Home Parenteral Nutrition in Cancer Patients

An Evaluation of Quality of Life Outcomes in Cancer Patients Receiving Home Parenteral

This study is being done to examine the effect of Parenteral (intravenous) nutrition support in the home setting on quality of life in cancer patients. In addition, this study is being done to examine the effect of home parenteral nutrition on the use of pain and anti-nausea medication.

This is a prospective descriptive non-randomized clinical study to examine quality of life outcomes and use of pain and anti-emetic therapy for patients receiving HPN support. The EORTC QLQ-C30 will be used to evaluate quality of life. All subjects will be monitored monthly throughout the course of treatment for a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 1 year.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a cancer diagnosis who have been receiving parenteral nutrition in the hospital or have started on HPN while at Cancer Treatment Centers of America and meet the criteria for home parenteral nutrition.
• Patient expected to have a life expectancy of greater than 90 days post discharge.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients less than 18 years of age
• HPN patients who do not receive nutrition assessment and follow-up by the Coram Healthcare nutrition support team
• Refuse to participate