The Refeeding Syndrome revisited: you can only diagnose what you know

Janssen G, Pourhassan M, Lenzen-Großimlinghaus R, Jäger M, Schäfer R, Spamer C, Cuvelier I, Volkert D, Wirth R (2019)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2019

Journal

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition Nature Publishing Group: Open Access Hybrid Model Option B

DOI: 10.1038/s41430-019-0441-x

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The 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/METHODS: A 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. RESULTS: Of 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. CONCLUSIONS: Although 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.

Authors with CRIS profile

Dorothee Volkert Professur für Klinische Ernährung im Alter

Involved external institutions

Vincentius-Diakonissen-Kliniken DE Germany (DE) St. Elisabeth Gruppe GmbH - Katholische Kliniken Rhein-Ruhr DE Germany (DE) Klinikum Ernst von Bergmann DE Germany (DE) Hüttenhospital Dortmund-Hörde DE Germany (DE) Gemeinnützige Gesellschaft der Franziskanerinnen zu Olpe mbH (GFO) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Janssen, G., Pourhassan, M., Lenzen-Großimlinghaus, R., Jäger, M., Schäfer, R., Spamer, C.,... Wirth, R. (2019). The Refeeding Syndrome revisited: you can only diagnose what you know. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41430-019-0441-x

MLA:

Janssen, G., et al. "The Refeeding Syndrome revisited: you can only diagnose what you know." European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2019).

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