A review of the quality of life of adult patients treated with long-term parenteral nutrition

Background and aims: Some previous studies have assessed quality of life (QoL) in home parenteral nutrition (HPN) using generic instruments or non-validated questionnaires. A systematic search of electronic databases and relevant publications identified 50 publications. This paper reviews the QoL of patients receiving HPN and discusses the factors affecting QoL. Results: There is little available data about the QoL of HPN patients. Both HPN and the underlying disease may affect QoL, and an evaluation of QoL requires the separation of these two issues. Conclusions: There is a need for a standardised, scientifically validated, treatment-specific instrument to measure QoL in this population. The use of a treatment-specific QoL questionnaire should become part of the routine clinical management of HPN patients. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.