title: Efficacy of enteral nutrition for the treatment of pancreatitis using standard enteral formula.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Elemental formula delivered distal to the ligament of Treitz has demonstrated efficacy in patients with pancreatitis, presumably by decreasing pancreatic stimulation. Few data exist on the use of standard enteral formula in such patients. This study describes the outcomes of pancreatitis patients managed with long-term standard enteral nutrition (EN).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred twenty-six patients managed at the University of Virginia Health System with pancreatitis requiring nutritional support between August 2000 and June 2004 received a standard formula delivered distal to the ligament of Treitz and were followed prospectively to resolution of their disease process. Predictors of improvement in CT Severity Index, duration of EN, and length of hospital stay were identified. Changes in body weight and serum albumin were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age was 50.8 +/- 15.2 yr (male, 83). Etiology included alcohol (46), gallstones (49), idiopathic (15), post-ERCP (7), drug (5), hyperlipidemia (3), and pancreas divisum (1). EN lasted a median of 18.9 (2.4 to 111.7) wk. Median CT Severity Index decreased from 4 to 2 (p < 0.001). Underweight patients gained 9.8 lbs; overweight and obese patients lost 7.2 and 28.8 lbs, respectively. Albumin concentration increased from 3 to 3.8 g/dL (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Standard enteral formula is effective in the management of patients with complicated pancreatitis.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Health Center, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908-0708, USA.
authors.forename: Diklar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Makola
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Krenitsky
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Parrish
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dunston
authors.forename: Hubert A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Shaffer
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yeaton
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kahaleh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005526:Food, Formulated; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D007583:Jejunum; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome