Indices of malnutrition in patients admitted to general medical and chest medicine wards of an Iranian teaching hospital on admission and discharge

The nutritional status of hospitalised patients is generally poor on admission and in some cases declines during their stay in hospital. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status of a group of hospitalised patients on admission and at discharge from a large teaching hospital in Northwestern Iran. Male and female patients, who were anticipated to stay in hospital for more than 1 week on the general medical or chest medicine ward, gave informed consent to take part in the study. One hundred and fourteen patients (53.6 ± 17.2 years, body mass index (BMI) 21.0 ± 5.7 kg/m² (mean ± standard error of the mean) were recruited to evaluate the nutritional status. Changes in bioimpedance and anthropometric markers of nutritional status were recorded. The NRS 2002 (nutritional risk screening) method was used to assess nutritional status in patients on admission and prior to discharge. Malnutrition, as assessed using NRS 2002 method, decreased during the stay of patients in hospital (2.8 ± 1.0 versus 1.8 ± 1.0, p < 0.001). This study showed that prevalence of malnutrition was as high as 63.1 % on admission to the general medical and chest wards. The nutritional status of patients was significantly changed over the period of their stay in hospital, as assessed using the NRS 2002 method, although patients lost weight due to the acute care situation.     

Evolution of Nutritional Status after Early Nutritional Management in COVID-19 Hospitalized Patients

Background & Aims: SARS-CoV2 infection is associated with an increased risk of malnutrition. Although there are numerous screening and nutritional management protocols for malnutrition, only few studies have reported nutritional evolution after COVID-19. The objectives of this study were to describe the evolution of nutritional parameters between admission and 30 days after hospital discharge, and to determine predictive factors of poor nutritional outcome after recovery in adult COVID-19 patients. Methods: In this observational longitudinal study, we report findings after discharge in 91 out of 114 patients initially admitted for COVID-19 who received early nutritional management. Nutritional status was defined using GLIM criteria and compared between admission and day 30 after discharge. Baseline predictors of nutritional status at day 30 were assessed using logistic regression. Results: Thirty days after discharge, 28.6% of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 were malnourished, compared to 42.3% at admission. Half of malnourished patients (53%) at admission recovered a normal nutritional status after discharge. Weight trajectories were heterogeneous and differed if patients had been transferred to an intensive care unit (ICU) during hospitalization (p = 0.025). High oxygen requirement during hospitalization (invasive ventilation p = 0.016 (OR 8.3 [1.6–61.2]) and/or oxygen therapy over 5 L/min p = 0.021 (OR 3.2 [1.2–8.9]) were strong predictors of malnutrition one month after discharge. Conclusions: With early nutritional management, most patients hospitalized for COVID-19 improved nutritional parameters after discharge. These findings emphasize the importance of nutritional care in COVID-19 patients hospitalized in medicine departments, especially in those transferred from ICU.     

老年肝胆外科住院患者的动态营养风险筛查

目的调查老年肝胆外科住院患者营养风险、营养不足发生率以及营养支持应用状况。方法采用定点连续抽样,对156例老年肝胆外科住院患者（≥65岁）人院后第2天早晨和住院2周或出院时进行营养风险筛查2002（NRS 2002）的动态描述性研究。结果NRS 2002的适用率为96．8％（151／156）。患者总的营养风险发生率为36．9％（57／156）,营养不足发生率为26．2％（41／156）。住院时间大于2周的患者营养风险和营养不足发生率分别为49．6％和36．7％,住院时间小于2周的患者营养风险和营养不足发生率分别为37．3％和21．4％,两者相比差异具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。存在营养风险和无营养风险患者营养支持率分别为64．1％和17．4％。其中,接受大手术患者中有营养风险和无营养风险患者的营养支持率分别为87．9％和36．8％,接受中、小手术患者中有营养风险和无营养风险患者的营养支持率分别为41．3％和9．6％。结论NRS 2002适用于老年肝胆外科住院患者的营养风险筛查。住院时间大于2周老年肝胆外科住院患者营养风险和营养不足发生率反而有所增加。临床营养支持在肝胆外科需要更加重视住院患者的营养问题,临床上存在肠外、肠内营养的不合理应用。     

Nutritional Risk and Nutritional Status at Admission and Discharge among Chinese Hospitalized Patients: A Prospective,Nationwide, Multicenter Study

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess nutritional risk and status of Chinese hospitalized patients at admission and discharge and relations with clinical outcomes.

Methods: A prospective, nationwide, multicenter study was conducted from June to September 2014 in 34 large hospitals in 18 cities in China. Patients ≥ 18 years with a hospital stay of 7–30 days were recruited. Anthropometric and laboratory indicators, nutritional risk screening, and assessment by Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) and subjective global assessment (SGA) were performed within 24 hours of admission and discharge. Clinical data during hospitalization were collected.

Results: A total of 6,638 patients met the criteria with a male: female ratio of 1.39:1 and an average age of 59.72 ± 15.40 years. At admission, the proportion of patients with nutritional risk, body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m², and moderate to severe malnutrition was 40.12%, 8.92%, and 26.45%, respectively, whereas at discharge, these percentages were 42.28%, 8.91%, and 30.57%, respectively. The values of all of these indicators were higher in patients 65 years of age and older. Patients with nutritional risk at admission had a longer average hospital stay (14.02 ± 6.42 vs 13.09 ± 5.703 days), higher incidence of total complications (6.90% vs 1.52%), and greater total medical expenses (3.39 ± 7.50 vs 3.00 ± 3.38 million RMB; all p < 0.01) than patients without nutritional risk. Similar results were obtained for the patients with nutritional risk at discharge.

Conclusion: The prevalence of nutritional risk and malnutrition, including moderate to severe malnutrition, at discharge is higher than that observed at admission; the clinical outcome of patients with nutritional risk is poor.     

Adult malnutrition screening, prevalence in four Iranian hospitals: cross-sectional study

Malnutrition remains common but unrecognized and untreated problem worldwide particularly in Iranian hospitals. Malnutrition has a high clinical and economic impact reflected by an increased morbidity and mortality and prolonged hospital stay. The main aim of this study was to assess the nutritional state of patients on admission to four University-affiliated hospitals including two general, one oncology and one psychiatric) in Mashhad using of Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST). 404 adults aged more than 18 who were admitted to the Mashhad teaching hospitals were screened for malnutrition using MUST. The mean age was 44 ± 18 years (range 18–90 years) (188 females, 216 males). The nutritional status assessment was performed within 48 h of admission and the prevalence of malnutrition was reported 48.5%. (high risk 38.6%, medium risk 9.9%). In total, 45.2% (n = 70) of female patients had a MUST score of 2 (high risk) when compared with 51.5% (n = 35) of males. Mental disorder patients (82%) and medical ward patients (60.6%) had the highest prevalence of malnutrition. Results showed that malnutrition is a common problem affecting more than 48% of patients in this hospital-wide study. Results warrant paying more attention to malnourished patients.     

Nutritional care and balance of energy in patients hospitalized in Iranian intensive care units

Objective

Malnutrition is a concerning problem among hospitalized patients in intensive care units (ICU_S): it can lead to increase infection, hospital costs and mortality. Inadequate energy intake is one of the most important risk factors in the etiology of malnutrition during the hospital stay. The aim of this study was to assess nutritional care and energy balance in patients hospitalized in Iranian intensive care units.

Impact of Premorbid Malnutrition and Dysphagia on Ischemic Stroke Outcome in Elderly Patients: A Community-Based Study

Objective: The present study was performed to assess nutritional status and its relationship with clinical outcomes in elderly stroke patients.

Method: In this cross-sectional study, 253 stroke patients were studied. Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was used to assign patients to three groups: malnourished, at risk of malnutrition, and well nourished. Northwestern Dysphagia Patient Check Sheet was administered to all patients. Anthropometric measures, including body mass index (BMI), calf circumferences (CC), mid-arm circumferences (MAC), and triceps skinfold thickness were brought out. In addition, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and biochemical tests were performed.

