Refeeding in anorexia nervosa.

Refeeding in anorexia nervosa is a collaborative enterprise involving multidisciplinary care plans, but clinicians currently lack guidance, as treatment guidelines are based largely on clinical confidence rather than more robust evidence. It seems crucial to identify reproducible approaches to refeeding that simultaneously maximize weight recovery and minimize the associated risks, in addition to improving long-term weight and cognitive and behavioral recovery and reducing relapse rates. We discuss here various approaches to refeeding, including, among others, where, by which route, how rapidly patients are best refed, and ways of choosing between them, taking into account the precautions or the potential effects of medication or of psychological care, to define better care plans for use in clinical practice.Conclusion: The importance of early weight gain for long-term recovery has been demonstrated by several studies in both outpatient and inpatient setting. Recent studies have also provided evidence to support a switch in current care practices for refeeding from a conservative approach to higher calorie refeeding. Finally, the risks of undernutrition/"underfeeding syndrome" and a maintenance of weight suppression are now better identified. Greater caution should still be applied for more severely malnourished < 70% average body weight and/or chronically ill, adult patients. What is Known: • Refeeding is a central part of the treatment in AN and should be a multidisciplinary and collaborative enterprise, together with nutritional rehabilitation and psychological support, but there are no clear guidelines on the management of refeeding in clinical practice. • The risk of a refeeding syndrome is well known and well managed in severely malnourished patients ("conservative approaches"). What is New: • There is evidence that early weight restoration has an impact on outcome, justifying an aggressive approach to refeeding in the early stages of the illness. • The risks of "underfeeding syndrome" and of a maintenance of weight suppression are now better identified and there is sufficient evidence to support a switch in current care practices for refeeding from a conservative approach to higher calorie refeeding. Graphical abstract.

[Quality management in weight restitution in Anorexia nervosa--pathophysiology, evidence-based practice and prevention of the refeeding syndrome]. / Zur Qualitätssicherung der Gewichtsrestitution bei Magersucht--Pathophysiologie, evidenzbasierte Praxis und Vermeidung des Refeeding-Syndroms.

During refeeding syndrome-a well-known and dreaded complication of weight-restauration in anorexia nervosa-a shift of electrolytes and fluid can occur in malnourished patients and might therefore lead to-potentially fatal-cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological symptoms. Causes of this are metabolic and hormonal changes during re-establishment of a carbohydrate-rich diet. This syndrome is most commonly associated with hypophosphatemia, which can however be accompanied by other chemical laboratory abnormalities. Standardized guidelines for the prevention and management of the refeeding syndrome have not yet been established. In case and cohort studies different low- and high-calorie diet protocols led to comparable results with similar complication rates. A focus should be placed on prevention of serious complications by careful monitoring. The pathophysiology, the main constituents in the development of the refeeding syndrome, recommendations for risk assessment and treatment, and current evidence are discussed.

Delirium and refeeding syndrome in anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature on delirium and refeeding syndrome in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and present case examples in an attempt to identify common clinical features and response to therapy. METHOD: A comprehensive literature review was completed. In addition to the cases identified in the literature, we present two additional cases of our own. RESULTS: We identified a total of 10 cases (all female; mean age 19 years old, range 12-29 years); 2/3 of the cases had similar clinical features predating the delirium and during refeeding. DISCUSSION: Delirium, albeit rare, can be associated with the refeeding syndrome in low weight patients with AN. During the initial refeeding phase, close monitoring of medical, metabolic, and psychological parameters are important in establishing factors that may elevate risk. Early detection and treatment of delirium using nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic means are also important to help minimize the effects of this potentially deadly condition.