[Current situation of domiciliary enteral nutrition in Galicia. A multicenter study].
OBJECTIVE
To determinate the prevalence of patients with Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) in Galicia.


METHODS
Transversal study.


METHODS
Patients aged > or = 14 years, treated with HEN in our community since January 1998 to December 1999. Population of reference was 1.789.983.


METHODS
Questionnaire previously designed.


RESULTS
During the study period were treated 2,784 patients which represent a prevalence of 10.34 cases/10,000 inhabitants, being 18.8 for La Coruña, 1.3 for Lugo, 0.4 for Ourense and of the 20.85 for Pontevedra. The mean age of the patients was of 56 +/- 2.29 years (range 14-96). The Clinics units that required more frequently HEN were the Medical Units (48.3%), followed of the Surgery Units (20.2%) and the Primary Care Units (19.2%). Neurological abnormalities (43.6%), Neoplasias (30.7%) and Intestinal Inflammatory Disease (10.5%) were patients more frequently required HEN. Regarding to administration route 58.3%, 28.46%, 9.87%, 0.5% and 0.65% used oral, nasogastric tube, PEG, gastrostomy and yeyunostomy respectively. The Index of complications was 0.18 of patient-year, due to gastrointestinal anomalies 0.12 patient-year, mechanical 0.09 patient-year. The index of hospitalizations in relation to the nutritional treatment was 0.026 patient-year.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of HEN in our community is of 10.34 cases/10,000 inhabitants. This kind of treatment is more frequently in the areas with high-density population. The frequency of complications was low. This data may be useful to compare with date from other areas and countries.
Pérez Méndez
L F
LF
Sección de Nutrición, Hospital Xeral-Cies de Vigo, Pizarro, 22, 36204 Vigo. lpm@unicies.cesga.es
García-Mayor
R V
RV
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005774:Gastrostomy; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007582:Jejunostomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain; D014505:Urban Population