G. Ullrich et al., THE PATIENTS VIEW OF NOCTURNAL GASTROSTOM Y FEEDING IN CYSTIC-FIBROSIS, Monatsschrift fur Kinderheilkunde, 143(6), 1995, pp. 599-604
Background: Chronic malnutrition in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients has
been treated successfully with supplemental nocturnal feeding by percu
taneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes. So far, few data are available a
bout the psychosocial aspects of this tube feeding. Methods: By means
of structured interviews, on average taken 4 months after the beginnin
g of tube feeding, we investigated 18 CF patients, aged 7 to 26 years,
and with a lung function indicating severe lung disease (mean FEV, 35
% of predicted), concerning their views on the tube feeding. Results:
Prior to the tube feedings most patients had suffered from family conf
licts due to poor appetite/low body weight for many years. At the time
of the interview three quarters of the patients reported a benefit fr
om nocturnal tube feedings not only with regard to improved body weigh
t but also with regard to lower tension at home. None of the patients
stopped the intake of normal food, and only few patients mentioned bod
ily complaints or negative social experiences (stigma). Therefore, the
patients' overall personal assessment towards gastrostomy feeding was
positive: 17 out of 18 patients said that in retrospect the decision
for gastrostomy feeding was right. Conclusion: The patients' evaluatio
n of the psychosocial aspects was in favour of nocturnal gastrostomy f
eeding. This should encourage the CF-doctor to use gastrostomy feeding
more frequently than before.