Premium
Impact of Gastrostomy Feeding Tube Placement on the 1‐Year Trajectory of Care in Patients After Stroke
Author(s) -
Wilmskoetter Janina,
Simpson Annie N.,
Logan Sarah L.,
Simpson Kit N.,
Bonilha Heather S.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
nutrition in clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.725
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1941-2452
pISSN - 0884-5336
DOI - 10.1002/ncp.10015
Subject(s) - medicine , percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy , stroke (engine) , rehabilitation , gastrostomy , feeding tube , emergency medicine , peg ratio , physical therapy , surgery , mechanical engineering , finance , engineering , economics
Background Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding tubes are commonly placed in acute stroke patients with a need for enteral nutrition. However, PEG tubes are associated with medical complications and a decrease in quality of life. We compared the 1‐year care trajectory of stroke patients with and without PEG tube placement to enhance knowledge about the long‐term impact of PEG tube placement. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of commercially insured stroke patients included in the Truven Health MarketScan Research Databases of 2011. We analyzed their index hospital stay and conducted 1‐month, 3‐months, 6‐months, and 1‐year follow‐ups. We compared admissions to inpatient rehabilitation facilities, acute hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient hospital visits, and home visits for stroke patients with and without PEG tube placement using unadjusted and adjusted modelling. Results Of the 8911 included stroke patients, 148 patients (1.7%) had a PEG tube placed during their index hospital stay. After controlling for age, gender, stroke severity, comorbidities, and stroke type, PEG tube placement was an independent predictor for admissions to inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing facilities. Furthermore, PEG tube placement was an independent predictor for all‐cause, unplanned hospital readmissions in a multivariable logistic model (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was .84). Conclusion Stroke patients who receive a PEG tube can expect a significantly different care trajectory after being discharged from the acute hospital. Our findings can aide in predicting recovery and planning resources and identifying gaps and points for improvement in stroke care for patients with PEG tube placement.