Glycaemic control in male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus while on diabetes specific enteral tube feeding formulas: Retrospective study

Background: Hyperglycaemia is one of the complications associated with enteral tube feeding that, can have a significant impact on the patients' clinical results as it is associated with an increase in length of hospitalization, mortality and morbidity. 

Objectives: This retrospective study recognizes the critical importance of managing blood sugar levels in diabetic patients who require enteral tube feeding. This study aims to understand if diabetes-specific formulas are effective in reducing hyperglycaemia.

Methods: A retrospective study looking at patients who had a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and received enteral tube feeding (diabetes-specific formulas). The collected variables included patient demographics, anthropometry, and glycaemic control measure. 2 different types of diabetes-specific formulas, feeding rate and other glycaemic control measure were analyzed. 

Results: We had a total of 28 male patients, with an average age of 54 years, all diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and received diabetes-specific enteral tube feeding. All participants were on sliding scale insulin therapy, and most were overweight. They received either of the two different diabetes-specific formulas. The glucose range after initiating enteral feed was (6.15mmo/L, SD= 1.7517-14.15 mmol/L, SD= 5.5235) from both formulas. 

Discussion: The recommended and desired blood glucose goal range in adult hospitalized patients receiving nutrition support is 7.8–10 mmol/L, the target glycaemic range was exceeded, most patients on both types of diabetes-specific formula had hyperglycaemia.

Conclusion: In conclusion, this study demonstrates the occurrence of hyperglycaemia during Enteral Tube Feeding in patients with diabetes despite being enterally fed diabetes-specific formulas whilst on insulin therapy.