Continuous versus bolus tube feeds: Does the modality affect glycemic variability, tube feeding volume, caloric intake, or insulin utilization?

Abstract

Introduction:Enteral nutrition (EN) is very important to optimizing outcomes in critical illness. Debate exists regarding the best strategy for enteral tube feeding (TF), with concerns that bolus TF (BTF) may increase glycemic variability (GV) but result in fewer nutritional interruptions than continuous TF (CTF). This study examines if there is a difference in GV, insulin usage, TF volume, and caloric delivery among intensive care patients receiving BTF versus CTF. We hypothesize that there are no significant differences between CTF and BTF when comparing the above parameters.Materials and Methods:Prospective, randomized pilot study of critically ill adult patients undergoing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement for EN was performed between March 1, 2012 and May 15, 2014. Patients were randomized to BTF or CTF. Glucose values, insulin use, TF volume, and calories administered were recorded. Data were organized into 12-h epochs for statistical analyses and GV determination. In addition, time to ≥80% nutritional delivery goal, demographics, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores, and TF interruptions were examined. When performing BTF versus CTF assessments, continuous parameters were compared using Mann–Whitney U-test or repeated measures t-test, as appropriate. Categorical data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test.Results:No significant demographic or physiologic differences between the CTF (n = 24) and BTF (n = 26) groups were seen. The immediate post-PEG 12-h epoch showed significantly lower GV and median TF volume for patients in the CTF group. All subsequent epochs (up to 18 days post-PEG) showed no differences in GV, insulin use, TF volume, or caloric intake. Insulin use for both groups increased when comparing the first 24 h post-PEG values to measurements from day 8. There were no differences in TF interruptions, time to ≥80% nutritional delivery goal, or hypoglycemic episodes.Conclusions:This study demonstrated no clinically relevant differences in GV, insulin use, TF volume or caloric intake between BTF and CTF groups. Despite some shortcomings, our data suggest that providers should not feel limited to BTF or CTF because of concerns for GV, time to goal nutrition, insulin use, or caloric intake, and should consider other factors such as resource utilization, ease of administration, and/or institutional/patient characteristics.

From Best Evidence to Best Practice: Enteral Nutrition from Continuous Nasal Feeding in Stroke Patients

“…Some studies have shown that continuous nasal feeding has advantages over intermittent nasal feeding and can effectively improve the quality of nursing. 18 – 20 In this study, evidence-based continuous nasal feeding practice was introduced into clinical practice, which can enable nurses to better understand evidence-based nursing and solidify nursing behavior in their daily work. This not only updated nurses’ knowledge of evidence-based continuous nasal feeding but also significantly improved their compliance.…”

Complicanze legate alla modalità di somministrazione della Nutrizione Enterale: implicazioni cliniche nella pratica infermieristica. Revisione della letteratura

“…I risultati hanno mostrato che l'alimentazione continua era stata più efficace sulla gestione e sulla stabilità della glicemia. Uno studio pilota prospettico randomizzato di Evans et al (2016) [11] effettuato su 50 soggetti in UTI chirurgica con PEG, hanno valutato l'impatto della NE sull'utilizzo dell'insulina e il tasso glicemico e concludono dicendo che non ci sono state differenze statistiche per età, sesso, punteggi APACHE II, punteggi di SAPS II, punteggi GCS, indice di massa corporea e intervalli di controllo dell'insulina nei due gruppi. Non ci sono state differenze statisticamente significative per quanto riguarda i risultati del: tempo medio del raggiungimento per l'obiettivo nutrizione ≥ 80%, interruzioni della NE e incidenza di ipoglicemia (≤75 mg/dl).…”

A more physiological feeding process in ICU

“…It also requires the subject to be attached to an infusion pump for significant periods of time. [ 1 ] Intermittent infusion mimics a more physiologic feeding process that allows greater subject mobility. Patients may also reach target enteral calories earlier [ 2 ] and decrease length of stay (LOS) and mortality.…”