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[Malnutrition in hospitalized patients: a prospective and randomized study]
J P Roldán Aviña1, I Pérez Camacho, J A Irles Rocamora
1Hospital Universitario Virgen de Valme, Sevilla, España.
Insights
Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is common in hospitalized patients, affecting over half upon admission and increasing during their stay. This condition is more prevalent in older adults and those undergoing surgery, leading to longer hospitalizations.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Nutrition
- Hospital Medicine
- Patient Outcomes
Background:
- Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is often underestimated in hospital settings.
- A significant portion of hospitalized patients likely suffer from malnutrition, impacting recovery and length of stay.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence, distribution, and evolution of PEM in a university hospital.
- To identify patient demographics and hospital factors associated with PEM.
Main Methods:
- A nutritional evaluation was conducted on 301 randomly selected hospitalized patients.
- Evaluations included albumin levels and body weight/ideal weight ratio upon admittance and after 7 days.
Main Results:
- The incidence of PEM upon admittance was 53% (160/301), with higher rates in older patients, medical departments, and surgical patients.
- Among patients hospitalized for over 7 days, PEM incidence rose to 66.6% (66/99).
- PEM upon admittance was significantly correlated with a longer hospital stay.
Conclusions:
- Malnutrition is prevalent and increases during hospitalization, particularly in elderly and surgical patients.
- Early identification of malnutrition is crucial as it is linked to extended hospital stays.
Unlabelled:
Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), is probably underestimated in our hospitals. We did this study with the aim of knowing the incidence, distribution and evolution of PEM in a University Hospital with 538 beds.
Material And Methods:
301 hospitalized patients, randomly selected, were subjected to a nutritional evaluation upon admittance and after 7 days, by determining albumin and body weigh/ideal weight ratio.
Results:
The age was 56.7 +/- 18.4 years (x +/- SD), the hospital stay was 7.84 +/- 7.12 days, 194 patients were hospitalized in Medical departments and 107 in Surgical or Medical-surgical departments. The incidence of PEM upon admittance was n = 160 (53%): mild in 93 (30.89%), moderate in 56 (18.60%), and severe in 11 (3.65%). The patients who continued to be hospitalized after 7 days were n = 99 (32.89%), and in these patients the incidence of PEM was n = 66 (66.6%): mild in 33 (33.3%), moderate in 30 (30.3%), and severe in 3 (3.3%). The incidence of PEM was higher at more advanced age (p < 0.05), in patients hospitalized in medical departments (p < 0.05) or in those subjected to surgery (p < 0.05). The hospital stay was longer in those patients who presented PEM upon admittance (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Malnutrition has an increased incidence in hospitalized patients, it is higher in patients of advanced age or subjected to surgery, and it increases during their stay. The existence of malnutrition upon admittance is related to a longer hospital stay.