Kenvue on Friday launched its latest evidence report on the role of fluids, electrolytes and energy (FEE) in non-diarrheal illnesses which includes conditions like fevers, respiratory infections, viral illnesses, heat exhaustion, general weakness etc.
Only 3/10 physicians treat dehydration in Non-Diarrheal Illness patients
While the treatment of diarrheal diseases and associated dehydration is known with established guidelines, in contrast, the management of dehydration in non-diarrheal illness was mostly overlooked.
The expert panel agreed that a significant gap existed in knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) around use of fluid, electrolyte, and energy (FEE) solutions – Only 3/10 physicians recommended fluid, electrolyte, and energy (FEE) solutions to majority of patients with non-diarrheal illnesses, thereby delaying their recovery. An Indian Expert Panel based Delphi consensus recommendations were recently published focussed on managing dehydration associated with acute and chronic non-diarrheal illnesses in India with oral FEE.
“The expert panel agreed that dehydration in non-diarrheal illnesses is often overlooked and can be challenging to diagnose. The expert panel also agreed a significant gap in knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) around the use of FEE drinks to treat FEE deficits in acute non-diarrheal illnesses Survey-led research indicated that knowledge levels on non-diarrheal dehydration and its management were moderate amongst healthcare practitioners coupled with lower recommendation of FEE solutions to address dehydration, despite its benefits, taste and convenience,” the report revealed.
In a similar KAP study undertaken with pediatricians, a majority of them rated FEE management medium to high level of importance in acute non-diarrheal illnesses and reinforced the importance of identifying dehydration in children encompassing symptoms like abnormal skin turgor, dryness of the tongue and eyes, capillary refill time, frequency of passing urine, and tachycardia as reliable indicators of dehydration.
Faster recovery with ready-to-drink FEE formulations
The report highlights the role of ready-to-drink solutions is preferable for FEE restoration rather than plain water, coconut water, and ORS powders. Oral formulations with the right FEE balance are vital in supporting recovery from non-diarrheal illnesses.
“These ready-to-drink (RTDs) are preferred over plain water or other fluids as they are rich in electrolyte and energy content. The report also revealed that 87% of physicians agreed that FEE recommendations would help to improve the speed of recovery. 98% of prescribers agreed that ready-to-drink FEE drinks were more efficacious in shortening the time for recovery as compared to non-RTD FEE drinks and that patients would recover faster if they were given written prescriptions instead of verbal advice. When these protocols are adhered to, a study stated that majority reported improvement-feeling energized or hydrated from 20 minutes to 24 hours when a ready to drink fruit juice based electrolyte drink was used as adjuvant,” it stated.
Based on a clinical study, over 80% of physicians agreed that ready to serve electrolyte drink studied was well tolerated and clinically proven to improve hydration and energy in patients with non-diarrheal illnesses like fever and general weakness, the report revealed.
“In a subset of Knowledge attitude practices study, approximately, 45% of paediatricians considered that fluid and electrolyte deficits are due to a combination of sensible losses like vomiting, insensible losses (sweat, respiration), accompanied by insufficient fluid intake. Oral fluid electrolytes and energy replacement should be recommended from day 1 of non-diarrheal illness or patient visit,” Prof. Dr. N. L. Sridhar, M.D. (Paediatrics), LLB, Professor at the Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad; Director of NEO BBC Hospital, Vidyanagar, Hyderabad; and practicing at Safe Children’s Clinic, Namalagundu Junction, Seethaphalamandi, Secunderabad said.
