Is the risk of refeeding syndrome a problem in reaching nutritional requirements? A cohort of patients on enteral nutrition support

Background: refeeding syndrome (RS) is a metabolic complication associated with nutritional support. The lack of management protocols for patients on nutritional support may lead to the development of RS or undernourishment. Objective: to evaluate adherence to the algorithm for total enteral nutritional support (ASNET), and the efficacy of reaching nutrient requirements in patients at risk of RS. Methods: a cohort study: screening and nutritional evaluation of patients and risk of RS were performed. Adults admitted to hospital for noncritical illness who received exclusively enteral nutrition (EN) were eligible. Patients with RS, intestinal failure or chronic diarrhea were excluded. Adherence to ASNET was evaluated along with the efficacy of nutritional support to reach the optimal protein and energy requirement (OPER) and any associated complications. Patient follow-up ended when the feeding route was changed or upon discharge. Results: a total of 73 patients were included (mean age, 62 ± 16 yrs; BMI, 18.5 ± 4.2 kg/m2), and 55 % were men. All had nutritional risk of developing RS (57, low; 15, high; 1, very high); 34 % had adequate adherence to ASNET, and 33 % managed to cover the total requirement between 4 and 6 days. OPER was reached by 38 % by the fourth day of EN, and adequate adherence to ASNET increased the probability of achieving it (RR, 2.2; 95 % CI, 1.6-3.2, p < 0.0001) without increasing the associated complications. Nonetheless, 36 % developed complications, of whom 96 % did not adhere to ASNET. Conclusion: adherence to ASNET in patients at risk of RS allowed the achievement of OPER safely by day four with fewer associated complications.