Geriatrics tube feeding

Geriatric Patients

Example cases for nutrition support

Tube feeding in older patients

Older people are at risk of malnutrition when living in the community, as well as in hospital and in care homes. Malnutrition in older patients may arise from loss of appetite, dysphagia and neurological, digestive or metabolic impairments.1,2 The loss of body weight and muscle mass may also result in a cycle of frailty.3

When the required intake of energy and protein cannot be met by oral nutrition, then enteral tube feeding may bridge the gap and prevent the progression of frailty.4,5

The following four example cases illustrate how different patients in the geriatric field may benefit from tube feeding:

  • Long term tube feeding after stroke
  • Tube feeding with gastoparesis
  • Tube feeding due to aspiration pneumonia
  • Tube feeding with depression

 

Tube feeding cancer patients

Patient cases Oncology

Tube feeding neurologiccal patients

Patient cases Neurology

Tube feeding for surgery patients

Patient cases Surgery

References:
1) Wells JL, Dumbrell AC. Nutrition and aging: assessment and treatment of compromised nutritional status in frail elderly patients. Clin Interv Aging. 2006;1(1):67–79.
2) Stratton RJ, Green CJ, Elia M. Disease-related malnutrition: An evidence-based approach to treatment. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK 2003.
3) Deutz NE, Bauer JM, Barazzoni R, Biolo G, Boirie Y, Bosy-Westphal A, et al. Protein intake and exercise for optimal muscle function with aging: recommendations from the ESPEN expert group. Clin Nutr. 2014;33(6):929–936.
4) Volkert D, Berner YN, Berry E, Cederholm T, Coti Bertrand P, Milne A, et al. ESPEN Guidelines on Enteral Nutrition: Geriatrics. Clin Nutr. 2006;25(2):330–360.
5) Morley JE, Vellas B, van Kan GA, Anker SD, Bauer JM, Bernabei R, et al. Frailty consensus: a call to action. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2013;14(6):392–397.