Figure 1.

Hypothetical outcome for weight before and after feeding tube insertion. This illustrates that “no change” in a nutritional parameter after PEG does not mean “no benefit.” This type of result, similar to that found by Löser, Wolters, and Fölsch (1998) clearly shows improvement in nutritional status. If data are only collected at baseline and after initiation of enteral nutrition, the benefit will not be apparent. Despite this, almost no studies of nutritional status report data prior to initiation of enteral nutrition.