Abstract
Background/ObjectivesThe Refeeding Syndrome (RFS) is a serious complication in patients receiving nutrition support after a period of severe malnutrition. We frequently recognize and diagnose the RFS due to increased awareness. Thus, we observe that many physicians do not know the RFS and that it is rarely diagnosed. The aim of the study was to determine whether physicians in Germany know the RFS.Subjects/MethodsA questionnaire with a case vignette about an older person who developed the RFS after initiation of nutritional therapy was submitted to German physicians and fifth year medical students, who were participants of educational lectures.ResultsOf the 281 participants who answered the respective question, 40 participants (14%) correctly diagnosed the RFS of the case vignette and 21 participants (8%) gave nearly correct answers. Indeed, the majority of the participants did not diagnose the RFS.ConclusionsAlthough the RFS may lead to fatal complications, it is unknown to the majority of the queried physicians. Therefore, there is a call to implement the RFS in respective curricula and increase systematic education on this topic.
Highlights
The Refeeding Syndrome (RFS) is a typical complication in patients receiving nutrition support after a period of severe malnutrition
Up to March 2019, 1410 journal articles can be found in Medline with the search term “refeeding” and 190 journal articles are published with the search term “refeeding syndrome” in the title
Defined by hypophosphatemia and severe symptoms occurring during the initial refeeding situation, the incidence of the RFS is suggested to be 2% among all hospital patients started on artificial nutrition [3]
Summary
The Refeeding Syndrome (RFS) is a typical complication in patients receiving nutrition support after a period of severe malnutrition. Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nürnberg, Germany documented the course of semi-starved Japanese prisoners following liberation [1]. One fifth of these prisoners died unexpectedly despite of refeeding and vitamin supplementation. Up to March 2019, 1410 journal articles can be found in Medline with the search term “refeeding” and 190 journal articles are published with the search term “refeeding syndrome” in the title. Defined by hypophosphatemia and severe symptoms occurring during the initial refeeding situation, the incidence of the RFS is suggested to be 2% among all hospital patients started on artificial nutrition [3]. Malnutrition leads to a progressive deficiency of electrolytes and micronutrients
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