Management and prevention of refeeding syndrome in medical inpatients: An evidence-based and consensus-supported algorithm

[Refeeding syndrome]

Refeeding syndrome (RS) is a rare but severe condition that is poorly understood, often under-diagnosed and can lead to death. It occurs within 5 days after refeeding in patients after prolonged fasting or in a context of undernutrition. As a consequence of the abrupt transition from catabolism to anabolism, RS is defined as a decrease in plasma levels of phosphorus, potassium and/or magnesium, whether or not associated with organ dysfunction resulting from a decrease in one of the electrolytes or a thiamine deficiency, after refeeding. The clinical symptoms are varied and non-specific and are related to hydro electrolyte disorders, sodium-hydroxide retention or failure of one or more organs. Patient management should be appropriate with regular clinical examination and careful biological monitoring, including hydro electrolyte monitoring. The correction of hydroelectrolytic disorders and systematic thiamine supplementation are essential during refeeding, that must be done carefully and very progressively, whatever its form (oral, enteral or parenteral). The severity of the refeeding syndrome indicates that its prevention and screening are the corners of its management in at-risk patients.

Refeeding risks in patients requiring intravenous nutrition support: Results of a two-centre, prospective, double-blind, randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Refeeding syndrome can result following excessive feeding of malnourished patients. The syndrome remains poorly defined but encompasses a range of adverse effects including electrolyte shifts, hyperglycaemia and other less well-defined phenomena. There are additional risks of underfeeding malnourished individuals. Studies of refeeding syndrome have generally focussed on critical care environments or patients with anorexia nervosa. Here we have conducted a two-centre, prospective, double-blind, randomised controlled trial amongst all patients referred to hospital nutrition support teams for intravenous nutrition support. We sought to determine whether electrolyte and other abnormalities suggestive of refeeding syndrome risk varied depending on initial rate of intravenous feeding.

METHODS

Patients at moderate or high risk of refeeding syndrome, as defined by United Kingdom National Institute of Health and Care Excellence guidelines, were screened for inclusion. Patients were randomised to receive either high (30 kcal/kg/day, 0.25 gN/kg/day) or low (15 kcal/day, 0.125 gN/kg/day) rate feeding for the first 48 h prior to escalation to standard parenteral nutrition regimens. The primary outcome was rates of potential refeeding risks within the first 7 days as defined by electrolyte imbalance or hyperglycaemia requiring insulin. Secondary outcomes included effects on QTc interval, infections and length of hospital stay. Statistical analysis was performed with χ² or Wilcoxon rank sum tests and all analysis was intention-to-treat. Problems with study recruitment led to premature termination of the trial. Registered on the EU Clinical Trials Register (EudraCT number 2007-005547-17).

RESULTS

534 patients were screened and 104 randomised to either high or low rate feeding based on risk of refeeding syndrome. Seven patients were withdrawn prior to collection of baseline demographics and were excluded from analysis. 48 patients were analysed for the primary outcome with potential refeeding risks identified in 46%. No differences in risks were seen between high and low rate feeding (p > 0.99) or high and moderate risk feeding (p = 0.68). There were no differences in QTc abnormalities, infection rates, or hospital length of stay between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In this randomised trial of rates of refeeding risk, in patients pre-stratified as being at high or moderate risk, we found no evidence of increased refeeding related disturbances in those commenced on high rate feeding compared to low rate. No differences were seen in secondary endpoints including cardiac rhythm analysis, infections or length of stay. Our study reflects real world experience of patients referred for nutrition support and highlights challenges encountered when conducting clinical nutrition research.

Diets with high carbohydrate contents were associated with refeeding hypophosphatemia: A retrospective study in Japanese inpatients with anorexia nervosa

OBJECTIVE

Refeeding hypophosphatemia (RH) is a potentially fatal complication in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), and its dietary preventive strategy is not well established. We aimed to examine the association between carbohydrate content in the diet and the occurrence of RH in inpatients with AN via retrospective medical chart review.

METHOD

We performed a chart review to collect data of patients with AN hospitalized at the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine of the University of Tokyo Hospital between April 1, 2012, and February 29, 2020. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the cutoff point of the percentage of carbohydrate content in the diet for the occurrence of RH. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed with occurrence of RH as the dependent variable and the carbohydrate content of more than the identified cutoff point as the independent variable adjusting for the risk factors for RH.

RESULTS

The percentage of carbohydrate content that is higher than the cutoff point obtained from the ROC analysis (58.4%) was significantly associated with the occurrence of RH, even after adjusting for variables associated with RH in univariate logistic regression analysis (age and body mass index) as well as the average daily calorie intake (odds ratio, 5.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.60-18.1; p = .0066).

