Retrospective analysis of the long-term outcomes of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in critically ill patients and the satisfaction of their caregivers

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Long-term benefits of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and satisfaction of patients' caregivers have not been investigated in the literature in detail. Hence, this study was carried out to investigate the long-term nutritional benefits of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in critically ill patients and their caregivers' acceptance and satisfaction rates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The population of this retrospective study consisted of critically ill patients who underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy between 2004 and 2020. Data about the clinical outcomes were obtained via telephone interviews using a structured questionnaire. The long-term benefits of the procedure in terms of weight change and the current thoughts of the caregivers about percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy were addressed. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 797 patients with a mean age of 66.4 ± 17.1 years. Patients' Glasgow Coma Scale scores ranged from 4.0 to 15.0, with a median score of 8. Hypoxic encephalopathy (36.9%) and aspiration pneumonitis (24.6%) were the most common indications. There was neither change in body weight nor weight gain in 43.7% and 23.3% of the patients, respectively. Oral nutrition could be recovered in 16.8% of the patients. Of the caregivers, 37.8% stated that percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was beneficial. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy may be a feasible and effective method for long-term enteral nutrition in critically ill patients treated in intensive care units.