Single‐Center,Adult Chronic Intestinal Failure Cohort Analyzed According to the ESPEN‐Endorsed Recommendations,Definitions, and Classifications

Background/Aims: The objective of this study was to describe a clinically well‐defined, single‐center, intestinal failure (IF) cohort based on a template of definitions and classifications endorsed by the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN). Methods: A cross‐sectional, retrospective, adult IF cohort, receiving parenteral support (PS), was extracted from the Copenhagen IF database at the tertiary IF center, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark. Results: Rigshospitalet provided PS to 188 adult patients with IF on December 31, 2011. Six patients received only fluids and electrolytes, while 97% required parenteral energy (17 ± 12 kcal/kg/d). Although 92% of the cohort had undergone intestinal resection, only 53% were classified as patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) according to the pathophysiological classification. In the remaining cohort, patients were distributed as 5% with intestinal fistula, 12% with intestinal dysmotility, 5% with mechanical obstruction, and 14% with mucosal diseases. Twelve percent had a combination of pathophysiological causes. The patients with SBS (n = 100) were subdivided according to bowel anatomy into group 1 (jejuno/ileostomy, n = 82), group 2 (jejuno‐colonic‐anastomosis, n = 16), and group 3 (jejuno‐ileo‐colonic‐anastomosis, n = 2). When evaluating the cohort requirements for PS using the ESPEN chronic IF classification based on the need for fluid volume and energy, 53% of the patients with IF were distributed in the maximum categories. Conclusion: The orphan condition of IF with its large patient heterogeneity mandates establishment of uniform definitions and a harmonization of classifications. As illustrated, the ESPEN‐endorsed definitions and classifications are well designed and may serve as a common uniform template to facilitate both intra‐ and intercenter comparisons between reference centers and thus outcome results.