DISCUSSION

We identified that diets with higher carbohydrate contents were associated with RH in inpatients with AN, even after adjusting for known risk factors. Our findings may promote the development of dietary preventive strategies against RH in inpatients with AN.

The Refeeding Syndrome: a neglected but potentially serious condition for inpatients. A narrative review

The Refeeding Syndrome (RFS) is a potentially serious, but still overlooked condition, occurring in individuals who are rapidly fed after a period of severe undernourishment. RFS derives from an abnormal electrolyte and fluid shifts leading to many organ dysfunctions. Symptoms generally appear within 2-5 days of re-feeding and may be absent/mild or severe and life threating, depending on the pre-existing degree of malnutrition and comorbidities. The lack of a standard definition and the nonspecificity of the symptoms make both incidence estimate and diagnosis difficult. In 2020, the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) proposed a unifying definition for the RFS and its severity classification. The awareness of the condition is crucial for identifying patients at risk, preventing its occurrence, and improving the management. The objectives of this narrative review were to summarize the current knowledge and recommendations about the RFS and to provide useful tips to help physicians to recognize and prevent the syndrome.

Hypophosphatemia in critically ill adults and children - A systematic review

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Phosphate is the main intracellular anion essential for numerous biological processes. Symptoms of hypophosphatemia are non-specific, yet potentially life-threatening. This systematic review process was initiated to gain a global insight into hypophosphatemia, associated morbidity and treatments.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted (PROSPERO CRD42020163191). Nine clinically relevant questions were generated, seven for adult and two for pediatric critically ill patients, and prevalence of hypophosphatemia was assessed in both groups. We identified trials through systematic searches of Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Quality assessment was performed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized controlled trials and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies.

RESULTS

For all research questions, we identified 2727 titles in total, assessed 399 full texts, and retained 82 full texts for evidence synthesis, with 20 of them identified for several research questions. Only 3 randomized controlled trials were identified with two of them published only in abstract form, as well as 28 prospective and 31 retrospective studies, and 20 case reports. Relevant risk of bias regarding selection and comparability was identified for most of the studies. No meta-analysis could be performed. The prevalence of hypophosphatemia varied substantially in critically ill adults and children, but no study assessed consecutive admissions to intensive care. In both critically ill adults and children, several studies report that hypophosphatemia is associated with worse outcome (prolonged length of stay and the need for respiratory support, and higher mortality). However, there was insufficient evidence regarding the optimal threshold upon which hypophosphatemia becomes critical and requires treatment. We found no studies regarding the optimal frequency of phosphate measurements, and regarding the time window to correct hypophosphatemia. In adults, nutrient restriction on top of phosphate repletion in patients with refeeding syndrome may improve survival, although evidence is weak.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence on the definition, outcome and treatment of clinically relevant hypophosphatemia in critically ill adults and children is scarce and does not allow answering clinically relevant questions. High quality clinical research is crucial for the development of respective guidelines.

Hypophosphatemia in a Specialized Intestinal Failure Unit: An Observational Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Patients with intestinal failure (IF) are prone to hypophosphatemia and shifts in magnesium and potassium levels. Although these shifts are often attributed to refeeding syndrome (RFS), the incidence of electrolyte shifts among patients with IF is unknown. We evaluated the occurrence of hypophosphatemia and other electrolyte shifts according to the functional and pathophysiological IF classifications.

METHODS

We consecutively included all patients' first admission to an IF unit from 2013 to 2017. Electrolyte shifts were defined as severe hypophosphatemia <0.6 mmol/L (mM) or any 2 other shifts below reference range, comprising hypomagnesemia <0.75 mM, hypophosphatemia <0.8 mM, or hypokalemia <3.5 mM. Outcomes included length of stay, central line-associated bloodstream infection, and other infections. Mortality was evaluated 6 months after discharge.

RESULTS

Of 236 patients with IF, electrolyte shifts occurred in 99 (42%), and 127 (54%) of these patients received intravenous supplementation with either phosphate, magnesium, or potassium. In patients who started parenteral nutrition, up to 62% of early-onset shifts (<5 days) related to refeeding, and up to 63% of late-onset shifts (≥5 days) could be ascribed to infections. Derangements occurred in 7 (18%) with type 1 IF, 53 (43%) with type 2 IF, and 39 (53%) readmitted patients with type 3 IF. Of 133 patients with IF secondary to short-bowel syndrome, 65 (49%) developed shifts.

CONCLUSION

In patients with IF, electrolyte shifts are frequent but not always due to RFS. Electrolyte shifts are common in patients with type 2 and those readmitted with type 3 IF.

Nutritional Care of Patients Admitted to Hospital for Alcohol Withdrawal: A 5-Year Retrospective Audit

AIM

The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and the nutritional approaches implemented with patients undergoing alcohol withdrawal.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of medical records for patients admitted to a tertiary hospital for alcohol withdrawal was completed over a 5-year period 2013-2017. Data on nutrition-related assessment and management were extracted and descriptively analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 109 medical records were included (M = 73, F = 36), with the mean age of patients 47.3 years (SD ± 11.2, range 22-70). The average length of stay was 3.7 days (SD ± 3.9, range 0.70-27.8). Approaches towards nutritional care emerged from micronutrient assessment and supplementation and/or dietetic consultation. Nutrition-related biochemistry data was available for most patients, notably serum levels of sodium, urea and creatinine (102 patients; 93.5%) and magnesium and phosphate (66 patients, 60.5%). There was evidence of some electrolyte abnormalities on admission to hospital. Eight patients had serum micronutrient status assessed; no patients had serum thiamine levels assessed. Parenteral thiamine was provided to 96 patients (88.0%) for 1.9 days (SD ± 1.1, range 1.0-6.0) with a mean dose of 2458.7 mg (SD ± 1347.6, range 300-6700 mg). Multivitamin supplementation was provided to 24 patients (22.0%). Only 23 patients (21.2%) were seen by a dietician of whom 16 underwent a comprehensive nutritional assessment and 3 were screened using the malnutrition screening tool.

CONCLUSION

Inconsistent nutritional assessment and management practices were identified across a diverse population group, whilst nutritional professionals were underutilized. Future research should benchmark current guidelines and multidisciplinary approaches considering the role of nutritional specialists in the team.

Mortality associated with new risk classification of developing refeeding syndrome in critically ill patients: A cohort study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Although refeeding syndrome (RFS) has been recognized as a potentially fatal metabolic complication, the definition of RFS has remained unclear. Recently, European researchers suggested an evidence-based and consensus-supported algorithm that consisted of a new RFS risk classification and treatment strategies for medical inpatients. The classification was based on the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) criteria for patients at risk of developing RFS. In this study, we aimed to investigate the frequency of each applied new risk group and the association between the new classification and mortality in critically ill patients.

METHODS

This cohort study was conducted at a Japanese metropolitan tertiary-care university hospital from December 2016 to December 2018. We included critically ill adult patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) via the emergency department and who stayed in the ICU for 24 h or longer. We applied the new risk classification based on the NICE RFS risk factors on ICU admission. The main exposure was risk classification of RFS: no risk, low risk, high risk, or very high risk. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality censored at day 30 after ICU admission. We performed a multivariable analysis using Cox proportional hazard regression.

RESULTS

We analyzed 542 patients who met the eligibility criteria. The prevalence of the four RFS risk classification groups was 25.8% for no risk, 25.7% for low risk, 46.5% for high risk, and 2.0% for very high risk. The 30-day mortality was 5.0%, 7.2%, 16.3%, and 27.3%, respectively (log-rank trend test: p < 0.001). In the multivariable Cox regression, adjusted hazard ratios with no risk group as a reference were 1.28 (95% CI 0.48-3.38) for low risk, 2.81 (95% CI 1.24-6.35) for high risk, and 3.17 (95% CI 0.78-12.91) for very high risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately half the critically ill patients were categorized as high or very high risk based on the new risk classification. Furthermore, as the risk categories progressed, the 30-day in-hospital mortality increased. Early recognition of patients at risk of developing RFS may improve patient outcomes through timely and optimal nutritional treatment.

Refeeding Syndrome in Patients Receiving Parenteral Nutrition Is Not Associated to Mortality or Length of Hospital Stay: A Retrospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Refeeding syndrome (RS) is characterized by severe electrolyte derangement that may be associated with worse clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients. In this study, we aim to assess the incidence of RS in inpatients receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) and its possible association with the length of hospital stay (LHS) and mortality.

METHODS

We conducted a historical cohort study involving adults receiving PN, monitored by a nutrition therapy team in a Brazilian public hospital. Data collection was made from electronic records. We assessed the presence of RS after PN therapy was initiated. The amount of energy delivered within 72 hours of PN, LHS, and mortality were compared between patients with and without RS.

RESULTS

One-hundred ninety-seven patients (aged 57.7 ± 14.1 years; 55.7% men) were followed for a median of 51 days. The incidence of RS was equal to 25.4%. The adequacy of energy delivered in relation to energy requirements within 72 hours (69.4% ± 29.3% vs 61.8% ± 21.6%) was higher in patients with RS than in those without RS (P = .054). The incidence of death was 55.3% and did not differ between groups. The median of LHS was equal to 51.0 (32.0-83.0) days, and it also did not differ between patients with and without RS.

CONCLUSION

RS was identified in 25% of patients receiving PN, but it was not associated to mortality and LHS, even when energy delivery was considered in combination to RS.

Refeeding Hypophosphatemia in Patients Receiving Parenteral Nutrition: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Predicting Its Occurrence

BACKGROUND

Patients receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) support may develop refeeding hypophosphatemia (RH), and its prevalence is highly variable in the literature. Identifying at-risk patients is crucial to minimize clinical complications. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines are used widely to assess the risk of RH, but they lack validation. We aim to (1) identify the prevalence of RH by multiple diagnostic criteria; (2) assess the predictive ability of the NICE guidelines for RH; and (3) identify important risk factors for RH and evaluate their predictive abilities for RH in a new model.

METHODS

This is a single-center retrospective study on adult patients with PN ≥48 hours. Prevalence of RH was determined by 4 established diagnostic criteria. Prognostic accuracy of the NICE guidelines were assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to develop a new risk-assessment model.

RESULTS

Of 149 enrolled patients, 23%-48% (35 to 72 of 149 patients) developed RH (depending on the diagnostic criteria used). The NICE guidelines demonstrated poor discrimination across all diagnostic criteria (ROC, 0.43-0.53). Critical illness, the use of diuretics, and hypomagnesemia prior to PN were independently associated with RH. These risk factors formed the new model for predicting RH and had good discrimination (ROC 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-0.82).

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of RH varied according to established diagnostic criteria. The current NICE guidelines poorly predict the occurrence of RH, and modification is likely beneficial. A new risk-assessment model was developed; nevertheless, further validation is required.

Refeeding syndrome: update and clinical advice for prevention, diagnosis and treatment

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this review is to provide a brief overview of the refeeding syndrome, to discuss more recent advice on diagnosis and treatment, and to raise awareness of this still poorly understood metabolic condition.

RECENT FINDINGS

To date, evidence regarding the refeeding syndrome has been very limited. A number of reviews and case reports exist, but only a few are randomized trials. Recently, it has been shown that the vast majority of physicians are unaware of this metabolic condition. Precise guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of this syndrome were lacking for a long time. Now, a consensus statement is available, providing guidance from experts in the field on the management of patients at increased risk of refeeding syndrome (RFS) receiving nutritional therapy.

SUMMARY

Due to the increased use of nutritional therapy in inpatient settings, physicians should be aware of possible side effects, particularly in connection with the refeeding syndrome. In this context, every patient should undergo a risk assessment for refeeding syndrome and stratification before starting nutritional therapy. For patients at high risk, nutritional support should be administered with adapted energy and fluid support during the replenishment phase. In addition, the occurrence of RFS during nutritional therapy must be continuously evaluated, and appropriate steps taken if necessary.

Refeeding syndrome in hematological cancer patients - current approach

Introduction: According to estimates based on the GLOBOCAN database of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, in 2018 alone, 18 100 000 cancers were globally diagnosed. Importantly, the majority of cancer patients experience unintended weight loss that leads to many adverse clinical consequences, including malnutrition and cancer cachexia. At the same time, each nutritional intervention must be carried out individually, as it can lead to critical complications, resulting in a threat to the health and life of the cachectic patient. An example of this type of risk is refeeding syndrome.Areas covered: Three factors seem to be crucial in this case: early identification of patients at risk of malnutrition, the introduction of an individualized diet regimen and constant monitoring of nutritional intervention. It seems equally important to spread awareness about the possibility of refeeding syndrome and knowledge about its patomechanisms and consequences among medical staff. This should lead to minimizing the risk of refeeding syndrome.Expert opinion: It should be noted that current guidelines on the pathogenesis, risk factors and methods of prevention and treatment of refeeding syndrome require further modifications, that would harmonize the management regimen in both prevention and therapy of refeeding syndrome.

Refeeding syndrome is associated with increased mortality in malnourished medical inpatients: Secondary analysis of a randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Whether the occurrence of refeeding syndrome (RFS), a metabolic condition characterized by electrolyte shifts after initiation of nutritional therapy, has a negative impact on clinical outcomes remains ill-defined. We prospectively investigated a subgroup of patients included in a multicentre, nutritional trial (EFFORT) for the occurrence of RFS.

