Distress by Loss of Oral Intake in Each Degree of Ingestion in Older Adult Inpatients with Nasogastric Tube for Dysphagia

Abstract

  Prevalence of nasogastric tube feeding is high among older adult inpatients with dysphagia. However, it is not known whether ingestion while intubated reduces distress from loss of oral intake. Therefore, this study examined the distress associated with loss of oral intake (inability to drink, inability to chew, inability to taste food, inability to eat and drink what was desired, deprived of opportunity to eat while socializing, being exposed to others’ meals, and thirst) in each degree of ingestion.

  Participants who were selected based on the eligible criteria were 29 older adult inpatients from three urban hospitals with nasogastric tubes for dysphagia from a variety of causes. The level of distress associated with loss of oral intake was not significantly different between the non-ingestion group (n＝14) and the ingestion group (n＝15) (p＝.27). However, the distress level related to inability to eat and drink what they wanted was significantly lower in the ingestion group compared with the non-ingestion group (p＝.04), therefore distress may be relieved by ingestion while being intubated. Furthermore the duration of intubation and the level of distress were negatively correlated (r＝－0.46, p＝.01). Distress level was significantly higher in the under 30 days compared to over 30 days for intubation(p＜.01). The older adult inpatients receiving nasogastric tubes need early nursing care to address the potential distress related to alterations in their ingestion patterns.