Management strategies for home parenteral support related to quality of life in intestinal failure patients: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND

Quality of life in patients with chronic intestinal failure is challenged by the need for long-term home parenteral support. The aim of this study was to identify healthcare initiated home parenteral support management strategies related to quality of life in patients with intestinal failure.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted across two databases (PUBMED, CINAHL) on the 27th of April 2024. Search results were mapped according to the JBI manual with the extraction tool Covidence. Non-pharmacological home parenteral support management strategies were included. Full-text screening was performed independently by four researchers, and three researchers systematically processed the data extraction pairwise.

RESULTS

A total of 18 studies were included. Eleven unique home parenteral support management strategies were identified and grouped into 3 themes: prescription, administration, and tools for self-care. Infusion frequency and infusion volume were the most frequently evaluated strategies with positive influence on quality of life. Seven other strategies with positive influence were identified and most high-quality evidence was found for education and counselling.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that management strategies of home parenteral support can play a valuable role in improving the quality of life for those depending on long-term intravenous treatment. However, there is a lack of high-quality evidence and only a few strategies have been investigated in more than two studies.