The prevalence of artificially administered nutrition and hydration in different age groups among patients with advanced cancer admitted to palliative care units

Abstract

Background & Aims: The prevalence of artificially administered nutrition and hydration (AANH) in different age groups among patients with advanced cancer remains unknown. The present study investigated the current utilization of AANH according to age groups in palliative care units. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study. We obtained information on primary nutritional administration routes during the first week of admission and data on the averaged calorie sufficiency rate or total calorie intake on the 7th day of admission. Patients were divided into five age groups ( 18e39, 40e59, 60e74, 75e89, and 90-years). Among patients receiving AANH, the proportions of higher-calorie AANH were compared between the five age groups. Results: A total of 1453 patients were included. The proportion of patients categorized as receiving nutrition and hydration via the parenteral route was the highest in the 18e39 and 40e59 groups (52.4 and 41.1%, respectively). Among patients receiving AANH (n ¼ 534), the proportions of patients categorized into the <25% or <250 kcal/day group were 57.9% in all groups, 18.2% in the 18e39 group, and 50.0e66.4% in the other groups. The proportions of 50% or 500 kcal/day and 25% or 250 kcal/day in each age group significantly decreased with age (p ¼ 0.003 and 0.002, respectively). Conclusion:The present results revealed large variations in the use of AANH in different age groups and indicate that AANH was more frequently utilized in younger age groups in palliative care units.

Biceps brachii muscle cross‐sectional area measured by ultrasonography is independently associated with one‐month mortality: A prospective observational study

“…In a recent study determining the utilization of artificially administered nutrition classified to age groups in palliative care units, patients were categorized according to the average calorie sufficiency rate or total calorie intake. The proportions of the patients categorized into ≥50% or ≥ 500 kcal/day were 23.5% in the 60–74 years group and 14% in the 75–89 years group during the first week of admission 39 . In another study identifying the effects of enteral tube feeding (ETF) and parenteral nutrition and hydration (PNH) on survival in palliative care patients with head and neck cancer (mean age of 71.5 ± 12.1 years), 48.9% of the patients had a ≥ 50% or 500 kcal/day calorie sufficiency rate or total calorie intake on day seven 40 .…”

“…The proportions of the patients categorized into ≥50% or ≥ 500 kcal/day were 23.5% in the 60-74 years group and 14% in the 75-89 years group during the first week of admission. 39 In another study identifying the effects of enteral tube feeding (ETF) and parenteral nutrition and hydration (PNH) on survival in palliative care patients with head and neck cancer (mean age of 71.5 ± 12.1 years), 48.9% of the patients had a ≥ 50% or 500 kcal/day calorie sufficiency rate or total calorie intake on day seven. 40 In a previous study, the mean calorie intake of the patients hospitalized in palliative care was 1273 kcal/day.…”

Psychosocial Factors and the Need for Multidisciplinary Support in Nutrition Counselling for Cancer Chemotherapy Patients

“…Chemotherapy causes nutrition impact symptoms (NIS), such as taste disorder, olfactory disorder, and constipation [ 1 , 2 ], and can aggravate pre-existing nutritional issues [ 3 , 4 ]. Studies have shown that 50–80% of patients with advanced cancer experience cachexia, a systemic metabolic disorder characterized by weight loss and loss of skeletal muscle mass, which affects their quality of life (QOL) [ 5 ].…”