title: ESPEN Guidelines on Parenteral Nutrition: geriatrics.
abstract: Older subjects are at increased risk of partial or complete loss of independence due to acute and/or chronic disease and often of concomitant protein caloric malnutrition. Nutritional care and support should be an indispensable part of their management. Enteral nutrition is always the first choice for nutrition support. However, when patients cannot meet their nutritional requirements adequately via the enteral route, parenteral nutrition (PN) is indicated. PN is a safe and effective therapeutic procedure and age per se is not a reason to exclude patients from this treatment. The use of PN should always be balanced against a realistic chance of improvement in the general condition of the patient. Lower glucose tolerance, electrolyte and micronutrient deficiencies and lower fluid tolerance should be assumed in older patients treated by PN. Parenteral nutrition can be administered either via peripheral or central veins. Subcutaneous administration is also a possible solution for basic hydration of moderately dehydrated subjects. In the terminal, demented or dying patient the use of PN or hydration should only be given in accordance with other palliative treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Metabolic Care and Gerontology, Medical Faculty, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sobotka
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Y N
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Berner
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cederholm
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Krznaric
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shenkin
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Stanga
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Toigo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vandewoude
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Volkert
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000075202:Contraindications; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000592:standards; D006699:Home Care Services; D006701:Home Nursing; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000628:therapy*; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D011788:Quality of Life