Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy often experience symptoms that affect their ability to eat. This study aimed to explore the impact of radiotherapy on body weight in HNC patients and compare the characteristics of patients receiving enteral tube feeding with those maintaining an oral diet.

In this prospective study, 52 patients with HNC were examined at diagnosis, at the start and end of radiotherapy, and six weeks after end of treatment. The nutritional assessment included measurements of body weight, food intake, and malnutrition using Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). Other variables were retrieved from the electronic patient record.

Critical weight loss (defined as >5 % from start of radiotherapy) was present in 60 % of the patients at the end of radiotherapy, and only half of these patients received any enteral nutrition therapy. The mean weight loss was 5.8 % during radiotherapy, and an additional 2.1 % at follow-up (n = 48). A nasogastric feeding tube was used by 42 % at the end of radiotherapy, and 29 % at follow-up. The tube feeding users had a lower energy intake and higher weight loss than non-tube feeding users (22 vs 27 kcal/kg body weight, 7.8 vs 4.4 % weight loss) at the end of radiotherapy treatment. According to PG-SGA, 92 % of the patients were malnourished at the end of treatment and 71 % at follow-up (p < 0.001).

Critical weight loss and malnutrition were common in HNC patients after radiotherapy, and enteral tube feeding was initiated in only half of the cases with critical weight loss. Patients receiving enteral tube feeding may need closer monitoring to ensure adequate energy intake, and other treatment options may be necessary. These results emphasize the need for improved nutritional intervention during and after radiotherapy.

Enteral Nutrition (EN) is the preferred method for providing nutritional support in intensive care units (ICUs) compared to parenteral nutrition (PN) due to its physiological advantages, safety profile, and cost-effectiveness compared to parenteral nutrition (PN). However, evidence suggests that EN might be associated with some complications. In this study, we aimed to identify the most common EN complications, as reported by healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in adult and paediatric ICUs (PICUs) in Saudi Arabia. We also investigated the factors influenced the HCPs' perception in reporting these EN complications.

In this cross-sectional pilot study, data was collected through an online survey from 25 December 2022 to the end of February 2023. All dietitians, physicians and nurses working in adult and PICUs in Saudi-Arabia were eligible to participate. The survey collected information about the demographic data of the participants, some of the EN related practice in intensive care settings as well as the frequency of the reported EN complications.

A total of 173 respondents were included in the study. The most frequently reported complications were diarrhoea [3.06 ±1.197], aspiration [2.88 ±1.261], and constipation [2.85 ±1.11]. A statistical difference was recorded in the frequency of some of the reported EN complications between HCPs working in adults and paediatric ICUs (p<0.05). The participant's profession (r=-2.84, p<0.05) and years of experience (r=-0.5, p<0.05) appeared to statistically influence the perception of HCPs regarding EN complications.

This study highlighted the commonly reported complications associated with EN, with differences observed between adult and paediatric settings. The variation in reported complications may be attributed to differences in practitioner characteristics. These findings may emphasize the importance of targeted training, standardized reporting, and evidence-based practices to optimize EN management and improve patient outcomes in ICU settings.

Bolus and continuous nutrition are commonly used enteral nutrition (EN) administration methodologies. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to establish which is the most effective method for reducing gastrointestinal complications in adult patients. The aim of this review is to evaluate the impact of bolus/intermittent EN compared with continuous EN for the following outcomes: diarrhea, constipation, emesis/vomiting, gastric residual volume, aspiration, and glycemic control in adult patients receiving intragastric prepyloric EN in the hospital setting. Bibliographical research was performed on the following databases: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The review included all randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials of patients aged ≥18 years with preserved gastrointestinal function. Meta-analysis was performed by Review Manager V.5.3. Seven studies including 551 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Five of these studies reported that the diarrhea rate was higher in the bolus feeding group (risk ratio [RR] = 2.50; 95% CI, 1.17-5.34; P = 0.02), and another five of these studies indicated that the aspiration rate was higher in the continuous feeding group (RR = 0.55; 95% CI, 0.35-0.87; P = 0.01). There were no significant differences for the other outcomes. In conclusion, intermittent EN appears to reduce the incidence of aspiration in the hospital setting; however, it may increase the risk of diarrhea. For future research, we hypothesize the joint use of continuous nutrition until the patient reaches tolerance and then passing to bolus nutrition, thus reducing the incidence of aspiration and enabling a physiological nutrition intake.

Enteral nutrition support plays a key role in minimizing malnutrition in critically-ill patients, and its provision is originally a nurse's responsibility. Thus, nurses need to have a sufficient knowledge and a positive attitude with regard to enteral nutrition. In Palestine, literature regarding nurses' knowledge, practices, and attitudes of enteral nutrition is rare.

This study aimed to investigate Palestinian nurses' knowledge, practices, and attitudes regarding enteral nutrition.

Interview based pre-tested questionnaire was used during data collection procedure. Cronbach Alpha was also used to determine the reliability of knowledge, attitude and practice questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and ANOVA were performed.

