The prevalence of artificially administered nutrition and hydration in different age groups among patients with advanced cancer admitted to palliative care units

Abstract

<h2>Summary</h2><h3>Background & Aims</h3> The prevalence of artificially administered nutrition and hydration (AANH) in different age groups among patients with advanced cancer remains unknown. The present study investigated the current utilization of AANH according to age groups in palliative care units. <h3>Methods</h3> This was a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study. We obtained information on primary nutritional administration routes during the first week of admission and data on the averaged calorie sufficiency rate or total calorie intake on the 7th day of admission. Patients were divided into five age groups (18–39, 40–59, 60–74, 75–89, and 90- years). Among patients receiving AANH, the proportions of higher-calorie AANH were compared between the five age groups. <h3>Results</h3> A total of 1453 patients were included. The proportion of patients categorized as receiving nutrition and hydration via the parenteral route was the highest in the 18–39 and 40–59 groups (52.4 and 41.1%, respectively). Among patients receiving AANH (n = 534), the proportions of patients categorized into the <25% or <250 kcal/day group were 57.9% in all groups, 18.2% in the 18–39 group, and 50.0–66.4% in the other groups. The proportions of ≥50% or ≥500 kcal/day and ≥25% or ≥250 kcal/day in each age group significantly decreased with age (p = 0.003 and 0.002, respectively). <h3>Conclusion</h3> The present results revealed large variations in the use of AANH in different age groups and indicate that AANH was more frequently utilized in younger age groups in palliative care units.