Table 2.
Characteristics of the population according to the route of nutrient intake.
| PO (48%) | ETF (34%) | TPN (18%) | p-value | |
| Age (years) | 67.1±12 | 65.3±10 | 65.8±14 | ns |
| BMI | 23.1±6 | 21±4 | 19.4±3 | ns |
| Weight loss (%) | 18.9±10 | 18.7±13 | 16.2±6 | ns |
| Albumin (g/dl) | 3.8±0.4 | 3.4±0.4 | 3.7±0.8 | ns |
| Sodium (mEq/l) | 136.8±2.9 | 136.5±4.2 | 135±2.4 | ns |
| Potassium (mEq/l) | 4.2±0.5 | 3.5±0.5 | 4.1±0.2 | 0.03 |
| Total protein (g/dl) | 7.1±0.5 | 4.6±0.1 | 6.2±0.3 | 0.02 |
| TBW (%) | 60.3±10 | 62.8±6 | 63.4±5 | ns |
| FFM (%) | 78.4±13 | 79.8±9 | 87±7 | ns |
| FM (%) | 21.6±13 | 20.1±9 | 13±7 | ns |
| Number of visits | 0.46±0.8 | 0.8±1 | 1±1 | ns |