Evaluation of Malnutrition Status and Efficacy of Targeted Nutritional Support in Hospitalized Patients Consulted to Nutrition Support Team

Abstract

Aim: Unintentional underfeeding is common in patients receiving nutritional support (NS), and is associated with increased risk of malnutrition and complications. The aim of the study was to determine the malnutrition rate and to evaluate the efficacy of NS in hospitalized patients consulted to nutrition support team.
Subjects and Method: This study was conducted in 100 adult (≥18 years) hospitalized patients receiving NS. Malnutrition was assessed by Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002). The period to reach the targeted daily energy and protein needs of the patients receiving NS was evaluated with daily visits. Patients were followed until discharge or until death in hospital. At the first evaluation and at the end of follow-up period, patient’s biochemical parameters were evaluated. The mean length of hospital stay (LOS) and the mortality rate was recorded.
Results: The frequency of patients under nutritional risk according to the NRS-2002 score was 75% in this study. The mean time to reach the targeted amount of protein and energy requirements were 21.15±18.15 and 19.56±17.14 days, respectively. The mortality rate was 59% in patients who were followed-up. Despite NS, serum protein levels (total protein, albumin) were decreased at the end of the study period (p<0.005). Serum albumin levels and the LOS were positively correlated (r=0.33, p<0.05). Low serum protein levels affected the mortality negatively (p<0.01). The nutritional risk as determined by the NRS-2002 score did not affect the mortality and length of hospital stay (p>0.05).
Conclusions: In this study, it was thought that the clinical status of the patients consulted to the nutrition support team changed the effectiveness of NS and therefore the time to reach the targeted NS treatment was too late. Furthermore, the reasons must be evaluated and it is necessary to use strategies in all hospitalized patients who receiving nutritional support.