Home artificial nutrition: A three-year survey in southern Italy

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of home artificial nutrition in the Campania region of southern Italy and the characteristics of patients treated, 3 years after a specific regional regulation on home artificial nutrition issued in 2005. Results: The overall number of patients on home artificial nutrition increased from 355 in April 2005 to 440 (+24%) in April 2006 and 600 in April 2007 (+36.4% in 2007 vs 2006). The total number of patients on home parenteral nutrition increased from 156 to 163 in April 2006 (+4.5%) and to 197 in April 2007 (+21% in 2007 vs 2006), while the number of patients on home enteral nutrition increased from 199 to 267 (+34%) in April 2006 and to 381 in April 2007 (+43% in 2007 vs 2006). Home parenteral nutrition patients in April 2006 and April 2007 were mostly cancer patients (64% in 2006 and 59% in 2007), whilst those on home enteral nutrition were mostly affected by neurological diseases (75% in 2006 and 80% in 2007). The home enteral nutrition/home parenteral nutrition ratio in adults was 1.3/1 in April 2005,1.6/1 in 2006, and 1.9/1 in 2007, nearing the expected national mean ratio of 5/1. Conclusions: Regional regulation on home artificial nutrition has increased its prevalence in the Campania region, in particular for patients requiring home enteral nutrition, although home enteral nutrition remains underprescribed in comparison with national standards. © SINPE-GASAPE.