Understanding the use and tolerance of a pediatric and an adult commercial blenderized enteral formula through real‐world data

Abstract

Background: Home enteral nutrition (HEN) is frequently prescribed to individuals who cannot consume adequate food orally. Commercial blenderized enteral formulas (CBEF) containing real-food ingredients are becoming more popular and more widely available; however, the demographics of patients receiving these formulas have rarely been evaluated, and little data are available on patient tolerance in the community. Methods: US claims data were obtained for children and adolescents/adults who used the CBEF of interest as the sole source of nutrition via enteral feeding tube in the community setting following discharge from acute care. Demographics, concomitant medications, clinical diagnoses, and Charlson Comorbidity Index scores were tabulated using descriptive statistics. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms before and after hospital discharge were compared using significance tests. Results:The study included 231 participants (180 children, 51 adolescents/ adults). CBEFs were prescribed to patients with a variety of diagnoses, of which the most common were digestive and respiratory disorders. Children experienced significantly lower rates of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal distension in the weeks following hospital discharge compared with the baseline (all P < 0.001). Adolescents/adults experienced significantly lower rates of constipation, nausea, and vomiting (all P < 0.05).Neither group increased their usage of GI medications following hospital discharge. Conclusion:These CBEFs, based on real-food ingredients, were prescribed to diverse patients in the community and were well tolerated. These formulas offer an alternative to standard polymeric formulas and an alternative or adjunct to homemade blenderized formulas.

Clinical outcomes associated with blenderized tube feedings in adults: A systematic review

“…According to a retrospective analysis of children and adolescents discharged on a prescribed BTF, GI symptoms substantially improved over baseline. 38 The percentage of patients reporting no GI symptoms increased from 35.6% to 83%, and those reporting two or more symptoms decreased from 31.6% to 2.3% after 2 weeks. Likewise, a monocenter small pediatric study documented 100% resolution of diarrhea and improvements in vomiting after transition to BTF.…”

“…Other studies have found similar results. According to a retrospective analysis of children and adolescents discharged on a prescribed BTF, GI symptoms substantially improved over baseline 38 . The percentage of patients reporting no GI symptoms increased from 35.6% to 83%, and those reporting two or more symptoms decreased from 31.6% to 2.3% after 2 weeks.…”

An exploration of the experiences and attitudes of healthcare professionals towards enteral tube feeding for adults living in the community following stroke

“…Indeed, most participants in the present study considered blended feeding to be an option for adults requiring tube‐feeding following stroke. Their responses indicated an understanding of the potential benefits (e.g., gastrointestinal improvements and QoL) that have been described in other studies, 24,30 as well as the conditions needed for this to be feasible. The potential concerns described by participants in the present study, including nutritional inadequacy, microbial risk and tube‐blocking, have been noted previously 31 .…”