Results of enteral feeding and diabetes survey now available

Overall glucose control is poor in people with diabetes during enteral feeding treatment, new survey findings have shown. 

A UK national survey has found that people with diabetes whilst on enteral feeding treatment struggle to maintain glycaemic control.

A team of researchers developed a questionnaire on the management of enteral feeding against the standards in the nationally adopted Joint British Diabetes Societies for Inpatient Care (JBDS) guidelines.

The email-based survey was sent to all 220 specialist diabetes teams in the UK. The academics used databases from Diabetes UK, the Association of British Diabetologists (ABCD), and the Diabetes Inpatient Specialist Nurse (DISN) UK Group.

A total of 26 hospitals responded to the survey, with 11 having guidelines for the management of insulin with enteral feeding.

The findings state: “There were three main feed regimens used: continuous 24-hour feeding, a single feed with one break in 24 hours, or multiple feeds in 24 hours.

“There were five regimens in common use: premixed insulin, isophane insulin, analogue basal insulin, variable rate intravenous insulin, or basal bolus insulin.

“Overall glucose control was poor for all regimens and combinations. Continuous feed showed better glucose control than a single feed with a break, mean (+SD) glucose 12.4 mmol/L (5.6) vs 15.1 mmol/L (6.9) p <0.005, but no group showed optimal control.”

To access the study, click here.