Incidence and risk factors for nasoenteral tube-related mechanical complications in a double cohort

Introduction: nasoenteral tube-related mechanical complications are feared and little is known about their incidence and the risk factors associated with them. Objective: to evaluate the incidence of nasoenteral tube-related mechanical complications and the risk factors associated with them. Methods: a prospective double cohort of adult patients who used nasoenteral tube and were inpatients in nursing wards at a Brazilian high-complexity hospital. Data were collected daily. Cox regression and Generalized Estimating Equations were applied in the statistical analysis. Results: the sample was 494 patients, or 3,676 patient days. Traction (33 %) and obstruction (3.4 %) were frequent. Inadequate positioning of the distal end of the device and bleeding in the nasal mucosa occurred once each (0.2 %). There was no bronchoaspiration. Traction was associated with a history of stroke (HR: 1.69; 95 % CI: 1.09 to 2.64; p = 0.020), a higher score on the Glasgow Coma Scale (RR: 1.09; 95 % CI: 1.03 to 1.15; p = 0.002), and older age (RR: 1.02; 95 % CI: 1.00 to 1.04; p = 0.049). Being admitted to hospital already with the tube on (HR: 3.56; 95 % CI: 1.31 to 9.66; p = 0.013) and having opioids administered in the form of pills (RR: 6.09; 95 % CI: 1.37 to 27.2; p = 0.018) were risk factors for obstruction. Conclusion: traction or removal and obstruction of the device were frequent. A history of stroke, higher score on the Glasgow Coma Scale, and older age were risk factors for traction, whereas obstruction was more common in patients who already had the tube on at admission to the nursing ward, and who had opioids in the form of pills administered via the tube.