Enteral Tube Feeding Research Articles

Crushed posaconazole delayed-release tablets for antifungal prophylaxis and treatment in children.

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is recommended for posaconazole to achieve target concentrations of ≥0.7 mg/L and ≥1.0 mg/L for prophylaxis and treatment of invasive fungal infection (IFI), respectively. However, target attainment is challenging with the oral suspension, particularly in children. Here, we describe our experience using crushed delayed-release tablet (DRT) in a paediatric cohort, with a focus on TDM. We undertook a retrospective audit of crushed posaconazole DRT administration via enteral feeding tubes (EFTs) for patients aged ≤18 years over 18 months at The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne who had at least one trough concentration measured at steady state. Details of patient demographics, posaconazole dosing, monitoring and adverse effects were recorded. Twelve patients with a median age of 9 years (range 2 to 14) received posaconazole DRT via EFT for prophylaxis (n = 8) or treatment (n = 4). All children achieved target concentration, with a median dose of 7 mg/kg/day (range 5 to 11) for prophylaxis and 13 mg/kg/day (range 9 to 20) for treatment. The median time to reach therapeutic levels was 7 days (range 5 to 14) for prophylaxis and 20 days (range 15 to 35) for treatment. One child had blockage of their EFT, which was attributed to posaconazole. No other adverse effects were observed. Crushed posaconazole DRT administered via EFT may be used as a method of attaining therapeutic posaconazole concentrations in children for antifungal prophylaxis and treatment.

Enteric Tube Placement and Management: Tips for Interventional Radiologists

AbstractThere is a significant risk of malnutrition and aspiration among hospitalized patients, particularly the elderly, patients with head and neck malignancy, and those with a chronic debilitating disease. Enteral feeding is preferred over parenteral feeding for patients with functional gastrointestinal tracts but who have impaired swallowing due to its cost-effectiveness, lesser complications, and theoretical benefits such as preserving mucosal architecture and gut-associated lymphoid tissue. While nasogastric and nasojejunal tubes address short-term feeding needs, long-term enteral feeding tubes are crucial for patients requiring nutritional support beyond 4 weeks. Enteric tube placement can be performed surgically, endoscopically, or radiologically, with radiologically inserted gastrostomy emerging as a safe and effective method. This review article discusses various interventional radiological techniques for enteral feeding, including percutaneous gastrostomy, gastrojejunostomy, jejunostomy tube placement, and gastrointestinal tract decompression procedures like cecostomy. It covers procedural considerations, patient selection criteria, technical aspects, and outcomes, drawing on current evidence and clinical experience. The review also addresses emerging trends, advancements, and future directions in interventional radiology for enteral feeding and gastrointestinal tract decompression, aiming to contribute to the ongoing evolution of clinical practice and patient care. Key recommendations from international guidelines are summarized, emphasizing individualized risk assessment for optimal enteral feeding strategies.

Efficacy and Safety of Orogastric vs. Nasogastric Tube Feeding in Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Enteral nutrition can be delivered to the stomach using nasogastric or orogastric tubes, with each route having advantages and disadvantages. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of these methods on growth, development, and the incidence of adverse outcomes. Methods: This analysis included studies that enrolled preterm infants who received nasogastric or orogastric tube feeding. We searched databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Only randomized controlled trials were selected. We used version 2 of the Cochrane tool to assess the risk of bias in randomized trials and Review Manager 5.4 software to perform the meta-analysis. Results: Six studies involving 265 preterm infants were included. The meta-analysis showed that orogastric tube feeding took significantly longer to establish full enteral tube feeding compared to nasogastric tube feeding (MD = 1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.99–2.26, Z = 5.02, p < 0.01). However, no significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding time to regain birth weight (MD = −0.38, 95% CI: −2.2–1.44, Z = 5.02, p = 0.68). Data on adverse events were insufficient to perform a combined analysis. Conclusions: Preterm infants fed via nasogastric tubes took less time to reach full enteral feeding than those fed via orogastric tubes. Further research is required to evaluate the effect of feeding routes on adverse outcomes.

Blended diets for children and young people: applying the evidence to nursing practice.

Enteral tube feeding is commonly used for children and young people with complex health and care needs. Blended diets are becoming more widely used and there is increasing evidence to show the benefits of a blended diet for children, young people and their families. This article aims to collate recent evidence on blended diets and describe the implications for nursing practice. Studies exploring blended diets have identified benefits such as improved gastrointestinal symptoms, positive engagement with families around food and mealtimes and the normalisation of enteral tube feeding. Research has also explored the nutritional and microbial content of food blends as well as the viscosity and risk of tube blockage. These are key considerations when supporting families to make informed decisions and use blended diets safely. Nurses play an important role in supporting the safe and effective use of blended diets as part of a wider multidisciplinary team. It is necessary that they have an understanding of the evidence underpinning nursing practice in this area.

17 Caregiver experiences with enteral feeding transitions

Abstract Background Children with medical complexity (CMC) are an expanding group within paediatrics due to advances in medical care, often including a dependence on medical technology. Issues such as oromotor swallowing dysfunction and feeding difficulties are common in this population. As a result, many CMC require the use of enteral tubes for feeding. While evidence does support improved nutritional status with the use of enteral feeding tubes, there is limited literature discussing how these interventions impact other patient centered outcomes, such as quality of life for the child, changes in parental caregiving, and logistical implications for the family. A comprehensive understanding of the positive and negative outcomes associated with selection and transition between different feeding tube options is needed. Objectives To describe and explore the caregiver and patient experience with different feeding tubes, with a focus on the experience of transitioning between different enteral feeding modalities. Design/Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 participants, including both caregivers and two patients. Reflexive thematic analysis was utilized to identify preliminary themes from interviews. Themes were further refined by the study team. Results The themes identified through interviews included: A) the pros and cons with each type of enteral feeding modality, B) the emotional impacts on patients and caregivers, C) logistical impacts on day-to-day life for families, and D) the experience of transitioning between feeding tubes. Globally, participants spoke positively about their transition from nasogastric feeding to either gastrostomy or gastrojejunal feeding tubes. Caregivers also felt that they were integral to the decision-making process, though some felt in hindsight the transition process was too slow. Conclusion This study highlights both the complexity and heterogeneity of the caregiver experience with different feeding tubes. It found that most families consistently viewed their transitions with enteral feeding tubes positively, as this was seen as a significant milestone in helping their child both nutritionally and with their quality of life. Finally, further research could be done to explore experiences with gastrojejunal and jejunal feeding, as this patient population is not well elucidated within the literature.

Bacterial contamination of hospital-prepared enteral tube feeding formulas in Kerman, Iran

Background: Blenderized feedings continue to be used in most parts of Iran, mostly due to economic and cultural reasons. The most important problem of this kind of food is bacterial contamination. Materials and Methods: 54 samples were taken at the first and the last time of their giving to patients from blenderized food. Furthermore, 10 samples were collected from the commercial brand Fresubin® in the same way. Samples were brought to the laboratory and analyzed for the presence of some microbial pathogens. Results: Citrobacter diversus, Enterobacter cloacae, E.coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus sp, Klebsiella oxytoca, Hafnia alvei, Serratia sp, Shigella sonnei were identified from blenderized feeding. The mean bacterial contamination of 54 samples that were collected from 3 intensive care units was 5/5×106 CFU/ml. Bacterial contamination of commercial food was obtained less than 1 organism/ml. According to these results, there are significant differences between these foods. Commercial foods are the best choice for feeding patients in the hospital. Conclusion: The results indicated that a majority of the blenderized enteral tube feedings in those hospitals are not safe. In comparison to the standard limits, these enteral tube feedings are highly contaminated and pose a substantial risk of developing a foodborne disease or nosocomial infection.

Oropharyngeal dysphagia impact of pneumonia risk in neurological patients receiving enteral tube feeding: Insights from a gastroenterologist.

Oropharyngeal dysphagia is prevalent among neurological patients, often necessitating enteral tube feeding with a nasogastric tube (NGT) or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). These patients are at significant risk of developing aspiration pneumonia. This study aimed to assess the impact of oropharyngeal dysphagia on pneumonia risk requiring hospitalization in neurological patients on long-term enteral tube feeding. This retrospective observational study was conducted between 2015 and 2022. It included neurological patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy combined with a Modified Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (mFEES) for suspect dysphagia, characterized by difficulty or discomfort in swallowing. Participants were either orally fed or had been on long-term enteral tube feeding via NGT or PEG. A 2-year follow-up was conducted to monitor pneumonia cases requiring hospitalization. Multivariate analyses were conducted to identify risk factors for pneumonia requiring hospitalization. A total of 226 orally fed and 152 enteral tube-fed patients were enrolled. Multivariate analyses showed a significantly increased risk of pneumonia in patients with a history of pneumonia and those receiving enteral tube feeding. Subgroup analysis indicated a significantly lower risk of pneumonia among enteral tube-fed patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia who PEG-fed patients compared to NGT-fed patients (adjusted HR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.10-0.44, p < 0.001). The cumulative incidence of pneumonia requiring hospitalization was significantly lower in the PEG group than in the NGT group (p < 0.001). mFEES could be a screening tool for oropharyngeal dysphagia. PEG is preferred over NGT for long-term enteral feeding, as it significantly reduces the risk of pneumonia requiring hospitalization, especially in patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia.

The impact of an enteral formula with food-derived ingredients on dietetic practice at a specialist children's hospital in the UK: Retrospective study.

Blended tube feeds are reported to be better tolerated in some children compared to standard commercial enteral formulas, allowing children to normalise feeding by having similar foods as the rest of the family. However, a blended tube feed is contraindicated in patients who are immunocompromised or require post-pyloric feeding as a result of a food safety risk. Other contraindications for blended diet include children who require continuous pump feeding via gastrostomy or nasogastric feeding tube (< 12 Fr) and fluid restrictions. To meet the demands of consumers, manufacturers have developed enteral formulas with food-derived ingredients (EFI). Commercially available EFIs are relatively novel in the UK. The present study aimed to monitor the implementation of an EFI by dietitians in a specialist children's hospital. A single-centre retrospective study was conducted to monitor the dietetic practice of commencing a commercially available EFI (Compleat® paediatric; Nestlé Health Science; 1.2 kcal/ml with 14% food-derived ingredients). Using electronic medical notes, data were collected on all children who commenced an EFI via an enteral feeding tube in a specialist paediatric hospital between August 2022 and December 2023. Data were gathered on demographics (age, sex and primary diagnosis), anthropometric measurements (weight-for-age Z-score and height-for-age Z-score), feed regimens (feed volume, feeding route, mode of feeding [continuous, bolus]), gastrointestinal symptoms (gastro-oesophageal reflux, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, constipation and loose stools) and geographical discharge area for children on home enteral nutrition. Seventy children were included in the analysis. The mean ± SD age was 4.7 ± 6 years. The median admission weight-for-age Z-score was -1.50. The most common primary diagnosis was a neurological impairment in 37/70 (47%) children. Most children were fed via a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy 31/70 (44%) and 8/70 (11%) of the children fed directly into the jejunum. The most common reason being gastrointestinal symptoms, 58/70 (83%). The most common gastrointestinal symptom reported before commencing an EFI was loose stools in 22/58 (38%) children. Within 7 days of commencing an EFI, there was reported improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms in all categories. In total, 42/70 children were discharged on an EFI. In our specialist children's hospital, EFI is primarily implemented by dietitians in children who are already established on an enteral formula displaying gastrointestinal symptoms. However, dietitians are increasingly implementing an EFI as their first-line whole protein enteral formula. Furthermore, an EFI was also implemented as a compromise to a blended diet.

Challenges Patients Face When Transitioning from the Hospital into the Home Setting with an Enteral Feeding Tube and the Impact of Staffing a Home Enteral Nutrition Registered Dietitian Case Manager

Challenges Patients Face When Transitioning from the Hospital into the Home Setting with an Enteral Feeding Tube and the Impact of Staffing a Home Enteral Nutrition Registered Dietitian Case Manager

A single center exploratory pilot study to investigate durability, delivery accuracy and growth of pathogenic micro-organisms in enteral tube feeding sets for a period of use up to one week

A single center exploratory pilot study to investigate durability, delivery accuracy and growth of pathogenic micro-organisms in enteral tube feeding sets for a period of use up to one week

Preliminary findings from a multicentre study evaluating acceptability and gastrointestinal tolerance of a high-energy, plant-based enteral tube feed

Preliminary findings from a multicentre study evaluating acceptability and gastrointestinal tolerance of a high-energy, plant-based enteral tube feed

A survey of enteral feeding tube practice between nurses and pharmacists

A survey of enteral feeding tube practice between nurses and pharmacists

Relative Bioavailability of Sotorasib Following Administration as a Water Dispersion to Healthy Subjects and Compatibility With Enteral Administration.

