Related Experiment Videos
Prevalence of malnutrition in patients in general practice
J Edington1, P Kon, C N Martyn
1Medical Division, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott House, Norden Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 4XE, UK.
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of malnutrition in patients living at home with cancer and chronic diseases. Patients (213) with cancer and 228 patients with chronic diseases were randomly selected from general practice registers. Nutritional status was determined from body mass index (BMI in kg/metre2), triceps skinfold thickness (TST), mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) and population centiles. Patients were classified as mildly malnourished if they had a BMI < 20 and TST or MAMC < 15th centile, moderately malnourished if they had a BMI < 18 and TST or MAMC < 5th centile, and severely malnourished if they had a BMI < 16 and TST or MAMC < 5th centile. Using these criteria, nearly 10% of patients were malnourished: 24 (5.4%) mildly, 12 (2.7%) moderately and 4 (0.01%) severely. Malnutrition was more common in patients in social classes 3.2, 4 and 5 than in social classes 1, 2 and 3.1 (P = 0.003), and in patients receiving district nurse care (P < 0.001). Malnutrition was more prevalent in cancer patients who complained of chronic or severe pain (32% vs 12%, P = 0.021) and in patients with chronic disorders who experienced mental apathy (22% vs 5%, P = 0.014). Clinicians need to be aware that malnutrition is common in patients living at home. In this study BMI proved to be a fairly good indicator of malnutrition and routine measurement of BMI would be one simple way of detecting patients who are at risk.
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube through...
Overview of Protein Metabolism
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
SBAR II: Application of SBAR
SBAR Report from a Nurse to a Health Care Provider
S: "Hello, Dr. Smith. This is Jane, RN, from the Med Surg unit. I am calling to tell you about Ms. White in Room 210, who is experiencing increased pain and redness at her incision site. Her recent...