Eating habits and quality of life of patients receiving home parenteral nutrition in Israel

Background & aims: Using the database of an infusion provider, we assessed the quality of life and the eating behavior of patients receiving long-term home parenteral nutrition (HPN). Methods: Fifty-one patients were recruited during a 2-month period and anthropometric measurements, etiology of the disease and length of therapy were noted. A questionnaire including seven questions evaluating four functions was completed by a student by phone interview. The FAACT (Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy questionnaire) defined the response from grade 0 (no acceptance) to grade 4 (full acceptance) and evaluated physical, social/familial, emotional and functional well-being. Results are expressed as mean±S.D. or median (range) and correlation calculated using the Pearson's correlation test. Results: Fifty patients responded to the questionnaire. Median length on HPN was 27.5 months (range 5-180 months). More than 56% were aged between 17 and 59 years, 62% suffered from an intestinal disease and less than 10% from cancer. Ten percent were receiving HPN for >10 years. Physical activity was scored 1.77±1.11, social activity 3.18±0.96, emotional status 1.88±1.17 and oral intake 1.95±0.95. Physical activity was lower in females. Physical activity was highly related to emotional and social status (r=0.61, p<0.0001 and r=0.73, p<0.0001, respectively). Social status was negatively related to emotional level (r=-0.43, p<0.002) while emotional status influenced oral intake (r=0.45, p<0.004). Age or length of therapy did not influence these factors. Conclusions: Patients on HPN have a low physical activity and an impaired quality of life despite a good social performance. Their emotional status is impaired and their oral intake strongly altered. These alterations are not related to time on therapy or age, but the highest the physical activity, the better the emotional and social status. We should encourage these patients to increase their physical activity when possible.