Sotorasib is approved to be taken as 960mg orally once daily (8×120-mg tablets) for the treatment of KRAS G12C-mutated nonsmall cell lung cancer. Dispersion of tablets in water could be an alternative method for patients who require a liquid formulation due to dysphagia and enteral administration. A clinical study was conducted to assess the pharmacokinetics of 960mg of sotorasib administered as tablets and as tablets dispersed in water in healthy volunteers. Each subject received 960mg of sotorasib by mouth, as tablets and as tablets dispersed in water on Days 1 and 4. Sotorasib median time to maximum observed plasma concentration was similar when administered as tablets and as tablets predispersed in water. The geometric least squares mean ratios (water dispersion/tablets) for area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 extrapolated to infinity and maximum observed plasma concentration were 1.049 and 1.080, respectively. Sotorasib 960mg was well tolerated. Administration of 960mg of sotorasib as tablets predispersed in water achieved similar systemic exposures to that of sotorasib administered as oral tablets. In vitro evaluations were performed to assess the feasibility of administering sotorasib through an enteral feeding tube. Approximately 98% of sotorasib was recovered, with no new impurities, from enteral feeding tubes. Collectively, these results support that sotorasib can be administered by mouth and via enteral feeding tubes as tablets predispersed in water.

A systematic review and quality appraisal of guidelines and recommendations for home enteral tube feeding in adults.

Home Enteral Tube Feeding (HETF) is a viable option for people within primary care settings when oral intake is insufficient to meet nutritional needs. As HETF is not a risk-free therapy, guidelines exist to enable its safe provision. This review aims to summarise existing guidelines and their recommendations pertaining to the provision of HETF and appraise their methodological quality. A systematic review was conducted according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews, PRISMA-checklist and a 2019 methodological guide specific to the review of clinical practice guidelines (PROSPERO registration: CRD42023456223). Records were sourced from five bibliographical databases (Medline, Embase, PsychINFO, Scopus, Cinahl) and the grey literature (64 websites, seven guideline repositories). The AGREE-II tool was applied to eligible guidelines. The recommendations of guidelines meeting a predetermined threshold score (domain 3 'rigour of development' score >70%) were extracted, grouped, and assessed using the AGREE-REX tool. A total of 2707 records were screened with 15 guidelines meeting eligibility criteria. The median (IQR) overall AGREE-II score (/7) of all guidelines was 3 (3-5) and only 3/15 guidelines achieved a domain 3 score >70%. The median (IQR) overall AGREE-REX score was 33% (26-37%). No recommendation group achieved a domain score above 70%. No guideline or recommendation group was suggested for use without modification. Key limitations included suboptimal stakeholder involvement and implementability, and lack of methodological transparency. Current HETF guidelines inadequately align with methodological standards. This review highlights key areas HETF guideline developers should consider to create more relevant and implementable guidelines.

Early Oral Feeding is Safe and Comfortable in Patients with Gastric Cancer Undergoing Radical Total Gastrectomy

Data supporting the safety and clinical efficacy of early oral feeding (EOF) after total gastrectomy are limited. The aim of this prospective randomized controlled study was to explore the safety and clinical efficacy of two early enteral nutrition approaches for gastric cancer patients after radical total gastrectomy. The EOF group had faster postoperative recovery of intestinal function than the enteral tube feeding (ETF) group. The times to first flatus and first defecation were shorter in the EOF group (p < 0.05). In addition, the EOF protocol effectively avoided abdominal distension (p < 0.05). The hospitalization cost of the EOF group was lower than that of the ETF group (p < 0.05). Moreover, oral nutrition satisfied the physiological need for oral intake. People were more satisfied with EOF (p < 0.01). Furthermore, it is worth noting that compared with ETF, EOF did not increase the risk of anastomotic complications such as leakage and bleeding. Most obviously, EOF not only avoided the risk of complications during tube insertion, but also avoided the discomfort experience of nasal feeding tube. In summary, compared with ETF, EOF promotes early bowel recovery effectively without increasing the risk of postoperative complications. It is safe and comfortable for gastric cancer patients undergoing radical total gastrectomy.