METHODS

In this secondary analysis of a randomized-controlled trial investigating the effects of nutritional support in malnourished medical inpatients, we prospectively screened patients for RFS and classified them as "RFS confirmed" and "RFS not confirmed" based on predefined criteria (i.e. electrolyte shifts, clinical symptoms, clinical context, and patient history). We assessed associations of RFS and mortality within 180 days (primary endpoint) and other secondary endpoints using multivariable regression analysis.

RESULTS

Among 967 included patients, RFS was confirmed in 141 (14.6%) patients. Compared to patients with no evidence for RFS, patients with confirmed RFS had significantly increased 180-days mortality rates (42/141 (29.8%) vs 181/826 (21.9%), adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.53 (95% CI 1.02 to 2.29), P < .05). Patients with RFS also had an increased risk for ICU admission (6/141 (4.3%) vs 13/826 (1.6%), adjusted OR 2.71 (95% CI 1.01 to 7.27), P < .05) and longer mean length of hospital stays (10.5 ± 6.9 vs 9.0 ± 6.6 days, adjusted difference 1.57 days (95% CI 0.38-2.75), P = .01).

CONCLUSION

A relevant proportion of medical inpatients with malnutrition develop features of RFS upon hospital admission, which is associated with long-term mortality and other adverse clinical outcomes. Further studies are needed to develop preventive strategies for RFS in this patient population.

Management of Refeeding Syndrome in Medical Inpatients

Refeeding syndrome (RFS) is the metabolic response to the switch from starvation to a fed state in the initial phase of nutritional therapy in patients who are severely malnourished or metabolically stressed due to severe illness. It is characterized by increased serum glucose, electrolyte disturbances (particularly hypophosphatemia, hypokalemia, and hypomagnesemia), vitamin depletion (especially vitamin B1 thiamine), fluid imbalance, and salt retention, with resulting impaired organ function and cardiac arrhythmias. The awareness of the medical and nursing staff is often too low in clinical practice, leading to under-diagnosis of this complication, which often has an unspecific clinical presentation. This review provides important insights into the RFS, practical recommendations for the management of RFS in the medical inpatient population (excluding eating disorders) based on consensus opinion and on current evidence from clinical studies, including risk stratification, prevention, diagnosis, and management and monitoring of nutritional and fluid therapy.

Pharmaceutical Aspects of Artificial Nutrition

Artificial nutrition, including enteral (EN) and parenteral (PN) nutrition, is indicated whenever adequate oral nutrition fails to sufficiently supply the necessary nutrients to the body. It is a convenient, efficacious, safe, and well-tolerated form of clinical nutrition in the hospital and home setting. EN is administered via nasogastric tube or ostomies while PN usually requires a central venous access for administration, straight into the blood stream. The infused nutrients can then be taken up directly by the different organs. PN is targeted as a single daily portion formulated as an oil-in-water emulsion providing the necessary substrates for the catabolic and anabolic metabolism including macro- and micronutrients and fluids. PN has a complex pharmaceutical composition-all-in-one admixture-and its compounding or ready-to-use preparation. The use of PN is more challenging and more expensive compare to the use of EN, commercially available as ready-to-use formulations. EN and concomitant medication is highly challenging. Upon incorrect handling and administration, PN is associated with potentially severe or even fatal complications, mostly relating to the central venous access (e.g., catheter-related sepsis) or to a metabolic intolerance (e.g., hyperglycemia, refeeding syndrome) because of inappropriate administration. A correct order of admixing, correct dosing, and administration of the artificial is crucial for safety and efficacy; clinical and biochemical monitoring of the patient and treatment regimen adaption are necessary. The high number of reactive solutes allow only limited stability of a ready-to-use PN admixture. The potential for numerous incompatibilities and interactions renders PN admixtures generally unsuitable as drug vehicle. Laboratory compatibility and stability testing and pharmaceutical expertise are a prerequisite to define the PN composition including nutrients or even drugs admixed to define the appropriate and individualized nutrition and medication regimen. The aim of this narrative review is to present the actual state-of-the-art to deliver best quality artificial nutrition with special regard on pharmaceutical aspects such as instabilities, incompatibilities, and concomitant co-medication.

