# Nutritional and Microbiological Aspects of the Formulations and the Impact of Home Enteral Nutrition Therapy Use on Patients’ Quality of Life

## TL;DR

This study examines how home enteral nutrition therapy affects patients' quality of life and finds that while it is generally accepted, it poses challenges in nutrition and safety.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into the nutritional and microbiological challenges of home enteral nutrition therapy and its impact on patient quality of life.

## Key findings

- Most patients used commercial formulas, but artisanal preparations had low nutritional diversity and high microbiological risk.
- Despite complications like diarrhea, the majority of patients reported acceptable quality of life.
- The study highlights the need for multidisciplinary monitoring and caregiver training to improve therapy safety and effectiveness.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Home Enteral Nutrition Therapy (HENT) is widely used for patients with preserved gastrointestinal function who cannot maintain adequate oral intake. It can be administered through commercial formulas (CF) or artisanal preparation (AP). Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study with a quantitative and qualitative approach, conducted through semi-structured interviews by the researcher herself. Patients using HENT were evaluated for nutritional status using a 24 h dietary recall, and their quality of life was assessed using a questionnaire administered during an interview with the patient and/or caregiver. Microbial characteristics of the diets were evaluated by collecting samples and performing microbiological analyses according to standard methods. Results: 22 patients participated, mostly elderly, bedridden, and dependent, with gastrostomy as the primary method of administration (72.7%) and CF as the most commonly used (54.5%). AP consisted of cooked vegetables, legumes, milk, oil, and salt, and showed low nutritional diversity and a high risk of microbiological contamination due to manual handling. Frequent complications included diarrhea (72.7%) and mechanical complications (77.7%). Despite these issues, 91% of participants rated their quality of life as acceptable. Conclusions: HENT posed significant challenges to nutritional adequacy and microbiological safety, particularly among patients using artisanal preparations. These findings highlight the need for systematic monitoring and individualized adjustments by a multidisciplinary team, along with structured caregiver training, to optimize intake, reduce complications, and improve the quality and safety of home-based enteral therapy.