ORIGINAL ARTICLE Enteral feeding in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients C C. TANCHOCO, 1 C A. M CASTRO, 1 M F. VILLADOLID, 1 G CASIÑO, 2 M P. RODRIGUEZ, 1 C ROA, 2 C M A. DE LA CRUZ 2 AND F TANGCONGCO  2 1 Nutritional Science and Technology Division, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology and 2 Pulmonary Section, Department of Medicine, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines Enteral feeding in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients TANCHOCO CC, CASTRO CAM, VILLADOLID MF, CASIÑO G, RODRIGUEZ MP, ROA C, DE LA CRUZ CMA, TANGCONGCO F JR. Respirology 2001; 6: 43–50. Objective: The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of a defined formula diet with a blender- ized diet on nutritional and respiratory function parameters and to determine the bacteriological load of the two formulations. Methodology: Seventeen patients, aged 50–75 years, admitted to the University of the Philippines- Philippine General Hospital for chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema, were studied. They were divided into two groups according to dietary regimens. Each group of patients received either the standardized commercial formula or the blenderized formula for 2 weeks. Evaluation of dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, laboratory examinations and lung function were assessed. Subjective evaluation (patient’s and physician’s assessment) was also sought. Microbiological exam- inations were performed on the prepared enteral formulas. Results: There was a slight increase in weight and in pulmonary function in both groups but these results did not differ significantly. Possible formula contamination was confirmed. Furthermore, in the overall assessment, the physician and patients rated both formulas as comparable. Key words: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, enteral feeding, enteral nutrition, nutrition support. food. In these conditions, patients are hypercatabolic with marked increases in energy expenditure and nitrogen losses and, correspondingly, would require large quantities of high-quality nutrient to maintain homeostasis, promote wound healing, decrease risk of infection and other complications. There are, to date, two major forms of enteral feeding: commercial enteral formulas and blenderized diets, the latter being more commonly used in Metro Manila and being less expensive. 1 Problems and limitations are encountered in the use of either type of tube feeding formula. Commercial enteral formulas are gaining wide acceptance especially in private hospitals because these do not require costly ingredients, storage and labour, and bacterial contamination is controlled. 2 In addition, many of the most commonly used Respirology (2001) 6, 43–50 INTRODUCTION Enteral nutrition has become a major dietary man- agement strategy particularly for patients who are stressed, who undergo or have undergone trauma or major surgical procedure and who cannot and will not orally ingest the required quality and quantity of Correspondence: Celeste C. Tanchoco, Nutritional Science and Technology Division, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technol- ogy, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines. Email: cct@fnri.dost.gov.ph Received 3 June 1999; accepted for publication 13 September 2000.