Refeeding Syndrome

Refeeding syndrome describes the metabolic disturbances and clinical sequelae that occur in response to nutritional rehabilitation of patients who are moderate to severely malnourished. When risk factors are not identified and nutrition therapy is not managed appropriately, devastating consequences such as electrolyte depletion and imbalances, fluid overload, arrhythmia, seizure, encephalopathy, and death may occur. As this entity is often unrecognized, especially in pediatrics, becoming familiar with the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and management strategies will help clinicians caring for children avoid unnecessary morbidity and mortality. [Pediatr Ann. 2019;48(11):e448-e454.].

Body mass index cut-off point associated with refeeding hypophosphatemia in adults with eating disorders

OBJECTIVE

Refeeding hypophosphatemia (RH) is a life-threatening complication in underweight patients with eating disorders (EDs). Although a lower body mass index (BMI) has been reported as a risk factor for RH, the exact BMI cut-off point is not known. Herein, we aimed to identify the optimal BMI cut-off point for RH in adults with EDs.

METHOD

The medical charts of Japanese inpatients with EDs at our hospital between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. The optimal BMI cut-off point for RH was determined via receiver operating characteristic analysis. Logistic regression analysis was subsequently performed to assess the association between RH and the BMI cut-off point after adjusting for the propensity score, which was based on known risk factors for RH.

RESULTS

The optimal BMI cut-off point was identified as 12.6 kg/m² . A BMI lower than the cut-off point significantly correlated with the occurrence of RH after adjusting for the propensity score.

DISCUSSION

The optimal BMI cut-off point for the occurrence of RH was 12.6 kg/m² in adults with EDs. The findings of the present study may facilitate clinical decision making and early identification of patients who require prophylactic treatment for RH.

Medical Nutrition Therapy in Critically Ill Patients Treated on Intensive and Intermediate Care Units: A Literature Review

Medical nutrition therapy in critically ill patients remains challenging, not only because of the pronounced stress response with a higher risk for complications, but also due to their heterogeneity evolving from different phases of illness. The present review aims to address current knowledge and guidelines in order to summarize how they can be best implemented into daily clinical practice. Further studies are urgently needed to answer such important questions as best timing, route, dose, and composition of medical nutrition therapy for critically ill patients and to determine how to assess and to adapt to patients’ individual needs.

Efficacy and Efficiency of Nutritional Support Teams

Malnutrition is frequent in patients during a hospital admission and may further worsen during the hospital stay without appropriate nutritional support. Malnutrition causes greater complication rates, morbidity, and mortality rates, which increases the length of hospital stay and prolongs rehabilitation. Early recognition of individual nutritional risk and timely initiation of a tailored nutritional therapy are crucial. Recent evidence from large-scale trials suggests that efficient nutritional management not only improves the nutritional status, but also prevents negative clinical outcomes and increases patients’ quality of life. Multifaceted clinical knowledge is required to ensure optimal nutritional support, according to a patient’s individual situation and to avoid potential complications. Furthermore, clear definition of responsibilities and structuring of patient, and work processes are indispensable. Interdisciplinary and multiprofessional nutritional support teams have been built up to ensure and improve the quality and safety of nutritional treatments. These teams continuously check and optimize the quality of procedures in the core areas of nutritional management by implementing nutritional screening processes using a validated tool, nutritional status assessment, an adequate nutritional care plan development, prompt and targeted nutritional treatment delivery, and provision of accurate monitoring to oversee all aspects of care, from catering to artificial nutrition. The foundation of any nutritional care plan is the identification of patients at risk. The aim of this narrative review is to provide an overview about composition, tasks, and challenges of nutritional support teams, and to discuss the current evidence regarding their efficiency and efficacy in terms of clinical outcome and cost effectiveness.

Nutritional Management of Medical Inpatients

Malnutrition is a common condition in hospitalized patients that is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Hospital malnutrition has multifactorial causes and is associated with negative clinical and economic outcomes. There is now growing evidence from clinical trials for the efficiency and efficacy of nutritional support in the medical inpatient population. Since many medical inpatients at nutritional risk or malnourished are polymorbid (i.e., suffer from multiple comorbidities), this makes the provision of adequate nutritional support a challenging task, given that most of the clinical nutrition guidelines are dedicated to single diseases. This review summarizes the current level of evidence for nutritional support in not critically ill polymorbid medical inpatients.

