Study design (if review, criteria of inclusion for studies)
All randomised controlled trials comparing supplemental enteral tube feeding for one month or longer with no specific intervention in people with cystic fibrosis.
Participants
People with CF (both males and females) of any age, diagnosed clinically and by sweat testing or genetic profiling, for whom supplemental enteral tube feeds were being considered. People at all stages of CF disease were included.
Interventions
Enteral tube feeding
Outcome measures
ntage weight for age, percentage ideal body weight (IBW), body mass index, weight standard deviation score (z score), BMI standard deviation score (z score), other indices of nutritional status) 2. Respiratory function (vital capacity (VC), FVC, FEV1, FEF25â75) 3. Mortality
Main results
There are no trials included in this review.
Authors' conclusions
Supplemental enteral tube feeding is widely used throughout the world to improve nutritional status in people with cystic fibrosis. The methods mostly used, nasogastric or gastrostomy feeding, are expensive and may have a negative effect on selfâesteem and body image. Reported use of enteral tube feeding suggests that it results in nutritional and respiratory improvement; but, efficacy has not been fully assessed by randomised controlled trials. It is acknowledged, however, that performing a randomised controlled trial would be difficult due to the ethics of withholding an intervention in a group of people whose nutritional status necessitates it.