Effects of a plant-based high energy and protein enteral tube feed in home enterally tube fed patients: results from a 6-month single-arm intervention trial

Abstract

Many home enterally tube-fed (HETF) patients require a high energy and protein enteral feed due to increased nutritional requirements or to reduce daily feed volume, due to fluid restrictions and poor volume tolerance, or to reduce time spent tube feeding, which have adverse effects on quality of life (QoL). Recent data highlights a multifaceted need for plant-based medical feeds in clinical practice;1 however, evidence of long-term (≥6-months (6M)) use in HETF patients is limited. This single-arm multi-centre intervention study evaluated the effects of a plant-based (vegan suitable) multi-nutrient, high energy, high protein enteral tube feed (PBTF) for 6M in HETF patients.