Compared effects of enteral nutrition by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in cancer and in non-cancer patients: A long-term study

The purpose of this long-term study was: a) to compare nutritional efficiency and complications of enteral nutrition by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in 2 groups: cancer (I; n = 75) and non-cancer (II; n = 63) patients and; b) to determine survival and prognosis survival factors after PEG insertion. On day 30, but not on day 180, of enteral feeding mean weight gain was significantly higher in group II than in group I (p < 0.05). Complications of PEG were not significantly different in the 2 groups. Survival probabilities at 6 and 12 months after PEG insertion were 37% and 62%, 19% and 48% in groups I and II, respectively (p < 0.001). The indications for tube placement (p = 0.007), treatment at home (p = 0.05) and serum albumin level on day 0 (p = 0.03) were significantly related to survival. 58 (77%) group I and 21 (46%) group II patients returned home (p < 0.001). While the nutritional efficiency of enteral nutrition by PEG appeared slighty inferior in cancer than in non-cancer patients, this technique allows nearly 80% of well-selected cancer patients an early discharge to domiciliary care a process that probably contributes to improved quality of life.