Le syndrome de renutrition inappropriée : la clé du traitement est la prévention

Refeeding syndrome after radical cystoprostatectomy: A case report

Described as a potentially lethal condition that occurs in undernourished patients, refeeding syndrome (RFD) is a severe electrolyte disturbance that includes low intracellular serum concentrations of phosphor, magnesium and potassium in patients undergoing inappropriate oral or parenteral renutrition. We report a case of RFD in a 50-year-old male patient that occurs 22 days after a radical cystoprostatectomy. The patient was anorexic after the surgery, the body mass index decreased to 12,36 kg/m². The concentrations of albumin, magnesium, phosphor, and calcium were low. The Patient was admitted into the intensive care unit for severe cachexia and poor general condition 24 after introduction of parenteral nutrition (1500 Kcal/day). The evolution was lethal with multiple organ failure.

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The refeeding syndrome (SRI) is a complication occurring in malnourished patients during the reintroduction of enteral or parenteral energy intake.

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The clinical presentation can lead to a multiple organ failure.

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Earlier detection of patients at high risk of developing RFD is the main prevention.

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Prevention by substituting electrolytes and vitamins before initiating adequate support refeeding is crucial.

[Refeeding syndrome]

Refeeding syndrome (RS) is a rare but severe condition that is poorly understood, often under-diagnosed and can lead to death. It occurs within 5 days after refeeding in patients after prolonged fasting or in a context of undernutrition. As a consequence of the abrupt transition from catabolism to anabolism, RS is defined as a decrease in plasma levels of phosphorus, potassium and/or magnesium, whether or not associated with organ dysfunction resulting from a decrease in one of the electrolytes or a thiamine deficiency, after refeeding. The clinical symptoms are varied and non-specific and are related to hydro electrolyte disorders, sodium-hydroxide retention or failure of one or more organs. Patient management should be appropriate with regular clinical examination and careful biological monitoring, including hydro electrolyte monitoring. The correction of hydroelectrolytic disorders and systematic thiamine supplementation are essential during refeeding, that must be done carefully and very progressively, whatever its form (oral, enteral or parenteral). The severity of the refeeding syndrome indicates that its prevention and screening are the corners of its management in at-risk patients.

Malnutrition and refeeding syndrome prevention in head and neck cancer patients: from theory to clinical application

PURPOSE

The goal of this review is to raise awareness about refeeding syndrome (RFS) and to give a comprehensive presentation of recent guidelines and latest scientific data about nutritional management among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients while focusing on RFS prevention.

METHODS

A review of literature for nutritional assessment and RFS management was conducted. Electronic searches of Medline, Cochrane, PubMed and Embase databases for articles published in peer-reviewed journals were conducted from February to September 2017 using the keywords: "nutrition assessment", "head and neck cancer", "refeeding syndrome" and "guidelines". Articles, reviews, book references as well as national and international guidelines in English and French were included.

RESULTS

The prevalence of malnutrition is high in HNC patients and a large number of them will need artificial nutritional support or refeeding intervention. RFS is characterized by fluid and electrolyte imbalance associated with clinical manifestations induced by rapid refeeding after a period of malnutrition or starvation. Regarding risk factors for malnutrition and RFS, HNC patients are particularly vulnerable. However, RFS remains unrecognized among head and neck surgeons and medical teams. Practical data are summarized to help organizing nutritional assessment and refeeding interventions. It also summarizes preventive measures to reduce RFS incidence and morbidity in HNC population.

CONCLUSION

Nutritional assessment and early refeeding interventions are crucial for HNC patients care. As prevention is the key for RFS management, early identification of patients with high risks is crucial and successful nutritional management requires a multidisciplinary approach.

[Wasting in chronic kidney disease: Refeeding techniques and artificial nutrition practices]

Protein energy wasting (PEW) is an independent factor associated with morbi-mortality in chronic kidney disease. Wasting is particularly common in chronic diseases of organs such as kidney disease with a major impact at the stage of dialysis. It covers 20 to 70% of patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease according to the degree of evolution of the disease and the diagnostic method used patients. Mechanisms of PEW are based mainly on anorexia and metabolic abnormalities caused by kidney disease. Nutritional treatment differs depending on the stage of the kidney disease acute or chronic treated whether or not by dialysis. Nutritional monitoring should be regular, individualized and collaborative to detect a risk of PEW or treat installed PEW. Refeeding techniques should allow all the nutritional needs. Their indications depend on the clinic, biochemical assessment and nutrient intake.