Ann Clin Nutr Metab.  2022 Dec;14(2):72-80. 10.15747/ACNM.2022.14.2.72.

Refeeding Syndrome in Critically Ill Patients

• Ha SW
• Hong SK

• KMID: 2536437
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15747/ACNM.2022.14.2.72

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of this study is to demonstrate clinical characteristics of refeeding syndrome (RS) and clinical utility of several guidelines including American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition consensus recommendations for RS and National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines.
Materials and Methods
Eighty-six patients screened for RS based on two guidelines were enrolled in this study. We evaluated the severity of RS after the initiation of ‘dextrose infusion’ and ‘balanced nutrition support’ with calculation of 5-day electrolyte changes. The primary outcome was 6-month mortality and secondary outcomes were duration of intensive care unit stay in days, duration of mechanical ventilation in days, and ventilator-free days at the 28th day.
Results
We observed statistically different distributions in terms of prevalence of RS on the basis of two different start times of caloric support (P=0.021). There was no statistically significant relationship between the risk of RS and severity of RS based on both guidelines. Also, the relevance between severity of RS and outcomes was not significant in our study. In multivariable logistic regression analysis of factors associated with outcomes, the significant factor for primary outcome was the ‘patients with significant risk’ (odds ratio, 9.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.83~50.90; P=0.007).
Conclusion
We demonstrated that even initial administration of dextrose solution and propofol could cause severe RS in critically ill patients. In addition, significant risk of RS was a predictive factor for 6-month mortality. Thus, it is essential to monitor the occurrence of RS even during initial resuscitation in patients with unstable metabolism.

Keyword

Intensive care unit; Mortality; Phosphorus; Potassium; Refeeding syndrome