Sumantra Ray1, Celia Laur2, Rajna Golubic3. 1. Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Electronic address: sumantra.ray@mrc-hnr.cam.ac.uk. 2. Need for Nutrition Education Programme, Cambridge, United Kingdom. 3. St. John's College, Cambridge University, United Kingdom.
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS: One in four hospital patients in the UK are estimated to be affected by 'hospital malnutrition' (under-nutrition). There is a need for robust epidemiological data relating to the frequency, distribution and determinants of this clinical problem of public health importance. This review aims to undertake a narrative synthesis of data on the descriptive epidemiology of under-nutrition, and to address some of the methodological limitations. METHODS: A methodical review of literature was undertaken, tracking the reported prevalence and incidence of under-nutrition in hospital, in the UK, since 1994. RESULTS: The 16 articles retrieved and reviewed demonstrate that nutrition in hospital is a long standing problem in UK hospitals and care homes. The existing literature is comprised mainly of cross-sectional surveys describing the prevalence of under-nutrition in hospital which ranges from 11 to 45%. There is considerable heterogeneity in the published literature on hospital malnutrition (under-nutrition) and very few studies either measure or have estimated incidence. CONCLUSIONS: Under-nutrition in hospital continues to be under-addressed, yet a major public health problem in the UK. Defining the descriptive epidemiology of this problem is one of the first steps towards understanding its aetiology or planning and evaluating appropriate prevention or treatment strategies.
BACKGROUND & AIMS: One in four hospital patients in the UK are estimated to be affected by 'hospital malnutrition' (under-nutrition). There is a need for robust epidemiological data relating to the frequency, distribution and determinants of this clinical problem of public health importance. This review aims to undertake a narrative synthesis of data on the descriptive epidemiology of under-nutrition, and to address some of the methodological limitations. METHODS: A methodical review of literature was undertaken, tracking the reported prevalence and incidence of under-nutrition in hospital, in the UK, since 1994. RESULTS: The 16 articles retrieved and reviewed demonstrate that nutrition in hospital is a long standing problem in UK hospitals and care homes. The existing literature is comprised mainly of cross-sectional surveys describing the prevalence of under-nutrition in hospital which ranges from 11 to 45%. There is considerable heterogeneity in the published literature on hospital malnutrition (under-nutrition) and very few studies either measure or have estimated incidence. CONCLUSIONS: Under-nutrition in hospital continues to be under-addressed, yet a major public health problem in the UK. Defining the descriptive epidemiology of this problem is one of the first steps towards understanding its aetiology or planning and evaluating appropriate prevention or treatment strategies.
Authors: Emanuele Rinninella; Marco Cintoni; Antonino De Lorenzo; Giovanni Addolorato; Gabriele Vassallo; Rossana Moroni; Giacinto Abele Donato Miggiano; Antonio Gasbarrini; Maria Cristina Mele Journal: Intern Emerg Med Date: 2018-05-30 Impact factor: 3.397
Authors: Sumantra Ray; Celia Laur; Pauline Douglas; Minha Rajput-Ray; Mike van der Es; Jean Redmond; Timothy Eden; Marietta Sayegh; Laura Minns; Kate Griffin; Colin McMillan; Alfred Adiamah; Stephen Gillam; Joan Gandy Journal: BMC Med Educ Date: 2014-05-29 Impact factor: 2.463