Malnutrition in rheumatoid arthritis

Summary A nutrition study was conducted in thirty-eight hospitalized rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Twenty-seven (71.1%) had a high likelihood of malnutrition (LOM). Laboratory and anthropometric data suggest that multiple vitamin, calory, and protein deficiencies are present. Age, female sex and a poor grip strength correlated with some indices of malnutrition. Fifteen of 18 patients with a high LOM had a bad outcome whereas 3 of 7 patients with a low LOM had a bad outcome. Malnutrition per se may be a contributing factor to increased morbidity and mortality in RA.     

Malnutrition im Alter

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Malnutrition in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Malnutrition in patients with COPD is associated with an impaired pulmonary status, reduced diaphragmatic mass, lower exercise capacity, and higher mortality rate when compared with adequately nourished individuals with COPD. Deterioration in patients with COPD may be the result of malnutrition. In addition, malnutrition could be a sign of other factors directly altered by the disease.     

Malnutrition in the hospitalized geriatric patient

The nutritional status of 59 consecutive geriatric male patients admitted to the medical service of a Veterans Administration Hospital was evaluated and compared with that of 93 younger patients admitted during the period. Protein-calorie malnutrition was diagnosed in 61 per cent of patients aged 65 or older compared with 28 per cent of patients younger than 65. The death rate and the incidence of infection were higher in the malnourished geriatric patients, however, there was no increase in the incidences of these abnormal findings compared with well-nourished patients udder the age of 65. The presence of malnutrition on admission, regardless of age, predicted a significant increase in the risk of infection or death during the hospital course.