Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: Adequacy and quality of information given to decision-makers

Background/Aim: Nowadays percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is widely available, but patient-selection criteria and quality of informed consent are debated. The aims of this retrospective study were to evaluate the quality of information given to the decision-makers (relatives) and determine the overall acceptance of the procedure by the patients' family. Methods: The relatives of patients with PEG were interviewed by telephone, using a structured questionnaire. They (n = 55; 36% spouses, 34% children, 30% other) gave information about themselves and the patient (34 males, 21 females, median age 69, range 16-92 years) who underwent PEG tube placement for eating disorders or dysphagia. Results: At the time of evaluation 30/55 (54.6%) patients had died. The cumulative median survival was significantly longer in patients younger than 75 years by 58 days (p = 0.009). Relatives believed that PEG could improve the patients' quality of life (56%) or/and the underlying disease. Although 93% of the decision-makers considered that their opinion had been taken into account when the procedure was done, 25% said that they had not adequately been informed about alternative methods and the complications of the procedure (38%). 54% said that the procedure had improved the quality of life of the family. Most of the decision-makers believed that their decision was correct (87%) and they would recommend PEG (84%) to other patients suffering from dysphagia. Conclusion: Though several decision-makers were not satisfied with the quality of information given before informed consent, the overall acceptance of the PEG placement for nutritional support is high. Copyright (C) 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel.