Related Experiment Videos
Protein energy supplements in unwell elderly patients--a randomized controlled trial
J M Potter1, M A Roberts, J H McColl
1Victoria Infirmary, South Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust, Scotland, United Kingdom. jan.potter@guic.scot.nhs.uk
JPEN. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
|November 2, 2001
Summary
Oral protein energy supplements for elderly hospital patients improved nutritional status and reduced mortality, especially in those with poor baseline nutrition. These nutritional interventions show promising clinical benefits.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Clinical Nutrition
- Public Health
Background:
- Elderly medical admissions are at risk of malnutrition.
- Nutritional status can impact hospital outcomes.
- The effect of oral protein energy supplements on hospitalized elderly patients needs further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of oral protein energy supplements on nutritional status in elderly medical admissions.
- To determine if baseline nutritional state influences the effectiveness of supplementation.
- To evaluate the effects on mortality, hospital stay, functional recovery, and institutionalization.
Main Methods:
- Prospective randomized controlled trial involving 381 elderly patients.
- Patients stratified by nutritional category and randomized to treatment or control.
- Intervention: 3 daily servings of sip feed (540 kcal, 22.5 g protein) throughout hospitalization.
Main Results:
- Supplementation led to significantly better energy intake and weight gain across all groups.
- In the most malnourished patients, supplementation reduced mortality (p < .05) and improved functional outcomes (p < .04).
- Overall mortality showed a trend towards reduction with supplementation (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.35-1.13).
Conclusions:
- Prescribing oral sip feed supplements during hospitalization effectively reduces weight loss in elderly patients.
- Nutritional supplementation in elderly patients is associated with reduced mortality.
- Evidence suggests additional clinical benefits of nutritional support in this population.