Incidence of risk of refeeding syndrome in hospitalized patients

Abstract

Introduction: enteral or parenteral nutritional therapy in the hospital setting is recommended to guarantee the nutritional requirements of patients. A complication of nutritional support (NS) is the occurrence of refeeding syndrome (RFS), a poorly diagnosed and potentially fatal clinical situation. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of the risk of RFS in hospitalized patients who started NS.

Materials and method: observational, analytical and prospective study. Adult patients admitted to an acute care hospital who started enteral or parenteral NS from April to December 2022 were included. The variable RFS risk was defined according to ASPEN criteria. The occurrence of RFS was defined as a function of the occurrence of compatible symptoms.

Results: 66 patients who started NS were registered, 59% men, average age 63±18.5 years. Of the total number of patients included, 62.1% were at risk of RFS. Hydroelectrolyte alterations were found in 62% of the patients in the sample. Of the total number of patients included, none had RFS.

Conclusion: a high percentage of hospitalized patients who started NS were at risk of RFS.