Tube feeding-associated patients’ outcomes at Intensive Care Units, Cairo

Abstract

Background Tube feeding in critically ill patients is often hampered gastrointestinal and metabolic outcomes/complications; it is significantly contributing to the morbidity and mortality rates. Aim of the study The aim of this study was to assess outcomes associated with tube feeding. Research questions Q1: What are the gastrointestinal complications associated with tube feeding among critically ill patients at intensive care units in Cairo, Egypt? Q2: What is the nutritional status of critically ill patients on tube feeding at intensive care units in Cairo, Egypt? Sample A purposive sample of 64 adult male and female patients who were admitted to intensive care units and using tube feeding. Tools of data collection Three tools were utilized: demographic and medical data tool, tube feeding outcomes tool, nutritional assessment tool. Results In about half of the study sample, age ranged between 51 and 70 years and 51.6% of them were males. Moreover, 78% of the studied sample developed gastrointestinal complications. Vomiting was occurred in (33%) diarrhea (34.4%) constipation in (47%) increased high gastric residual volumes in (18%) of the studied sample. Redness and ulceration of tube insertion site have been observed in 67% of the studied sample. Subjective global assessment score shows a significant statistical correlation between before and after tube feeding as P=0.006. Hyperglycemia was observed in 15.6% while hypoglycemia was observed in only 6.3%. Conclusion Tube feedings have a significant negative effect on nutritional and gastrointestinal outcomes. Recommendation Further studies have to be carried out in order to assess the relationship between implementation of tube feeding protocols and nutritional outcomes.