Association between new insertion of a long-term enteral feeding tube and mortality in adults admitted to the hospital with aspiration: A retrospective cohort study.

We aimed to describe the association between insertion of a new long-term enteral feeding tube during admission for aspiration and in-hospital mortality. This retrospective cohort study across 28 Canadian hospitals from 2015 to 2022 included consecutive patients who were admitted for aspiration. Patients were categorized based on new long-term enteral feeding tube insertion during hospital stay or not. The primary outcome was the time to death in hospital. Secondary outcomes included time to discharge alive and hospital readmission for aspiration within 90 days. We used propensity score weighting to balance covariates, and a competing risk model to describe in-hospital death and discharge. Of 12,850 patients admitted for aspiration, 852 (6.6%) patients received a long-term enteral feeding tube. In the hospital, 184 (21.6%) and 2489 (20.8%) patients in the enteral feeding tube group and no enteral feeding tube group died, respectively. Within 90 days of discharge, 127 (14.9%) and 1148 (9.6%) patients in the enteral feeding tube and no enteral feeding tube group were readmitted for aspiration, respectively. After balancing covariates, an enteral feeding tube was associated with a similar in-hospital mortality risk (subdistribution hazard ratio [sHR] = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.89-1.23; P = 0.5800), longer time to discharge alive (sHR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.54-0.63; P < 0.0001), and a higher risk of readmission (risk difference = 5.0%, 95% CI = 2.4%-7.6%; P = 0.0001). Initiation of long-term enteral tube feeding was not uncommon after admission for aspiration and was not associated with an improvement in the probability of being discharged alive from the hospital or readmitted for aspiration.

Research report: Management of dysphagia using pharyngeal electrical stimulation in the general intensive care population – A service development

Background: Dysphagia places a substantial burden on the critically ill, affecting 12%–84% of this cohort, and is independently associated with worse outcomes. Pharyngeal electrical stimulation (PES-treatment) is a novel dysphagia therapy with an emerging evidence base. This retrospective observational study describes our dysphagia service and reports the use of PES-treatment as a standard of care in recovering critically ill patients at a single-site tertiary UK hospital. Methods: Patients admitted to Acute or Cardio-Thoracic adult intensive care units between 1st July 2017 and 30th June 2022 were routinely referred to Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) following tracheostomy, or suspected dysphonia/dysphagia. Clinical assessments and direct laryngeal visualisation using Fibreoptic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) were performed. Severe dysphagia was defined as Penetration-Aspiration Score of ⩾6 and patients were offered PES-treatment when staffing allowed. Results: Of 289 patients with severe dysphagia, 19 underwent a course of PES-treatment with the remaining patients receiving standard care. PES-treatment patients were significantly less likely to remain nil-by-mouth (11.1% vs 62.5%, Chi2 p &lt; 0.001) or to have an enteral feeding tube in situ at discharge from critical care (27.8% vs 62.5%, p = 0.006) than those receiving standard dysphagia care. Both groups demonstrated an improvement in Penetration-Aspiration Score at repeat FEES: PES-treatment mean difference −2.0 ( p = 0.003); non-PES-treatment −1.68 ( p &lt; 0.001); (61% PES-treatment improved vs 40% non-PES-treatment, p = 0.09). Conclusion: Our observations suggest that PES may be effective in the general critical care population. PES may offer new treatment options for patients and healthcare staff managing severe dysphagia and its significant consequences.

Characterization of Liquid Dosage Forms of Atenolol and Enalapril Maleate for Oral and Enteral Feeding Administration.

