Trace element deficiencies in long-term tube fed patients

Abstract

Summary Background & aims There is a high risk for trace element deficiencies in long-term tube fed patients but assessment for trace elements status has been neglected in Korea. The aim of this study was to find the feature of trace element deficiencies such as iron, copper, zinc and selenium in long-term tube fed patients. Methods Data from 44 patients who were under tube feeding for ≥4 weeks were finally used, then patients were divided into 3 groups by the tube feeding period: 1–2 months group, 2–6 months group, and >6 months group. The blood levels of iron, copper, zinc and selenium were measured. Results The rates of total subjects with iron, copper, zinc, and selenium deficiencies were 22.7%, 4.5%, 26.6% and 9.1%, respectively. Overall, zinc deficiency was the most severe among trace elements. In analysis for ORs, ORs for blood levels of zinc, selenium and copper were significantly decreased with increasing of tube feeding periods after adjustment for confounding factors (all P for trend Conclusions The deficiencies of trace element were substantial in long-term tube fed patients. The risk of zinc, selenium and copper deficiencies may increase with prolonged tube feeding periods. Therefore, closely monitoring for trace elements should be implemented for long-term tube fed patients to prevent trace elements deficiencies.