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 Cam- pania region, in particular for patients requiring home enteral nutrition, although home enteral nutri- tion remains underprescribed in comparison with national standards. (Nutritional Therapy & Metabo- lism 2009; 27: 16-22)