Christian Löser1. 1. Medizinische Klinik Rotes Kreuz Krankenhaus, Kassel, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Undernutrition and malnutrition are common in hospitalized patients. Their combined prevalence on admission is estimated at 25% and is rising. METHODS: Selective literature review with special consideration of current guidelines and meta-analyses. RESULTS: The nutritional state of every patient should be assessed on admission with simple, established parameters, and patients suffering from under- or malnutrition should be treated with a targeted nutritional intervention based on the established stepwise treatment algorithm. Under- and malnutrition are an independent risk and cost factor with a significant influence on mortality, morbidity, length of hospital stay, and quality of life. Their direct costs alone amount to some 9 billion Euros in Germany each year. Therapeutic trials and meta-analyses have clearly documented the therapeutic benefit and cost-effectiveness of oral nutritional supplements and tube feeds. Targeted nutritional intervention is an integral part of medical treatment and prevention. CONCLUSION: Undernutrition and malnutrition are common in hospitalized patients and are both medically and economically harmful. If they are detected early by targeted assessment and then treated appropriately according to the established stepwise treatment algorithm, better clinical outcomes and lower costs will result.
BACKGROUND: Undernutrition and malnutrition are common in hospitalized patients. Their combined prevalence on admission is estimated at 25% and is rising. METHODS: Selective literature review with special consideration of current guidelines and meta-analyses. RESULTS: The nutritional state of every patient should be assessed on admission with simple, established parameters, and patients suffering from under- or malnutrition should be treated with a targeted nutritional intervention based on the established stepwise treatment algorithm. Under- and malnutrition are an independent risk and cost factor with a significant influence on mortality, morbidity, length of hospital stay, and quality of life. Their direct costs alone amount to some 9 billion Euros in Germany each year. Therapeutic trials and meta-analyses have clearly documented the therapeutic benefit and cost-effectiveness of oral nutritional supplements and tube feeds. Targeted nutritional intervention is an integral part of medical treatment and prevention. CONCLUSION: Undernutrition and malnutrition are common in hospitalized patients and are both medically and economically harmful. If they are detected early by targeted assessment and then treated appropriately according to the established stepwise treatment algorithm, better clinical outcomes and lower costs will result.
Authors: Hinke M Kruizenga; Maurits W Van Tulder; Jaap C Seidell; Abel Thijs; Herman J Ader; Marian A E Van Bokhorst-de van der Schueren Journal: Am J Clin Nutr Date: 2005-11 Impact factor: 7.045
Authors: Chr Löser; G Aschl; X Hébuterne; E M H Mathus-Vliegen; M Muscaritoli; Y Niv; H Rollins; P Singer; R H Skelly Journal: Clin Nutr Date: 2005-10 Impact factor: 7.324
Authors: Claudio A R Gomes; Régis B Andriolo; Cathy Bennett; Suzana A S Lustosa; Delcio Matos; Daniel R Waisberg; Jaques Waisberg Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2015-05-22
Authors: Nicole Erickson; Lena J Storck; Alexandra Kolm; Kristina Norman; Theres Fey; Vanessa Schiffler; Faith D Ottery; Harriët Jager-Wittenaar Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2019-01-25 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Mehdi Ouaïssi; Philippe Grandval; Diane Mege; Anamaria Nedelcu; Gaëlle Hautefeuille; Frédéric Vanhoeve; Bernard Sastre; Igor Sielezneff; Jacques di Costanzo Journal: J Nutr Metab Date: 2013-12-17