Results: Of 253 patients, 34.4% were malnourished, 42.3% were at risk of malnutrition, and 23.3% were well nourished. The malnourished patients had significantly lower BMI, CC, and MAC (p?<?0.05). The levels of albumin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were significantly different among the groups (p?<?0.001). The admission and 3-month follow-up mRS scores, as well as dysphagia, were significantly higher in the malnourished patients and those at risk of malnutrition (p?<?0.001). In addition, mRS scores at admission and 3-month follow-up scores, as well as the length of hospital stay (LOS), were significantly correlated with MNA score, dysphagia, BMI, CC, MAC, albumin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p?<?0.05). Significant unadjusted associations were observed among MNA scores, BMI, CC, MAC, dysphagia scores, NIHSS scores, length of hospital stay (LOS), albumin, hs-C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) with a poor outcome. With a multivariate logistic regression analysis, NIHSS scores and MNA scores remained significantly associated with the poor outcome in patients with ischemic stroke.

Conclusions: The findings of the present study underline the importance of nutritional status in elderly stroke patients.     

普通外科住院病人营养风险筛查和营养支持应用状况

目的:调查普通外科住院病人营养风险、营养不良和营养支持应用情况.方法:采用营养风险筛查方法(NRS2002)对普通外科625例住院病人进行营养风险筛查,统计营养不良、营养风险发生率和营养支持率,并调查病人2周内(或至出院时)的营养支持状况.结果:NRS2002完全适用率为92.5%,营养不良发生率为15.5%,营养风险...     

Hospital-acquired malnutrition in children with mild clinical conditions

ObjectiveLittle is known about the incidence and risk factors of hospital-acquired malnutrition in children with mild illness (grade 1 clinical conditions) and its timing of occurrence. The aim of this study was to recognize any early stage of denutrition and possible risk factors leading to nutritional deterioration in children hospitalized due to mild clinical conditions.MethodsFour hundred ninety-six children (age 1–192 mo) with mild clinical conditions were studied. Weight and height were measured. Weight was assessed daily and body mass index (BMI) Z-score was calculated for all patients.ResultsChildren with a BMI Z-score <?2 SD on admission showed a mean BMI decrease at the end of their hospital stay, which was significantly higher than in children who showed a better nutritional condition at admission. Risk factors for hospital-acquired malnutrition were an age <24 mo, a duration of hospital stay >5 d, fever, and night-time abdominal pain.ConclusionHospital stay has an impact on the nutritional status of children affected by mild clinical conditions. Children already malnourished on admission were found to be at risk for further nutritional deterioration during their hospital stay; and in all groups of children identified by their BMI Z-score at admission, nutritional status declined progressively.     

Prevalence and risk factors of malnutrition among cancer patients according to tumor location and stage in the National Cancer Center in Korea

ObjectiveAlthough malnutrition is common in cancer patients in Korea, little attention is paid to its risks and consequences. This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of malnutrition in hospitalized cancer patients according to tumor location and stage.MethodsOf 14 972 cancer patients admitted to the National Cancer Center, screening examinations were carried out for 12 112 patients and nutritional status was assessed in 8895 patients. Information on age, sex, length of hospital stay, and tumor location and stage were collected from the electronic medical records system. The nutritional status of each subject was assessed using body mass index, serum albumin, total lymphocyte count, and diet and classified into three groups: high risk, moderate risk, and low risk of malnutrition.ResultsAbout 61% of hospitalized patients were malnourished and the prevalence of malnutrition was higher in male patients with longer hospital stays (60.2%, P = 0.0101) and readmitted patients (66.6%, P < 0.0001). Patients with liver and lung cancer (86.6% and 60.5%, respectively) and patients with advanced cancer stage (60.5%, III or IV) had a higher prevalence of malnutrition than other patients (P < 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis showed that patients with advanced cancer stage and longer hospital stay and readmitted patients were at a higher risk for malnutrition.ConclusionThe prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized cancer patients was high and varied across tumor location and stage. Early identification of malnutrition status is required for proper nutritional intervention during hospitalization.     