Management of Malnutrition in Older Patients-Current Approaches, Evidence and Open Questions

Malnutrition is widespread in older people and represents a major geriatric syndrome with multifactorial etiology and severe consequences for health outcomes and quality of life. The aim of the present paper is to describe current approaches and evidence regarding malnutrition treatment and to highlight relevant knowledge gaps that need to be addressed. Recently published guidelines of the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) provide a summary of the available evidence and highlight the wide range of different measures that can be taken-from the identification and elimination of potential causes to enteral and parenteral nutrition-depending on the patient's abilities and needs. However, more than half of the recommendations therein are based on expert consensus because of a lack of evidence, and only three are concern patient-centred outcomes. Future research should further clarify the etiology of malnutrition and identify the most relevant causes in order to prevent malnutrition. Based on limited and partly conflicting evidence and the limitations of existing studies, it remains unclear which interventions are most effective in which patient groups, and if specific situations, diseases or etiologies of malnutrition require specific approaches. Patient-relevant outcomes such as functionality and quality of life need more attention, and research methodology should be harmonised to allow for the comparability of studies.

Circadian rhythm of activin A and related parameters of mineral metabolism in normal and uremic rats

Activin A is a new fascinating player in chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD), which is implicated in progressive renal disease, vascular calcification, and osteodystrophy. Plasma activin A rises early in the progression of renal disease. Disruption of circadian rhythms is related to increased risk of several diseases and circadian rhythms are observed in mineral homeostasis, bone parameters, and plasma levels of phosphate and PTH. Therefore, we examined the circadian rhythm of activin A and CKD-MBD-related parameters (phosphate, PTH, FGF23, and klotho) in healthy controls and CKD rats (5/6 nephrectomy) on high-, standard- and low-dietary phosphate contents as well as during fasting conditions. Plasma activin A exhibited circadian rhythmicity in healthy control rats with fourfold higher values at acrophase compared with nadir. The rhythm was obliterated in CKD. Activin A was higher in CKD rats compared with controls when measured at daytime but not significantly when measured at evening/nighttime, stressing the importance of time-specific reference intervals when interpreting plasma values. Plasma phosphate, PTH, and FGF23 all showed circadian rhythms in control rats, which were abolished or disrupted in CKD. Plasma klotho did not show circadian rhythm. Thus, the present investigation shows, for the first time, circadian rhythm of plasma activin A. The rhythmicity is severely disturbed by CKD and is associated with disturbed rhythms of phosphate and phosphate-regulating hormones PTH and FGF23, indicating that disturbed circadian rhythmicity is an important feature of CKD-MBD.

Individualised nutritional support in medical inpatients at nutritional risk: a randomised clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Guidelines recommend the use of nutritional support during hospital stays for medical patients (patients not critically ill and not undergoing surgical procedures) at risk of malnutrition. However, the supporting evidence for this recommendation is insufficient, and there is growing concern about the possible negative effects of nutritional therapy during acute illness on recovery and clinical outcomes. Our aim was thus to test the hypothesis that protocol-guided individualised nutritional support to reach protein and caloric goals reduces the risk of adverse clinical outcomes in medical inpatients at nutritional risk.

METHODS

The Effect of early nutritional support on Frailty, Functional Outcomes, and Recovery of malnourished medical inpatients Trial (EFFORT) is a pragmatic, investigator-initiated, open-label, multicentre study. We recruited medical patients at nutritional risk (nutritional risk screening 2002 [NRS 2002] score ≥3 points) and with an expected length of hospital stay of more than 4 days from eight Swiss hospitals. These participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either protocol-guided individualised nutritional support to reach protein and caloric goals (intervention group) or standard hospital food (control group). Randomisation was done with variable block sizes and stratification according to study site and severity of malnutrition using an interactive web-response system. In the intervention group, individualised nutritional support goals were defined by specialist dietitians and nutritional support was initiated no later than 48 h after admission. Patients in the control group received no dietary consultation. The composite primary endpoint was any adverse clinical outcome defined as all-cause mortality, admission to intensive care, non-elective hospital readmission, major complications, and decline in functional status at 30 days, and it was measured in all randomised patients who completed the trial. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02517476.

FINDINGS

5015 patients were screened, and 2088 were recruited and monitored between April 1, 2014, and Feb 28, 2018. 1050 patients were assigned to the intervention group and 1038 to the control group. 60 patients withdrew consent during the course of the trial (35 in the intervention group and 25 in the control group). During the hospital stay, caloric goals were reached in 800 (79%) and protein goals in 770 (76%) of 1015 patients in the intervention group. By 30 days, 232 (23%) patients in the intervention group experienced an adverse clinical outcome, compared with 272 (27%) of 1013 patients in the control group (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0·79 [95% CI 0·64-0·97], p=0·023). By day 30, 73 [7%] patients had died in the intervention group compared with 100 [10%] patients in the control group (adjusted OR 0·65 [0·47-0·91], p=0·011). There was no difference in the proportion of patients who experienced side-effects from nutritional support between the intervention and the control group (162 [16%] vs 145 [14%], adjusted OR 1·16 [0·90-1·51], p=0·26).

