Incidence of Refeeding Syndrome in Consecutively Admitted Patients

Refeeding Syndrome - Incidence and Risk Factors: An Observational Study on Patients With G-I Disease and Head-neck Cancer

The incidence and main risk-factors analyzed in consecutive in-patients in the departments og gastroenterology and ear-nose and throat diseases (cancer in radiation therapy)

Patients with either parenteral- or tube feeding enter the study to assure sufficient nutrition.

During hospitalization patients were monitored with daily blood samples and clinical evaluation of symptoms in addition to the coverage of energy and protein in percent of estimated needs.

Refeeding phenomenon was defined as a decrease in plasma phosphate after the initiation of nutrition.

Refeeding syndrome as refeeding phenomenon and one or more relevant symptoms in addition (hypotension, cardiac arrhythmia, edema, confusion)

Inclusion Criteria:

• planned tube- or parenteral nutrition (complete or supplementary)
• > 18 years
• written consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Renal insufficiency (p-creatinine >200 micromol/l)
• Lack of ability to communicate (registration of nutritional intake etc)