Association between energy delivery from parenteral nutrition and refeeding syndrome in hospitalized adults: A retrospective cohort study

Background

Patients receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) may develop refeeding syndrome (RFS). This study determined RFS prevalence in hospitalized adults on PN and evaluated whether higher energy delivered by PN on day 1 of PN initiation was associated with RFS development.

Methods

We reviewed the medical records of adult patients receiving PN at a Thai quaternary hospital from June 2019 to May 2022. RFS was defined based on the Nutrition Management Clinical Practice Recommendation by the Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition of Thailand. The association between PN energy delivery and RFS development was determined using a generalized estimating equation for multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted for NICE guideline risk factors.

Results

A total of 547 patients was included (mean age 59.8 ± 17.2 years, mean body mass index 20.7 ± 4.8 ). The prevalence of RFS was 45%. Factors associated with RFS included energy from PN on the first day of PN initiation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.17; 95% CI 1.04–1.33; for every 5 kcal/kg/day increase), starvation >5 days prior to PN (aOR 1.54; 95% CI 1.04–2.26), concomitant diuretic use (aOR 1.81; 95% CI 1.25–2.64), low baseline potassium level (aOR 1.79; 95% CI 1.19–2.70), and individual compounding PN (aOR 1.61; 95% CI 1.04–2.51).

Conclusion

RFS was common among hospitalized patients receiving PN. The amount of energy delivered on the first day of PN was independently associated with RFS, raising a concern regarding initiation of PN with higher energy.