Acceptability and tolerance study of a high‑protein semi‑elemental feed containing PHGG fibre
METHOD A prospective, singlearm multicentre study was carried out to assess GI tolerance and compliance to a new formula, Peptamen HN PHGG®. Participants were under the care of a Dietitian and recruited from two NHS settings. Participants were adults who were tube fed, receiving >60% of their estimated requirements enterally, experiencing GI discomfort (diarrhoea, constipation, excessive wind or nausea) and able to consent. RESULTS 21 participants (30–88 years), identified by Dietitians as meeting inclusion criteria, were consented and enrolled; 13 participants had completed the trial at the time of writing. Primary diagnoses included oesophageal cancer, GI tract surgery, pancreatitis, aspergilloma, EhlersDanlos, and myasthenia gravis. Four participants were fed into the stomach and nine into the jejunum. All patients began the trial due to diarrhoea. At baseline, 92% (n=12) had a type 6 or 7 stool; one patient had an ileostomy reporting diarrhoea. At the end of the study, 77% (n=10) reported a type 4 or 5 stool, with only 23% (n=3) still reporting type 6 or 7. Average stool frequency decreased from 2.9 to 2.3 per day. 77% (n=10) reported improved tolerance after starting the formula. 92% (n=12) tolerated the prescribed volume; 54% (n=7) tolerated a higher volume compared to their previous feed. CONCLUSIONS Tubefeed tolerance remains a challenge. Historically, Dietitians have needed to choose between a semielemental peptidebased feed or a fibre feed. This study shows Peptamen HN PHGG® was well tolerated by most participants, with reductions in undesirable GI symptoms, improvements in stool frequency and type, increased compliance, and high satisfaction levels.