INTERPRETATION

In medical inpatients at nutritional risk, the use of individualised nutritional support during the hospital stay improved important clinical outcomes, including survival, compared with standard hospital food. These findings strongly support the concept of systematically screening medical inpatients on hospital admission regarding nutritional risk, independent of their medical condition, followed by a nutritional assessment and introduction of individualised nutritional support in patients at risk.

FUNDING

The Swiss National Science Foundation and the Research Council of the Kantonsspital Aarau, Switzerland.

Risk of refeeding syndrome. Case report

Introduction: Refeeding syndrome is an acute metabolic disorder that occurs during nutritional repletion. Although it has been known for years, the early detection of risk factors for its onset and the implementation of measures to prevent it are not common in nutritional care.Case presentation: 48-year-old male patient, in critical care for 6 days, with suspected Wernicke-Korsakoff encephalopathy and high risk of refeeding syndrome according to criteria of the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence. The subject received enteral nutrition with 14 kcal/kg for the first 3 days, with subsequent increases aiming to achieve a nutritional goal of 25 kcal/kg on day 5.  He also received daily supplementation of thiamine 600mg, folic acid 5mg and pyridoxine 50mg. Blood phosphorus decreased from 3 mg/dL to 2 mg/dL the day after initiating the nutritional plan and normalized by day 3.Discussion: The patient did not present severe hypophosphatemia or clinical manifestations of refeeding syndrome. Hypophosphatemia was resolved by maintaining a stable caloric restriction during the first days. Some professionals consider this restriction as very conservative, and others think that it may lead to achieve significant improvements in mortality reduction.Conclusions: The strategy for assessing the risk of refeeding syndrome, nutritional management and implemented follow-up were successful in preventing the patient from developing a refeeding syndrome.

Quality improvement initiative to reduce adverse effects associated with parenteral nutrition overfeeding

OBJECTIVE

Parenteral nutrition (PN) overfeeding is a potential risk factor in the development of infections and other complications including hyperglycaemia, refeeding syndrome and liver dysfunction. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of a quality improvement initiative to reduce PN overfeeding.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study of a quality improvement initiative.

SETTING

A health system comprised of two US Department of Veterans Affairs medical centres.

PATIENTS

Patients receiving PN.

INTERVENTIONS

Methods to reduce overfeeding included the use of standardised PN products with lower dextrose to amino acid ratios, reduced use of intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE), and use of adjusted body weights or guideline-recommended predictive equations for energy requirements.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome measures were the doses of kilocalories, amino acids and ILE in each cohort. The proportions of patients developing complications before and after the intervention were evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean maximum total daily kilocalorie dose was 30.2 kcal/kg/day in the preintervention group (n=86) vs 23.4 kcal/kg/day in the postintervention group (n=62) (p<0.001). More patients in the postintervention group received reduced ILE during the first week of PN therapy compared with the preintervention group (p<0.001). The mean maximum total daily amino acid dose in each group was not significantly different. Significantly fewer cases of central line-associated bloodstream infections, hyperglycaemia and liver dysfunction were observed in the postintervention group.

CONCLUSIONS

A quality improvement initiative to reduce PN overfeeding was effective in reducing kilocalorie and ILE doses while maintaining similar amino acid doses. Observed complications were reduced following the intervention.

Refeeding syndrome in the frail elderly population: prevention, diagnosis and management

Aging is linked to physiological and pathophysiological changes. In this context, elderly patients often are frail, which strongly correlates with negative health outcomes and disability. Elderly patients are often malnourished, which again is an independent risk factor for both frailty and adverse clinical outcomes. Malnutrition and resulting frailty can be prevented by adequate nutritional interventions. Yet, use of nutritional therapy can also have negative consequences, including a potentially life-threatening metabolic alteration called refeeding syndrome (RFS) in high-risk patients. RFS is characterized by severe electrolyte shifts (mainly hypophosphatemia, hypomagnesemia and hypokalemia), vitamin deficiency (mainly thiamine), fluid overload and salt retention leading to organ dysfunction and cardiac arrhythmias. Although the awareness of malnutrition among elderly people is well established, the risk of RFS is often neglected, especially in the frail elderly population. This partly relates to the unspecific clinical presentation and laboratory changes in the geriatric population. The aim of this review is to summarize recently published recommendations for the management of RFS based on current evidence from clinical studies adapted with a focus on elderly patients.