Background: Home parenteral nutrition is established as standard management for patients with chronic severe intestinal failure. Although the treatment is welcomed by many patients, there are psychological consequences of living with a central venous catheter and there are associated restrictions to the lives of patients on home parenteral nutrition. A subgroup of home parenteral nutrition patients may use their central venous catheter for self-harm.
Aims: To review existing literature relating to abnormal psychological responses to central venous catheters in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition and the psychological meaning of living with a central venous catheter. It also attempts to alert professionals to ways in which patients may self-harm using their central venous catheters.
Methods: A literature review was performed. Data were obtained both from literature searches and from personal experience at a Psychological Medicine Unit attached to a large home parenteral nutrition centre.
Results: Patients receiving home parenteral nutrition may use their central venous catheter in various ways to self-harm. Motivation may be conscious or unconscious. Sequelae of such self-harm may be life-threatening.
Conclusion: This paper concludes with recommendations for best practice with respect to the psychological management of home parenteral nutrition patients in whom central venous catheter abuse is suspected.