Timing and route of enteral tube feeding did not affect death or combined death or poor outcome in stroke and dysphagia
Q In patients with recent stroke and dysphagia, does early initiation of enteral tube feeding (ETF) (v no tube feeding for ⩾7 d) improve outcomes (study 1)? In these patients, does ETF by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) (v nasogastric [NG] tube) improve outcomes (study 2)?
METHODS
Design:
2 randomised controlled trials with similar designs (FOOD [Feed Or Ordinary Diet] trials).
Allocation:
concealed.
Blinding:
blinded {data collectors and outcome assessors}.*
Follow up period:
6 months.
Setting:
83 hospitals in 15 countries (study 1) and 47 hospitals in 11 countries (study 2).
Patients:
patients who were admitted to hospital with recent stroke (⩽7 d before admission) and had dysphagia were enrolled in study 1 (n = 859, mean age 76 y, 46% men) if the clinician was uncertain about when to start tube feeding; or in study 2 (n = 321, mean age 76 y, 45% men) if the clinician chose to start tube feeding but was uncertain about whether …
