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind, multicentre, international clinical trial, which was conducted at eleven sites, adult patients in need of HPN including lipids received either the investigational product, an n-3 PUFA-enriched medium/long-chain triglyceride (MCT/LCT) LE, or the reference product, a standard MCT/LCT LE, for an average duration of eight weeks.

Quality-of-care standards in adult type 3 intestinal failure caused by benign disease: A European society of clinical nutrition and metabolism (ESPEN) position paper.

Background: Outcomes related to chronic intestinal failure (CIF) vary significantly within and between countries. While there are extensive European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) guidelines on the delivery of optimal care in CIF, there are no international consensus recommendations on the structure or resources required, nor on the process and appropriate outcome measures for delivering such quality care in CIF.

Aim: The aim of this position paper is therefore to devise ESPEN-endorsed, internationally agreed quality of care standards, covering the resources, systems and standards that centres should aim for in order to deliver optimal CIF care.

Operational recommendations for the implementation of home parenteral nutrition program of care according to the guidelines of the European society for clinical nutrition and metabolism.

Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is a complex therapy, which requires dedicated facilities and expertise. However, the management and provision of HPN differs significantly between countries and between HPN centers within countries. These differences lead to heterogeneity in the quality of care received by patients, with variable impact on the appropriateness, safety, and effectiveness of HPN, and resultant variability in the quality of life that a patient may expect.

Avoiding the use of long-term parenteral support in patients without intestinal failure: A position paper from the European Society of Clinical Nutrition & Metabolism, the European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility and the Rome Foundation for Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction.

The role of long-term parenteral support in patients with underlying benign conditions who do not have intestinal failure (IF) is contentious, not least since there are clear benefits in utilising the oral or enteral route for nutritional support. Furthermore, the risks of long-term home parenteral nutrition (HPN) are significant, with significant impacts on morbidity and mortality. There has, however, been a recent upsurge of the use of HPN in patients with conditions such as gastro-intestinal neuromuscular disorders, opioid bowel dysfunction, disorders of gut-brain interaction and possibly eating disorders, who do not have IF.

Body composition of adults with chronic intestinal failure receiving home parenteral nutrition: A descriptive cohort study.

Background: Chronic intestinal failure (CIF) refers to the long-lasting reduction of gut function below the minimum necessary to absorb macronutrients, water, and/or electrolytes. Patients with CIF likely develop various forms of malnutrition and dehydration, yet studies that focus primarily on body composition are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the body composition of adult patients with CIF.

Avoiding the use of long-term parenteral support in patients without intestinal failure: A position paper from the European Society of Clinical Nutrition & Metabolism, the European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility and the Rome Foundation for Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction.

The role of long-term parenteral support in patients with underlying benign conditions who do not have intestinal failure (IF) is contentious, not least since there are clear benefits in utilising the oral or enteral route for nutritional support. Furthermore, the risks of long-term home parenteral nutrition (HPN) are significant, with significant impacts on morbidity and mortality. There has, however, been a recent upsurge of the use of HPN in patients with conditions such as gastro-intestinal neuromuscular disorders, opioid bowel dysfunction, disorders of gut-brain interaction and possibly eating disorders, who do not have IF.

Patients' and caregivers' perspective on challenges and outcomes with tube feeding: Analysis of home enteral nutrition survey data.

Background: Given the growing use of home enteral nutrition (HEN), assessing the experience of consumers and caregivers is crucial to understanding the real-world subjective and objective challenges of administering HEN.

Methods: After obtaining institutional review board approval, a survey was distributed to HEN consumers and caregivers between January 16, 2020, and July 16, 2021. Data collected included information regarding demographics, primary diagnosis, tube and connectors, HEN regimen, and overall HEN experience.

ddPCR enables rapid detection of bloodstream infections in patients on home parenteral nutrition: A prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Chronic intestinal failure patients (CIF) require a central venous access device (CVAD) to administer parenteral nutrition. Most serious complication related to a CVAD is a central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). The golden standard to diagnose a CLABSI are blood cultures, however, they may require 1-5 days before getting a result.

Superior vena cava syndrome in chronic intestinal failure patients: When the going gets tough.

Background & Aims: Catheter-related venous thrombosis is a severe complication of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) with potentially devastating consequences such as superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS). Early recognition and awareness of factors leading to its development are of paramount importance. However, studies are lacking in HPN patients focusing on this topic.

Genomic Characterization of Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Carriage in Patients on Home Parenteral Nutrition and Their Caregivers.

In this prospective study, patients on home parenteral nutrition were twice as likely to be colonized with Staphylococcus aureus if their caregivers were carriers. Among S. aureus-positive patients and their caregivers, molecular analysis showed 68% genetically related strains.

Having breakfast has no clinically relevant effect on bioelectrical impedance measurements in healthy adults.

Background: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is commonly used to evaluate body composition as part of nutritional assessment. Current guidelines recommend performing BIA measurements in a fasting state of at least 2 h in a clinical setting and 8 h in a research setting. However, since asking patients with malnutrition or sarcopenia to fast is not desirable and literature to support the strategy in the guidelines is lacking, this study aimed to assess the impact of breakfast on BIA measurements.

A multi-national survey of experience and attitudes towards managing catheter related blood stream infections for home parenteral nutrition.

Background And Aims: Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is the most common complication of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) in patients with chronic intestinal failure (CIF). The aim of this study was to assess the broad range of practices of international multi-disciplinary teams involved in the care of this complication occurring in CIF patients.

Design: An online questionnaire was designed and distributed to members of the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) and distributed to colleagues involved in managing patients with CIF.

ESPEN guideline on chronic intestinal failure in adults - Update 2023.

Background & Aims: In 2016, ESPEN published the guideline for Chronic Intestinal Failure (CIF) in adults. An updated version of ESPEN guidelines on CIF due to benign disease in adults was devised in order to incorporate new evidence since the publication of the previous ESPEN guidelines.

Methods: The grading system of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) was used to grade the literature.

Experience and opinions relating to pregnancy in patients with chronic intestinal failure: an international survey.

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.

Oral antimicrobial agents in patients with short bowel syndrome: worth a try!

Background: The use of oral antimicrobial agents in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) is challenging due to the changes in gastrointestinal anatomy that may result in diminished absorption and altered drug bioavailability. Prospective studies evaluating bioavailability of antimicrobial agents after oral administration in SBS patients are lacking.

Objectives: To determine the bioavailability of orally administered antimicrobial agents commonly used for treatment in SBS patients to guide clinical decision making when faced with infections.

Randomized clinical trial: Long-term Staphylococcus aureus decolonization in patients on home parenteral nutrition.

Background & Aims: Staphylococcus aureus decolonization has proven successful in prevention of S. aureus infections and is a key strategy to maintain venous access and avoid hospitalization in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN). We aimed to determine the most effective and safe long-term S.

Outcomes and survival in patients with advanced intestinal neuroendocrine tumours on home parenteral nutrition, an international multicentre retrospective cohort study.

Background And Aims: Only limited information is available on the use of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) causing intestinal failure (IF). This study aims to report the outcomes of the explore the use of HPN in this patient cohort, in the largest case series to date.

Methods: A retrospective study in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands was performed, using the UK National British Artificial Nutrition Survey (BANS) and local databases in the Netherlands.

Berlin Bowel Bothers: Might Adolf Hitler's Gut Problems Have Been Parkinson-Related?

It has been argued that Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) had Parkinson's disease. He also experienced several gastrointestinal symptoms, for which various explanations have been sought, both contemporaneously and by later authors. In this Historical Note, a possible relationship between Hitler's Parkinson's disease and his gastrointestinal symptoms is explored.

ESPEN practical guideline: Home parenteral nutrition.

This guideline will inform physicians, nurses, dieticians, pharmacists, caregivers and other home parenteral nutrition (HPN) providers, as well as healthcare administrators and policy makers, about appropriate and safe HPN provision. This guideline will also inform patients requiring HPN. The guideline is based on previous published guidelines and provides an update of current evidence and expert opinion; it consists of 71 recommendations that address the indications for HPN, central venous access device (CVAD) and infusion pump, infusion catheter and CVAD site care, nutritional admixtures, program monitoring and management.

Antiseptic barrier caps to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Reliable and safe venous access is crucial for patients using central venous catheters (CVC). However, such CVCs carry a risk for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). Antiseptic barrier caps (ABCs) are a novel tool in the armamentarium for CVC disinfection.