(P03-035-24) Ability To Meet Enteral Nutritional Therapy Goals With a 100%-Whey Protein Peptide-Based Formula With Prebiotic Ingredient

Objectives: Enteral nutrition (EN) therapy, including home enteral nutrition (HEN), is increasingly utilized to provide long-term nutritional support for patients with various disease processes. The primary objective of this retrospective trial is to assess the ability to meet enteral feeding caloric goals with a peptide-based, 100% whey protein, prebiotic fibre-containing enteral formula (1.5kcal/mL; 68g/L protein) in a clinically stable, tube-fed population.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate the outcomes of patients who used the study formula for at least 2 weeks between 2016 and 2023. We included patients who relied on EN for at least 90% of their nutritional needs and had established enteral access. Patients who required a fiber modulator were excluded. The study evaluated delivered EN calories and protein, weight changes resulting from using the study formula, and enteral feeding tolerance.

Results: Out of 51 identified, 26 patients met the inclusion criteria and included in this analysis (mean age 41.3 ± 18.6 years; 69.2% female; mean baseline BMI 21.7 ±  <4.2 kg/m²). In this cohort, the study formula was prescribed and consumed for a median of 17.6 weeks (IQR 7.5, 40.3).

>Sixteen patients (61.5%) received the study formula as the initial formula, while 10 (38.5%) were transitioned to it from another formula due to enteral feeding intolerance (EFI) and/or failing to achieve nutritional goals. With the use of the study formula, patients received a mean of 27.1 ± 7.6 kcal/kg calories daily, along with meeting a mean of 92.5% ± 18.9 of their daily calories from EN. Patients received a mean of 1.2 ± 0.4 g/kg of protein daily, meeting 97% ± 29.6 of estimated protein needs from the study formula.

Symptoms of gastrointestinal distress were reported by seven patients (27%). However, clinically significant EFI causing an interruption of EN therapy or resulting in failure to achieve nutritional goals was reported in 1 patient only who required a transition to parenteral nutrition. Change in weight with consumption of the study formula varied across the study cohort. Overall, weight remained static with a median of -0.4% (IQR -5.8, +6.3) change.

Conclusions: A 100%-whey protein peptide-based formula with a prebiotic ingredient is a safe and effective enteral formula that can help EN-dependent patients achieve nutrition goals.

Funding Sources: Nestle Health Science