We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Still hungry in hospital: identifying malnutrition in acute hospital admissions.
- Authors
Kelly, I.E.; Tessier, S.; Cahill, A.; Morris, S.E.; Crumley, A.; McLaughlin, D.; McKee, R.F.; Lean, M.E.J.
- Abstract
We assessed the prevalence, methods for recognition and clinical management of malnutrition in acute admissions in a large academic inner‐city hospital. Of a total of 337 patients, it was possible to measure both height and weight in 219 patients (65% of admissions). As an alternative for bed‐bound patients, mid‐upper arm circumference was not very reliable in predicting BMI (sensitivity 98%; specificity 65%), and waist circumference even less so. Of these, 13% were malnourished (body mass index BMI <18.5 kg/m2 or BMI 18.5–20 kg/m2 with reported weight loss >3 kg in the last 3 months). Six patients (31% of those with BMI <18.5 kg/m2) and one with BMI 18.5–20 kg/m2 were recognized as suffering from malnutrition and referred to the dietitian. Review of case records could not establish if the diagnosis was missed in the remainder, or if a conscious decision was taken not to manage malnutrition actively. Malnutrition in acute hospital admissions goes apparently unrecognized and unmanaged in 70% of cases. Since there are serious consequences, and effective simple treatment is readily available, increased awareness is required, with routine assessment of nutritional status in all patients.
- Publication
QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, 2000, Vol 93, Issue 2, p93
- ISSN
1460-2725
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/qjmed/93.2.93