Enteral Nutrition via Nasogastric Tube for Refeeding Patients With Anorexia Nervosa: A Systematic Review

Weight restoration is an important first step in treating patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), because it is essential for medical stabilization and reversal of long-term complications. Tube feeding may help facilitate weight restoration, but its role in treatment remains unclear. This study aimed to review the literature describing the efficacy, safety, tolerance, and long-term effects of nasogastric (NG) refeeding for patients with AN. Four electronic databases were systematically searched through May 2018. Boolean search terms included "anorexia nervosa," "refeeding," and "nasogastric tube feeding." Ten studies were eligible for inclusion: 8 retrospective chart reviews, 1 prospective cohort, and 1 randomized controlled trial. Nine of the studies were performed in-hospital. In 8 studies, NG nutrition resulted in an average rate of weight gain exceeding 1 kg/wk. In 4 of 5 studies including an oral-only control group, mean weekly weight gain and caloric intake were significantly higher in tube-fed patients. Six studies provided prophylactic phosphate supplementation, all with <1% occurrence rate of refeeding hypophosphatemia. Seven studies reported on other physiological disturbances, 6 evaluated medical and gastrointestinal side effects, 3 considered psychological outcomes, and 4 assessed patients postdischarge. Results indicated that NG feeding was not associated with an increased risk for adverse outcomes. Overall, in these studies, NG nutrition was considered safe and well tolerated, and effectively increased caloric intake and rate of weight gain in patients with AN. However, results are limited by weaknesses in study designs, and more rigorous methods are needed for development of evidence-based, standardized refeeding protocols.