Feeding tubes are medical devices used to provide nutrition to patients who cannot eat normally. They are tubular medical devices inserted into the gastrointestinal tract through either the nose or mouth and into the stomach, duodenum or jejunum. Feeding tubes help deliver liquid nourishment, fluids and medications directly into the digestive tract, allowing patients to receive adequate hydration and nutrition without needing to ingest or swallow food.CoherentMI talks about it in detail in Global Feeding Tubes Market.
Rising prevalence of chronic diseases driving market growth
The global feeding tubes market is witnessing significant growth due to rising prevalence of chronic diseases worldwide that impair normal eating abilities. Chronic diseases like cancer, neurological disorders, gastrointestinal diseases are leading causes of dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation often experience dysphagia due to treatment side effects which necessitate the use of feeding tubes. Similarly, neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and injuries to the head or neck area can also damage swallowing muscles and nerves, increasing dependency on enteral nutrition delivered via feeding tubes.
According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, gastrointestinal diseases affect over 1.4 billion people worldwide and induce dysfunction in various parts of the digestive tract inhibiting normal eating. Rising geriatric population prone to age-related health issues is another major factor driving the demand for feeding tubes globally. As per UN population data, the number of people aged 65 years and above will increase from about 524 million in 2010 to nearly 1.5 billion in 2050. This rise in the aging demographic will significantly impact the market for feeding tubes.
Naso-gastric tubes dominate product segment
Based on product, the global feeding tubes market is categorized into naso-gastric tubes, naso-jejunal tubes, gastrostomy tubes and jejunostomy tubes. Among these, naso-gastric tubes hold the largest market share currently due to their wider incorporation in hospital and home care settings for delivering short-term enteral nutrition. Naso-gastric tubes are non-surgical tubes inserted through the nose, down the esophagus and into the stomach. Some key advantages of NG tubes over other types include- easy and fast placement without the need for surgery, minimal invasiveness, ability to confirm proper placement through aspiration of gastric contents and potential for early removal to switch back to oral feeding.
However, gastrostomy and jejunostomy tubes are expected to witness faster growth in the long run due to their effectiveness in delivering prolonged enteral nutrition in chronically ill patients requiring feeding assistance for months or years. These involve minor surgical procedures but provide direct access to the stomach or small intestine, preventing risks of tube displacement or aspiration associated with Naso-gastric tubes. Rapid development of percutaneous endoscopic techniques to insert gastrostomy tubes has further enhanced their preference over open surgery methods.
Hospitals hold major revenue share in end-user segment
The key end-users of feeding tubes include hospitals, homecare settings and ambulatory surgical centers. Among these, hospitals currently account for the largest revenue share in the global feeding tubes market. Factors like high patient volume experiencing acute illnesses requiring short-term tube feeding and availability of skilled nursing workforce to manage tube feeding in hospitals are supporting its dominant position. However, growing preference for minimal invasive procedures and post-procedure home care is steadily increasing the adoption of feeding tubes in home care settings as well. Home enteral nutrition allows patients to receive adequate hydration and nutrition in a more comfortable environment while alleviating burden on hospitals. This is expected to boost the homecare segment’s growth rate over the forecast period.
North America leads global market, Asia Pacific to emerge as potential growth hotspot
Geographically, North America holds the top position in the global feeding tubes market share. Presence of advanced healthcare infrastructure, rising burden of chronic diseases and growing elderly population are major market drivers in the region. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 60 million Americans suffer from gastrointestinal diseases annually while the American Cancer Society notes that around 1.8 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S in 2020. Favorable reimbursement landscape for enteral feeding procedures in the country also supports regional market growth.
On the other hand, Asia Pacific is likely to witness lucrative opportunities for feeding tubes market players in the upcoming decade. Factors like rapid economic development, improving access to modern medical technologies, rising healthcare expenditure and growing prevalence of lifestyle-induced chronic illnesses are anticipated to fuel future demand from the region.
For more market dynamics on global feeding tubes market, refer complete research report on CoherentMI. The report offers comprehensive analysis of key regions, driving factors and challenges impacting market revenue growth.
Market Outlook
The global feeding tubes market size is projected to witness steady growth in the coming years primarily attributed to rapidly aging global demographics, rising global disease burden and adoption of enteral nutrition as a mainstream therapeutic area worldwide. New product innovations focusing on safety, reliability and ease-of-use will continue reshaping the competitive dynamics. Growing preference for minimally invasive procedures and home enteral nutrition is expected to mold future consumption patterns as well. Countries in Asia Pacific hold significant potential attributed to improving accessibility and affordability of advanced healthcare. Key players continue enhancing their geographic presence through strategic collaborations with regional distributors and service providers. Overall, with growing awareness and consistent market penetration, feeding tubes industry outlook appears positive globally.
