section name header

Evidence summaries

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Versus Nasogastric Tube Feeding for Adults with Swallowing Disturbances

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) may be associated with a lower probability of intervention failure as compared to nasogastric tube feeding (NGT) for adults with swallowing disturbances. There appears to be no difference of mortality rates between the groups. Level of evidence: "C"

The quality of evidence is downgraded by study limitations (lack of/unclear allocation concealment and high loss to follow-up).

Summary

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 9 RCTs with a total of 314 subjects to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of PEG as compared to NGT for adults with swallowing disturbances. The underlying conditions include motor neuron disease and multiple sclerosis; physical obstruction to swallowing, such as oesophageal tumours; an inability to ingest food due to head injury or stroke; and those with anorexia due to an underlying disease such as chronic lung disease, irritable bowel disease, or cancer.

OutcomeNumber of participants (studies)Assumed risk (nasogastric tube)Corresponding risk (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy)Relative effect (95% CI)
Treatment failure314 (7)40 per 100010 per 1000 (3 to 30)RR 0.24(0.08 to 90.76)
Mortality584 (8)36 per 100034 per 1000(23 to 51)RR 0.96(0.64 to 1.44)
Pneumonia585(6)39 per 100033 per 1000(24 to 45)RR 0.84(0.61 to 1.14)
Complications503(5)43 per 100043 per 1000(39 to 47)RR 1.00(0.91 to 1.11)

Clinical comments

Note

Date of latest search:

    References

    • Gomes CA Jr, Lustosa SA, Matos D et al. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy versus nasogastric tube feeding for adults with swallowing disturbances. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2012;3:CD008096. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords