Home artificial nutrition in Campania (Italy): Effects of a specific regional regulation

Objective: To evaluate possible changes in the prevalence of home artificial nutrition (HAN) in the Campania region of southern Italy and the characteristics of patients treated 1 year after the regional regulation on HAN and the national survey on the prevalence of HAN in Italy promoted by the National Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SINPE). Results: The overall number of patients on HAN increased from 355 in 2005 to 440 in 2006 (+24%). The total number of patients on home parenteral nutrition (HPN) increased from 156 (44%) to 163 (37%), while the number of patients on home enteral nutrition (HEN) increased from 169 (56%) to 267 (61%). Patients on HPN in 2006 were mostly cancer patients, whilst in patients with neurologic diseases HEN was preferentially adopted. The HEN:HPN ratio in adults was 1.3:1 in 2005 and 1.6:1 in 2006 (mean national ratio 5:1); for pediatric patients it decreased from 4.3:1 to 0.1:1 (mean national value 7:1). Conclusions: Despite the increase in 2006, HEN is still underprescribed in Campania in comparison with national and European standards. © SINPE-GASAPE.