Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of the new catheter group and the pre‐existing catheter group (modified intention‐to‐treat population)
| Characteristic | New catheter group | Pre‐existing catheter group | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2% taurolidine (n = 36) | 0.9% saline (n = 35) | 2% taurolidine (n = 16) | 0.9% saline (n = 15) | |
| Female—no. of patients (%) | 21 (58) | 21 (60) | 8 (50) | 12 (80) |
| Age—median years (IQR) | 59 (51–68) | 55 (38‐61) | 47 (32–62) | 47 (35‐63) |
| Current medical condition—n (%) | ||||
| Short‐bowel syndrome | 18 (50) | 21 (60) | 12 (75) | 9 (60) |
| Gastrointestinal motility disorder | 14 (39) | 9 (26) | 4 (25) | 4 (27) |
| Mechanical obstruction | 3 (8) | 1 (3) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
| Extensive small bowel mucosal disease | 1 (3) | 2 (6) | 0 (0) | 2 (13) |
| Intestinal fistula | 0 (0) | 2 (6) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
| Underlying disease—no. of patients (%) | ||||
| Crohn's disease | 6 (17) | 11 (31) | 3 (19) | 1 (7) |
| Chronic idiopathic pseudo obstruction | 9 (25) | 6 (17) | 1 (6) | 3 (20) |
| Surgical complications | 8 (22) | 4 (11) | 0 (0) | 2 (13) |
| Mesenteric Ischaemia | 5 (14) | 7 (20) | 1 (6) | 0 (0) |
| Radiation enteritis | 2 (6) | 2 (6) | 1 (6) | 1 (7) |
| Adhesions | 0 (0) | 1 (3) | 2 (13) | 2 (13) |
| Other | 6 (17) | 4 (11) | 8 (50) | 6 (40) |
| Medication—no. of patients (%) | ||||
| Anticoagulantsa | 11 (31) | 12 (34) | 2 (13) | 3 (20) |
| Immunosuppressantsb | 4 (11) | 2 (6) | 2 (13) | 1 (7) |
| Opiatesc | 19 (53) | 16 (46) | 5 (31) | 6 (40) |
| Medical history—no. of patients (%) | ||||
| Diabetes | 2 (6) | 2 (6) | 0 (0) | 1 (7) |
| CRBSIs | 18 (50) | 9 (26) | 13 (81)d | 12 (80)d |
| Home parenteral nutrition naïve—no. of patients (%) | 13 (36) | 13 (37) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
| Type of venous access device—no. of patients (%) | ||||
| Hickman catheter | 19 (53) | 16 (46) | 9 (56) | 13 (87) |
| Broviac catheter | 11 (31) | 11 (31) | 2 (13) | 0 (0) |
| Peripheral central venous catheter | 2 (6) | 2 (6) | 4 (25) | 1 (7) |
| Subcutaneous port system | 4 (11) | 6 (17) | 1 (6) | 1 (7) |
| New venous access device—no. of patients (%) | 36 (100) | 32 (91)e | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
| Type of infusion components—no. of patients (%) | ||||
| Nutrition | 31 (86) | 25 (71) | 15 (94) | 12 (80) |
| Fluids | 5 (14) | 10 (29) | 1 (6) | 3 (20) |
| Number of infusions per week—Mean ± SD | 5.8 (1.6) | 6.5 (1.2) | 6.3 (1.2) | 5.9 (1.2) |
CRBSI, catheter‐related bloodstream infection; IQR, interquartile range; SD, standard deviation.
Anticoagulants comprise all anti‐thrombotic drugs, including acetylsalicylic acid, dipyridamole, phenprocoumon and warfarin.
Immunosuppressants comprise drugs that suppress or reduce the strength of the body's immune system, such as prednisolone, methotrexate or adalimumab.
Opiates comprise all drugs containing opium or its derivatives, such as codeine, tramadol, oxycodone or buprenorphine.
Six patients in the pre‐existing catheter group did not experience a CRBSI episode before study enrolment and were improperly included in the pre‐existing catheter group.
Three patients in the new catheter group received a CVAD already before study enrolment and were improperly included in the new catheter group.