Premium
Nutritional status and quality of life in a cohort of A ustralian home parenteral nutrition patients: A pilot study
Author(s) -
Schliefert Emma,
Carey Sharon
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.479
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1747-0080
pISSN - 1446-6368
DOI - 10.1111/1747-0080.12078
Subject(s) - medicine , anthropometry , quality of life (healthcare) , parenteral nutrition , grip strength , cohort , body mass index , percentile , physical therapy , population , referral , cohort study , gerontology , pediatrics , environmental health , family medicine , nursing , mathematics , statistics
Aim Home parenteral nutrition ( HPN ) impacts on nutritional status and subsequent quality of life. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the nutritional status and quality of life in a cohort of patients receiving home parenteral nutrition in a tertiary referral hospital, and the relationship between these two outcome measures. Methods Outpatients attending an intestinal failure clinic were recruited. Nutritional assessment included anthropometrics, S ubjective G lobal A ssessment and total dietary intake. Self‐administered symptom and quality of life questionnaires were administered. Nutritional status, quality of life and the association between the two measures were statistically analysed. Results S ubjective G lobal A ssessment, body mass index, overall energy and protein intake indicated adequate nourishment. Clear gender differences were seen when assessing weight gain while on home parenteral nutrition. Males gained 15% body weight since commencement of HPN , while females lost −4%. Median female triceps skinfold and male mid‐arm muscle circumference were below the 10th percentile, and grip strength was 50% of the predicted value. Quality of life was low compared with A ustralian norm values. Higher grip strength was associated with higher quality of life ( P < 0.05). Conclusions Males on HPN are gaining weight on treatment while females are not. All have lower muscle mass, muscle strength and quality of life measures compared with the normal population. Current international clinical practice guidelines do not include exercise or rehabilitative recommendations that could potentially enhance patients' physical function and overall quality of life.