Objective: Refeeding hypophosphatemia (RH) is a life-threatening complication in underweight patients with eating disorders (EDs). Although a lower body mass index (BMI) has been reported as a risk factor for RH, the exact BMI cut-off point is not known. Herein, we aimed to identify the optimal BMI cut-off point for RH in adults with EDs.
Method: The medical charts of Japanese inpatients with EDs at our hospital between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. The optimal BMI cut-off point for RH was determined via receiver operating characteristic analysis. Logistic regression analysis was subsequently performed to assess the association between RH and the BMI cut-off point after adjusting for the propensity score, which was based on known risk factors for RH.
Results: The optimal BMI cut-off point was identified as 12.6 kg/m2 . A BMI lower than the cut-off point significantly correlated with the occurrence of RH after adjusting for the propensity score.
Discussion: The optimal BMI cut-off point for the occurrence of RH was 12.6 kg/m2 in adults with EDs. The findings of the present study may facilitate clinical decision making and early identification of patients who require prophylactic treatment for RH.
Keywords: ROC curve; body mass index; eating disorders; refeeding hypophosphatemia; refeeding syndrome.
© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.