C. Roberge et al., Quality of life and home enteral tube feeding: a French prospective study in patients with head and neck or oesophageal cancer, BR J CANC, 82(2), 2000, pp. 263-269
A prospective study was conducted to evaluate the impact of home enteral tu
be feeding on quality of life in 39 consecutive patients treated for head a
nd neck or oesophageal cancer at the Centre Francois Baclesse in Caen, Fran
ce. Patients were taken as their own controls. Quality of life was evaluate
d using the EORTC QLQ-C30 core questionnaire, and the EORTC H&N35 and OES24
specific questionnaires. The feeding technique tolerance was evaluated usi
ng a questionnaire specifically developed for this study. Two evaluations w
ere made, the first a week after hospital discharge (n = 39) and the second
3 weeks later (n = 30). Overall, the global health status/quality of life
scale score slightly improved; among symptoms, scale scores that significan
tly improved (P < 0.05) concerned constipation, coughing, social functionin
g and body image/sexuality. The physical feeding technique tolerance was ac
ceptable while the technique was psychologically less tolerated with two-th
irds of the patients longing to have the tube removed. One third of the pat
ients was also uncomfortable about their body image. Home enteral tube feed
ing was responsible for not visiting family or close relations in 15% of pa
tients, and not going out in public in 23%. We conclude that home enteral t
ube feeding is a physically well accepted technique although a substantial
proportion of patients may experience psychosocial distress. (C) 2000 Cance
r Research Campaign.