Prevalence of malnutrition in general surgical patients

The possibility of protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) was studied on one hundred consecutive patients admitted to the department of surgery at the Saint Georges Hospital, Beirut, during the months of April and June 1991, regardless of age, sex and socio-economic status. Data was completed on 94 of those cases. Multiple parameters were studied, including measurements of triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness, mid-arm muscle circumference, percent weight loss, creatinine height index, serum albumin and transferrin levels and total lymphocyte count. We found a prevalence of 81%, 65%, 53% and 31% of PCM, if one, two, three or at least four abnormal parameters are used respectively, to assess malnutrition. Defining malnutrition as the presence of at least three abnormal parameters, we conclude that 53% of the patients, on admission to the department of surgery, had evidence of PCM. Further studies are required to assess the impact of this prevalence on length of stay, morbidity and mortality.