P124 An investigation of taste preference to oral nutritional supplement drinks (ONS) in adolescent and adult Crohn’s disease (CD) and attitudes towards their long-term use

Abstract

Background: The primary aim of this study was to establish the feasibility of replacing 35-50% food intake with ONS known as “Partial Enteral Nutrition” (PEN) for maintenance of remission in CD. The secondary aim was to establish patient attitudes towards long-term use. Methods: This was a cross-sectional single-blind intervention study conducted over 12 weeks (July-September 2017). Study participants consisted of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CD recruited from University College London Hospital outpatient clinic. Patients were given 5 × 25 ml samples of ONS drinks which were each rated on six characteristics using a 9-point Hedonic on a scale from 1 = like extremely to 9 = dislike extremely. Based on the preferred ONS drink patients were asked to complete a further questionnaire to assess perceived barriers and benefits to long-term use including questions developed to measure the perceived food-related quality of life and psychosocial impact of PEN. Results: 31 patients were recruited 22 adults (range 23-80) and 9 adolescents (range 16-22), 16 males (52%) and 15 females (48%). 81% were white and 19% were Asian. (Table presented) The main perceived barriers towards long-term consumption were “unable to get the full pleasure from eating and drinking” (60%) and “would get bored of the taste” (72%). The main perceived benefits were “it would help provide all of the nutrients that I need”(79%) “I would think less about how my condition is affected by food and drink” (84%). 80% of patients felt it would improve their energy levels and 70% of participants believed PEN would reduce gastrointestinal symptoms. 60% of patients reported that they would consider taking the drinks in place of their current maintenance medication but only 25% were confident they would be able to adhere to the treatment for 12 months. Conclusions: Despite the high number of perceived benefits of PEN most patients were not confident they could adhere to long-term use. However, as this study was based on hypothetical views towards long-term use after trialling only a sample of the ONS, future studies should look at giving patients a week or month supply of ONS drinks to add more validity to these findings.