A total of 325 registered nurses were involved in the final analysis. The mean of the knowledge score is (9.6 ± 2.8) out of 20. It was confirmed that sociodemographic characteristics has no influence on nutrition knowledge score among nurses. The findings also reveal that certain aspects of enteral nutrition practices were consistent with the current guidelines such as flushing the tube and backrest elevation. On the other hand, certain practices showed inconsistency and differences with international guidelines such as checking gastric residual volume. Results also showed that nurses attitudes were positive towards enteral nutrition.

It was found that nurses' have inadequate knowledge regarding enteral nutrition. The findings also showed that enteral nutrition practices among nurses were somewhat incongruent with best current evidence. However, it was noted that they have positive attitudes towards enteral nutrition. Promoting research utilization is highly needed as well as establishing evidence-based guidelines.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has affected millions of people globally. It was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. The hyperinflammatory response to the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the host through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 is the result of a "cytokine storm" and the high oxidative stress responsible for the associated symptomatology. Not only respiratory symptoms are reported, but gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea) and liver abnormalities (high levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase transaminases, and bilirubin) are observed in at least 30% of patients. Reduced food intake and a delay in medical services may lead to malnutrition, which increases mortality and poor outcomes. This review provides some strategies to identify malnutrition and establishes nutritional approaches for the management of COVID-19 and liver injury, taking energy and nutrient requirements and their impact on the immune response into account. The roles of certain phytochemicals in the prevention of the disease or as promising target drugs in the treatment of this disease are also considered.

Protein deficits have been associated with longer intensive care unit (ICU) stays and increased mortality. Current view suggests if protein goals are met, meeting full energy targets may be less important and prevent deleterious effects of overfeeding. We proposed a very-high protein (VHP) enteral nutrition (EN) formula could provide adequate protein, without overfeeding energy, in the first week of critical illness.

This was a retrospective study of medical/surgical ICU patients receiving EN exclusively for ≥5 days during the first week of ICU admission. Twenty participants received standard EN; 20 participants received the VHP-EN formula (1 kcal/mL, 37% protein). Protein and energy prescribed/received, gastrointestinal tolerance, and feeding interruptions were examined.

Forty ICU patients [average Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score of 20.1] were included. Protein prescribed and received was significantly higher in the VHP group vs the standard EN group (135.5 g/d ± 22.9 vs 111.4 g/d ± 25; P = .003 and 112.2 g/d ± 27.8 vs 81.7 g/d ± 16.7, respectively; P = .002). Energy prescribed and received was similar between groups (1696 kcal/d ± 402 vs 1893 kcal/d ± 341, respectively; P = .101 and 1520 kcal/d ± 346 vs 1506 ± 380 kcal/d; P = .901). There were no differences in EN tolerance (P = .065) or feeding interruptions (P = .336).

Use of a VHP formula in ICU patients resulted in higher protein intakes without overfeeding energy or use of modular protein in the first 5 days of exclusive EN.

This historical control study examined the differences in the incidence of postoperative pneumonia between patients administered liquid and semi-solid nutrients after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG).

The medical records of adult patients who underwent PEG between March 1999 and March 2014 were investigated. The patients were administered either liquid or semi-solid nutrient and examined for gastroesophageal reflux via radiography after PEG. The study period was divided into periods I (liquid nutrient to all patients), II (semi-solid nutrient to patients with reflux and liquid nutrient to those without), and III (semi-solid nutrient to all patients). The patient characteristics and incidence of postoperative pneumonia were stratified by the periods. To assess the relationship between postoperative pneumonia and the periods, a logistic regression analysis was performed.

Of 370 patients enrolled, 149 were in period I, 64 in period II, and 157 in period III. Postoperative pneumonia was more frequently observed in period I (20.8%) than in periods II (7.8%) and III (10.2%). The odds ratios were higher in period I (period I vs. II: 3.10 [95% confidence intervals: 1.15-8.38]; period I vs. III: 2.32 [1.21-4.44]). The incidence of gastroesophageal reflux did not greatly differ between periods II (25.0%) and III (35.0%).

The incidence of postoperative pneumonia after PEG was lower in the patients administered semi-solid nutrient than in those administered liquid nutrient, suggesting that semi-solid nutrient administration to patients with PEG tubes is preferable to prevent postoperative pneumonia. Furthermore, it may be favored especially in those with gastroesophageal reflux.

In Jordan, there is a gap in literature regarding nurses' practices of enteral nutrition. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess nurses' practices regarding enteral nutrition of critically ill adult patients. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used to collect data through self-reported questionnaires and descriptive analyses were used to display the results of the study. The results revealed that some aspects of enteral nutrition practices were consistent with the current best evidences such as initiation time of enteral nutrition and backrest elevation. On the contrary, some aspects showed variations and inconsistency with current best evidences such as the amount of high gastric residual volume and its management. Nurses' practices regarding enteral nutrition were not consistent with international guidelines. This inconsistency can predispose patients to underfeeding. Enhancement of research utilization is highly recommended as well as establishing evidence-based guidelines.