Jesus Fernando B Inciong1, Adarsh Chaudhary2, Han-Shui Hsu3, Rajeev Joshi4, Jeong-Meen Seo5, Lam Viet Trung6, Winai Ungpinitpong7, Nurhayat Usman8. 1. St. Luke's Medical Center, Cathedral Heights Building Complex North Tower Suite 706, 279 E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Quezon City 1112, Philippines. Electronic address: jeffinciong@yahoo.com. 2. Medanta the Medicity, CH Baktawar Singh Rd, Sector 38, Gurugram, Haryana 122001, India. 3. Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Section 2, Shipai Road, Beitou District, Taipei 112, Taiwan. 4. B.Y.L. Nair Charitable Hospital and Topiwala National Medical College, Dr. A. L. Nair Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400008, India. 5. Samsung Medical Center, 81 Irwonro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea. 6. Cho Ray Hospital, 201B Nguyen Chi Thanh, Ward 12, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. 7. Surin Hospital, Department of Surgery, 68 Lukmueang Road Tambon Naimueang, Amphoe Mueang, Surin 32000, Thailand. 8. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Jl. Pasteur No.38, Pasteur, Kec. Sukajadi, Kota Bandung, Jawa Barat 40161, Indonesia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hospital malnutrition is a prevalent yet frequently under-recognised condition that is associated with adverse clinical and economic consequences. Systematic reviews from various regions of the world have provided regional estimates of the prevalence of malnutrition and the magnitude of the associated health and economic burden; however, a systematic assessment of the prevalence and consequences of hospital malnutrition in northeast and southeast Asia has not been conducted. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search for articles on hospital malnutrition in 11 Asian countries published in English between January 1, 1997 and January 15, 2018. Studies reporting data on the prevalence, clinical consequences, or economic impact of hospital malnutrition in an adult inpatient population with a sample size ≥30 were eligible for inclusion. RESULTS: The literature search identified 3207 citations; of these, 92 studies (N = 62,280) met the criteria for inclusion. There was substantial variability in study populations and assessment methods; however, a majority of studies reported a malnutrition prevalence of >40%. Malnutrition was associated with an increase in clinical complications, mortality, length of hospitalisation, hospital readmissions, and healthcare costs. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital malnutrition is a highly prevalent condition among hospitalised patients in northeast and southeast Asia. Additionally, poor nutritional status is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and increased healthcare costs. Further research aimed at improving the identification and proactive management of hospitalised patients at risk for malnutrition is necessary to improve patient outcomes and alleviate the burden on local healthcare budgets.
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hospital malnutrition is a prevalent yet frequently under-recognised condition that is associated with adverse clinical and economic consequences. Systematic reviews from various regions of the world have provided regional estimates of the prevalence of malnutrition and the magnitude of the associated health and economic burden; however, a systematic assessment of the prevalence and consequences of hospital malnutrition in northeast and southeast Asia has not been conducted. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search for articles on hospital malnutrition in 11 Asian countries published in English between January 1, 1997 and January 15, 2018. Studies reporting data on the prevalence, clinical consequences, or economic impact of hospital malnutrition in an adult inpatient population with a sample size ≥30 were eligible for inclusion. RESULTS: The literature search identified 3207 citations; of these, 92 studies (N = 62,280) met the criteria for inclusion. There was substantial variability in study populations and assessment methods; however, a majority of studies reported a malnutrition prevalence of >40%. Malnutrition was associated with an increase in clinical complications, mortality, length of hospitalisation, hospital readmissions, and healthcare costs. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital malnutrition is a highly prevalent condition among hospitalised patients in northeast and southeast Asia. Additionally, poor nutritional status is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and increased healthcare costs. Further research aimed at improving the identification and proactive management of hospitalised patients at risk for malnutrition is necessary to improve patient outcomes and alleviate the burden on local healthcare budgets.