Determinants of quality of life in home parenteral nutrition.
OBJECTIVE
To highlight the most important and salient articles regarding home parenteral nutrition and quality of life published within the last 3 years.


RESULTS
In recent years, quality of life research in home parenteral nutrition has highlighted the need for a therapy-specific validated questionnaire. Several papers suggest a greater psychological input is required to better understand and evaluate this patient population. Issues surrounding the use of home parenteral nutrition in malignancy have arisen, prompting discussion on ideal timing and candidacy for home parenteral nutrition. Intestinal transplantation is evolving and improving, making it a possible alternative to home parenteral nutrition. Earlier referral is suggested as late referral can result in poorer outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Home parenteral nutrition is a life-sustaining therapy for individuals with intestinal failure. There is now a relatively large amount of research into the quality of life in this population, but more focused measurements (in the form of validated therapy-specific questionnaires) are required to answer questions relating to cancer and intestinal transplantation.
Chambers
Alison
A
Department of Human Nutrition, Bart's and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, The Wingate Institute, 26 Ashfield Street, London, UK. a.chambers@qmul.ac.uk
Powell-Tuck
Jeremy
J
D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D007422:Intestines / Q000637:transplantation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D016331:Parenteral Nutrition, Home / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome