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 Kenvue, the world’s largest pure-play consumer health company by revenue, launches 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.
In 2023, Kenvue in India collaborated with the Association of Physicians of India (API) for the ‘Hydration and Recovery Masterclass’. This certification programme aims to educate healthcare practitioners (HCPs) on the role of Fluid Electrolyte and Energy (FEE) management in aiding holistic recovery from various non-diarrheal illnesses. The online program comprises of four self-paced learning modules recorded by experts. Since the launch of the program, 9000+ HCPs have undergone certification. This is a marked upswing from when dehydration was frequently overlooked and under diagnosed. It is important to take the appropriate steps as dehydration is highly treatable before the symptoms worsen.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Commenting on the report findings, 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, states, “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.”
Dr B. Ravinder Reddy, senior gastrointestinal & general surgeon at CARE Hospital, Hyderabad said,“Majority of clinicians have a strong association with the role of fluid and electrolytes in diarrhea, but in acute non-diarrheal illnesses, the need for prevention and treatment of dehydration, as well as energy management, is often overlooked. In acute non-diarrheal illnesses, dehydration is also challenging to diagnose as presenting signs and symptoms vary. There is growing evidence which highlight the role of fluids, electrolytes and energy in supporting faster recovery during non-diarrheal illnesses.”
On the launch of the report, Nagarajan Ramasubramaniam, senior R&D director, Kenvue said, “Over the years, Kenvue in India has been advancing the science around oral FEE by collaborating with multidisciplinary experts for evidence generation to standardize guidelines around oral Fluids, Electrolytes and Energy (FEE) restoration in adults and children. The launch of The Hydration Gap for Non-Diarrheal Illnesses’ report marks a big step in this direction. As we move ahead, we will continue to work closely with HCPs to strengthen scientific literature and educate HCPs on this therapy area. We continue to innovate and upgrade our hydration and electrolyte drinks portfolio under ORSL to better serve HCP and consumer needs.”
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