Home artificial nutrition in Southern Italy: An update four years after the regional regulation

Objective: An update on the prevalence of home artificial nutrition in the Campania region (Southern Italy) and the characteristics of the patients treated was carried out four years after a specific regional regulation issued in 2005. Results: The overall number of patients on home artificial nutrition increased from 355 in April 2005 to 893 in April 2008 (+151.5%). The total number of patients on home parenteral nutrition increased from 156 in April 2005 to 214 in April 2008 and the number of patients on home enteral nutrition increased from 199 in April 2005 to 651 in April 2008. In the years of the survey, about 70% of patients on home parenteral nutrition were cancer patients, whilst about 80% of those on home enteral nutrition were affected mostly by neurological diseases. The home enteral nutrition/home parenteral nutrition ratio in adults changed from 1.3/1 in April 2005 to 3/1 in 2008, gradually nearing the expected national mean ratio of 5/1 as observed in 2005. Conclusions: The specific regional regulation in Campania has increased the prescription of home artificial nutrition and ameliorated its indications; in particular, home enteral nutrition is gradually nearing national standards. © 2010 SINPE-GASAPE.