The limited availability of pharmaceutical formulations tailored for cardiovascular diseases in both pediatric and geriatric populations generates the need for compounded dosage forms to guarantee precise dosing and medication adherence. This study aimed to analyze the physicochemical properties and stability of formulations of atenolol and enalapril maleate prepared with a proprietary oral vehicle, SuspendIt®. To this end, palatability, injectability, pH, rheological behavior, and physical, microbiological, and chemical stability over a 180-day storage period at 25 °C and 5 °C were evaluated. Injectability tests confirmed the suitable use of both formulations for administration through enteral feeding tubes. By using a potentiometric electronic tongue, it was confirmed that the SuspendIt® vehicle effectively served as a bitter-blocking strategy for atenolol and enalapril maleate. Adequate stability throughout the storage period was confirmed in terms of the mechanical properties, pH, and effectiveness of the preservative system. The atenolol concentration remained above 90% of the initial amount, while the concentration of enalapril maleate decreased to 88% after 90 days of storage at 25 °C. In summary, the atenolol formulation maintained suitable chemical, physical, and microbiological stability after 180 days at both storage temperatures, while the enalapril maleate formulation remained stable up to 60 days at 25 °C and for 180 days at 5 °C.

Enteral tube feeding practices and associated factors among nurses working in South Wollo Zone Specialized and General Hospitals, Wollo, Ethiopia, 2022.

Enteral tube feeding is recommended as a route for nutrient delivery in critically ill patients. The practice of enteral tube feeding by nurses significantly influences patient treatment outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the practices of enteral tube feeding and the associated factors among nurses working in South Wollo Zone Specialized and General Hospitals, Wollo, Ethiopia, 2022. A hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted on 420 nurses from 1st August to 1st September 2022. Simple random sampling methods were used to select study participants. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and an observational checklist. The data were entered into Epi Data version 4.6 and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Variables with a p-value <0.05, a 95% confidence interval, and an adjusted odd ratio were considered to be significantly associated with enteral tube feeding practice. A total of 400 nurses participated in the study, yielding a 95.2% response rate. The overall good practice of enteral tube feeding among nurses was 114 (28.5%) with a 95% CI of 23.8-33. Enteral tube feeding practice was significantly associated with a lack of adequate resources (AOR = 0.359, 95% CI: 0.192-0.673), unfamiliarity with current guidelines (AOR = 0.346, 95% CI: 0.203-0.586), lack of awareness (AOR = 0.511, 95% CI: 0.306-0.673) and the thermal effect of food (AOR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.348-0.889). The enteral tube feeding practice among nurses was found to be 28.5%. Significant determinants of enteral tube feeding practice included a lack of awareness, inadequate resources in the institution, and unfamiliarity with the current guidelines for enteral feeding. To improve enteral feeding practices, it is recommended that sufficient resources be provided, guidelines be made readily available, and training programs be conducted for the nursing staff.

Characteristics of older adults receiving enteral feeding at a geriatric medical center

BackgroundMalnutrition is a prevalent and hard-to-treat condition in older adults. enteral feeding is common in acute and long-term care. Data regarding the prognosis of patients receiving enteral feeding in geriatric medical settings is lacking. Such data is important for decision-making and preliminary instructions for patients, caregivers, and physicians. This study aimed to evaluate the prognosis and risk factors for mortality among older adults admitted to a geriatric medical center receiving or starting enteral nutrition (EN).MethodsA cohort retrospective study, conducted from 2019 to 2021. Patients admitted to our geriatric medical center who received EN were included. Data was collected from electronic medical records including demographic, clinical, and blood tests, duration of enteral feeding, Norton scale, and Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire score. Mortality was assessed during and after hospitalization. Data were compared between survivors and non-survivors. Multivariate logistic regressions were performed to identify the variables most significantly associated with in-hospital mortality.ResultsOf 9169 patients admitted, 124 (1.35%) received enteral feeding tubes. More than half of the patients (50.8%) had polypharmacy (over 8 medications), 62% suffered from more than 10 chronic illnesses and the majority of patients (122/124) had a Norton scale under 14. Most of the patients had a nasogastric tube (NGT) (95/124) and 29 had percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies (PEGs). Ninety patients (72%) died during the trial period with a median follow-up of 12.7 months (0.1–62.9 months) and one-year mortality was 16% (20/124). Associations to mortality were found for marital status, oxygen use, and Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW). Age and poly-morbidity were not associated with mortality.ConclusionIn patients receiving EN at a geriatric medical center mortality was lower than in a general hospital. The prognosis remained grim with high mortality rates and low quality of life. This data should aid decision-making and promote preliminary instructions.