3.2.2 Nutritional benefits of ETF
3.2.2.1 NUTRITIONAL INTAKE
ETF can substantially increase nutritional intake in hospital patients
- In a systematic review of ETF across a wide group of hospital inpatients by Stratton et al. in 2003 (74 trials, n = 2769; 45% were RCTs [33 trials, n = 1358]) 98% percent of trials (and all RCTs) assessing intake with ETF showed improvements in total energy intake (of which 62% were significant). On average, ETF increased energy intake by ~1000 kcal/day compared with routine care in the RCTs reviewed. ETF does not substantially suppress food intake.50
Medical inpatients receiving ETF have higher protein and calorie intakes than those receiving oral feeding or no intervention
- In a systematic review and meta-analysis by Bally et al. in 2016 on types of nutritional support and outcomes in malnourished medical inpatients, a subgroup analysis including patients receiving ETF had higher protein and calorie intakes vs. those receiving oral feeding/non-intervention (48.6 g/d [36.2 to 61.0] vs. 17.8 g/d [10.9 to 24.8] and 613 kcal/d [318 to 908] vs. 383 kcal/d [261 to 505] respectively).51
ETF can improve or maintain nutritional intake in patients in the community
- In the review by Stratton et al. in 2003, all trials that assessed total energy intake, indicated that it was improved by ETF (n = 14). When used as a supplement to food intake, ETF did not suppress appetite and dietary intake substantially. ETF was also used effectively as a sole source of nutrition for prolonged periods of time (e.g. stroke patients, patients with inflammatory bowel disease).50
ETF increases calorie intakes in patients with cystic fibrosis
- As part of a systematic review, a study on patients with cystic fibrosis demonstrated an increased caloric intake by approximately 40% of the recommended daily intake after the start of enteral tube feeding.52
