Current Literature: Quality of Life and Home Enteral Tube Feeding: A French Prospective Study in Patients with Head and Neck or Esophageal Cancer

Abstract

A prospective study was conducted to evaluate the impact of home enteral tube feeding on quality of life in 39 consecutive patients treated for head and neck or esophageal cancer at the Center Francois Baclesse in Caen, France. Patients were taken as their own controls. Quality of life was evaluated using the EORTC QLQ‐C30 core questionnaire, and the EORTC H&N35 and OES24 specific questionnaires. The feeding technique tolerance was evaluated using a questionnaire specifically developed for this study. Two evaluations were made, the first a week after hospital discharge (n = 39) and the second 3 weeks later (n = 30). Overall, the global health status/quality of life scale score slightly improved; among symptoms, scale scores that significantly improved (p < .05) concerned constipation, coughing, social functioning, and body image/sexuality. The physical feeding technique tolerance was acceptable while the technique was psychologically less tolerated with two‐thirds of the patients longing to have the tube removed. One‐third of the patients were also uncomfortable about their body image. Home enteral tube feeding was responsible for not visiting family or close relations in 15% of patients and not going out in public in 23%. We conclude that home enteral tube feeding is a physically well‐accepted technique although a substantial proportion of patients may experience psychosocial distress. (Brit J Cancer 82:263–9, 2000)

Survey of psychosocial issues of nasogastric tube feeding in head-and-neck cancer patients

“…[ 3 ] Enteral feeding is considered superior to total parenteral nutrition in patients with functional digestive tract as it has lower risk of complications and is less expensive. [ 4 5 6 ] NG tube is introduced as medical treatment, but it excludes sensory (taste of food), social, cultural pleasure, and regional traditions associated with eating food which leads to psychosocial impact on patient's life. [ 7 ] Because of these psychosocial reasons and other misbelieves regarding NG tube feeding, many patients refuse for NG tube insertion.…”