In:
Postgraduate Medical Journal, Oxford University Press (OUP), Vol. 99, No. 1168 ( 2023-03-31), p. 56-62
Abstract:
This work aims to describe patients hospitalized in internal medicine wards in terms of nutrition and sarcopenia. It also seeks to evaluate short- and long-term mortality related to malnutrition and sarcopenia. Methods This cross-sectional study collected data on consecutive patients admitted to a single center’s internal medicine ward. Patients were recruited in May and October 2021. Malnutrition was determined by the Mini-Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) and sarcopenia by the Strength, Assistance in walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs, and Falls questionnaire (SARC-F scale) and handgrip strength test. Patients who were hospitalized for & gt;48 hours were excluded. Results The sample included 619 patients with a mean ± SD age of 76.0 ± 14.8 years of which 50.6% were women. Patients were classified into three groups based on malnutrition: group 1 (MNA-SF 12–14 points) (no risk) included 158 patients, group 2 (MNA-SF 8–12 points) (high risk) included 233 patients, and group 3 (MNA-SF 0–7 points) (malnourished) included 228 patients. Malnourished patients had more dysphagia, significantly lower protein and albumin levels, and significantly higher inflammatory marker levels and pressure ulcers. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in groups 2 and 3 (p & lt; .00001). The worst outcome (mortality and readmissions or mortality) was more common among malnourished patients (p = .0001). Inflammation, comorbidity, and sarcopenia were most closely associated with negative outcomes. Conclusion Malnutrition upon admission is associated with worse short- and long-term outcomes in internal medicine inpatients. Sarcopenia, multimorbidity, and inflammation—measured by albumin, C-reactive protein, or their ratios—are key risk factors. Early identification of malnutrition and sarcopenia through active screening is important in caring for internal medicine patients.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0032-5473
,
1469-0756
DOI:
10.1093/postmj/qgad006
Language:
English
Publisher:
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2009568-5
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