Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube feeding of nursing home residents is not associated with improved body composition parameters

Objectives To study differences in nutritional status and body composition, by feeding modality, among disabled nursing home residents. Design A retrospective chart-review study. Setting A nursing wing of a public urban geriatric center. Participants Three groups of patients: non-dysphagic, orally-fed dysphagic and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy -fed dysphagic patients. Intervention: Standard nursing care Measurements Basal metabolic rate, total energy expenditure and nitrogen balance under oral or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding. Dietary intake was assessed during a 3-days period by daily-food intake protocols and a 24-hours urinary creatinine excretion to detect nitrogen balance and calculate body composition parameters. Results Data of 117 patients (55.5% females), mean age 84.6±7.5 (range 66–98 years) was analyzed. Dysphagic patients (60) differed from non-dysphagic patients (57) by lower body mass index (p=0.020), fat mass index (p=0.017), daily protein intake (p