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Malnutrition in the UK: where does it begin?
1ca.russell@btinternet.com
The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society
|June 17, 2010
Summary
Malnutrition affects over 3 million people in the UK, primarily in the community. Early screening using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Over 3 million individuals in the UK face malnutrition risk, with 93% residing in the community.
- BAPEN's surveys reveal significant malnutrition prevalence (28% in hospitals, 30-40% in care homes) upon admission.
- Malnutrition is prevalent in community settings, including outpatient clinics (16-20%) and sheltered housing (10-14%).
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish the magnitude of the malnutrition problem across various UK care settings.
- To identify the origins of malnutrition, particularly its prevalence in the community before formal care.
- To highlight the need for integrated strategies for malnutrition management across healthcare.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from BAPEN's Nutrition Screening Week surveys.
- Applied the 'Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool' ('MUST') criteria for risk assessment.
- Analyzed malnutrition prevalence in hospital admissions, care homes, outpatient clinics, and sheltered housing.
Main Results:
- A substantial proportion of individuals admitted to hospitals and care homes are malnourished.
- Malnutrition identified in outpatient settings is linked to increased hospital admissions and longer stays.
- Prevalence in sheltered housing exceeds that in hospitals, with most individuals at high risk.
Conclusions:
- The UK faces a significant, widespread malnutrition challenge, originating largely in the community.
- Healthcare providers and commissioners must recognize community-based malnutrition as a primary issue.
- Integrated, cross-setting strategies are essential for effective malnutrition identification and management.
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