The incidence and impact of pre-existing protein energy malnutrition on outcome in the elderly burn patient population.

Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) and involuntary weight loss is a common problem in the elderly population. Our purpose was to determine the incidence and the effect on outcome of PEM in the elderly burn patient population. A chart review and review of the burn data registry was undertaken to determine the incidence and effect of PEM in patients older than 65 years of age with major burns from 1% to 30% TBSA. PEM was diagnosed using standard physiological and biochemical markers. Data were compared with those from a well-nourished elderly burn group to assess the impact. Of the 123 patients studied, we found that PEM was present in 61%. There was a significant increase in infection rate, decrease in the rate of healing of a standard skin graft donor site, and an increase in length of stay in the PEM group compared with the nourished elderly burn group. Mortality with PEM was 17% compared with 9% without PEM, a significant increase. We conclude that PEM is a common comorbid factor in the elderly burn population that increases morbidity and mortality.