Related Experiment Videos
[Immunologic consequences of malnutrition: assessment with multitest]
J Larrea1, J M Torrent, T M Altabas
1Servicio de Cirugía General y Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Insular, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Nutricion Hospitalaria
|March 1, 1991
Summary
Malnutrition significantly impairs immune function in surgical patients, with fewer showing positive skin tests. This immune deficiency, indicated by reduced hypersensitivity responses, requires attention in clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Clinical Medicine
- Nutritional Science
Context:
- Elective surgery patients often face malnutrition, impacting immune status.
- Assessing immunological consequences of malnutrition is crucial for patient outcomes.
- Preoperative nutritional assessment can identify at-risk individuals.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the immunological consequences of malnutrition in patients undergoing elective surgery.
- To assess delayed-type hypersensitivity skin test responses in malnourished versus well-nourished patients.
- To determine the prevalence of malnutrition using defined criteria (weight loss, albumin levels).
Summary:
- A clinical study involved 256 patients eligible for elective surgery.
- Malnutrition criteria included 10% weight loss and/or albumin < 3.5 g/dl, affecting 38.67% of patients (99 individuals).
- Malnourished patients exhibited significantly lower positive delayed-type hypersensitivity skin test responses (21.79%) compared to controls (38.88%, p<0.001), with altered tuberculin papule size.
Impact:
- Findings highlight the significant negative impact of malnutrition on cell-mediated immunity in surgical candidates.
- Demonstrates impaired immune response in malnourished patients, potentially increasing surgical risks.
- Suggests the need for nutritional interventions to improve immune status and surgical outcomes.