Quality of life analysis during transition from stationary to portable infusion pump in home parenteral nutrition patients: a Canadian experience.

Background: Quality of life (QOL) of patients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN) may be impacted by device technology. Historically, our HPN patients used pole-mounted pumps which can hinder activities and affect QOL. Methods: Patients receiving HPN with a pole-mounted pump completed Short Form 36 (SF-36 (R)) and pump-specific questionnaires. Patients were then enrolled in a 2-month prospective crossover open study. Patients were randomized to use a pole-mounted pump or a portable pump. After 1 month, each arm crossed over. Measurements were repeated at 4 and 8 weeks. Results: Participants included 5 males, 15 females; age 52.8 +/- 3.3 (mean +/- SEM) years; 50% had short bowel syndrome; received HPN for 83.3 +/- 15.9 months; infused HPN over 11.2 +/- 0.3 hours/day; 4.3 +/- 0.4 days/week. Portable pump users scored 53.75 +/- 5.64, 61.25 +/- 6.14, and 40.31 +/- 4.94 in SF-36v2 physical, social, and health vitality, respectively, while the stationary pump users scored 45.50 +/- 4.82, 55.00 +/- 5.97, and 35.31 +/- 4.63, respectively (NS). They reported ease of movement between rooms (4.11 +/- 0.21 vs 1.44 +/- 0.20; P = .001); when traveling (5.00 +/- 0.00 vs 3.00 +/- 0.45; P < .02) (1 = very difficult, 5 = very easy); 5.0% were sleep disturbed with the portable compared to 42.1% with pole-mounted pump (P < .04). Overall, patients were significantly happier with the portable vs pole-mounted pump (4.53 +/- 0.19 vs 2.68 +/- 0.22; P < .001) (1 = very unhappy, 5 = very happy). Conclusion: Our HPN patients reported improved happiness and satisfaction regarding ease of use and function with a portable vs pole-mounted pump