胃癌病人术前有营养风险是临床预后不良的危险因素

目的:探讨胃癌病人术前存在营养风险对术后临床结局的影响以及预后不良的危险因素分析。方法:前瞻性观察140例胃癌病人,术前进行NRS 2002营养风险筛查,分析术前存在营养风险对术后并发症、住院时间、入住ICU时间、住院费用、60 d再入院及病死率的影响。运用单因素和多因素分析研究围手术期并发症的危险因素。结果:NRS 2002≥3分与NRS 20023分的病人总并发症发生率、肺部感染发生率、总住院天数和术后住院天数均有显著性差异(P0.05);而吻合口瘘、胸腔积液发生率、60 d再入院率、60 d病死率和住院费用等方面,虽然有营养风险组略高于无营养风险组,但无统计学差异(P0.05)。单因素和多因素分析显示,术前高总胆固醇水平和术前存在营养风险是影响病人预后的危险因素,也是发生术后并发症的独立危险因素。结论:术前存在营养风险病人的临床结局明显差于无营养风险病人,术前高总胆固醇水平和存在营养风险是围手术期并发症的独立危险因素。     

Malnutrition and Increased Risk of Adverse Outcomes in Elderly Patients Undergoing Elective Colorectal Cancer Surgery: A Case-Control Study Nested in a Cohort

Background: Malnutrition increases worse outcomes during hospital admission for elective colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery in older adults. Methods: This work was designed an observational, monocentric, case-control study nested in a cohort of patients undergoing elective surgery for CRC disease at the Hospital Universitario de la Ribera (HULR) (Alzira, Valencia, Spain) between 2011 and 2019. The study considered patients with a CONUT score in the range of moderate to severe malnutrition (>4 points), with control patients with normal nutritional situations or mild malnutrition. Results: Moderate-to-severe malnutrition cases presented a greater length of stay (LOS), a higher incidence of adverse events (both medical and surgical complications), a higher incidence of surgical-wound infection, a greater need for blood transfusion, and a greater amount of transfused packed red blood cells. During hospitalization, the percentage of patients without nutritional risk decreased from 46 to 9%, and an increase in mild, moderate, and severe risk was observed. Patients with severe nutritional risk at hospital admission had significantly increased mortality at 365 days after discharge (HR: 2.96 (95% CI 1.14–7.70, p = 0.002)). After adjusting for sex, age, and Charlson index score, patients with severe nutritional risk at admission maintained a higher mortality risk (HR: 3.08 (95% CI 1.10–8.63, p = 0.032)). Conclusion: Malnutrition prevalence is high in older adults undergoing CRC elective surgery. Furthermore, this prevalence increases during hospital admission. Malnutrition is linked to worse outcomes, such as LOS, surgical and clinical complications, and mortality. For this reason, nutritional interventions are very important in the perioperative period     

Impact of Nutritional Intervention on Length of Hospital Stay and Mortality among Hospitalized Patients with Malnutrition: A Clinical Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a nutritional intervention on hospital stay and mortality among hospitalized patients with malnutrition.

Methods: Hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of malnutrition were enrolled and randomly allocated to either an intervention or control group. Participants in the intervention group received an individualized nutrition plan according to energy and protein (1.0–1.5 g/kg) intake requirements as well as dietary advice based on face-to-face interviews with patients and their caregivers or family members. Individuals in the control group received standard nutritional management according to the Hospital Nutrition Department. Nutritional status and disease severity were assessed using nutritional risk screening. Length of hospital stay was defined by the number of days of hospitalization from hospital admission to medical discharge. Reference to another service or death were criteria for study withdrawal. To evaluate mortality, individuals were followed up for 6 months after hospital discharge. Hospital stay and mortality were the intention-to-treat analysis.

Results: A total of 55 patients with an average age of 57.1 ± 20.7 years were included into intervention (n = 28) and control (n = 27) groups, respectively. At basal condition, nutritional status, measured by nutritional risk screening score, was similar between the study groups (4.1 ± 0.8 vs 4.2 ± 1.2, p = 0.6). The average hospital stay was lower in the intervention group compared to the control group (6.4 ± 3.0 vs 8.4 ± 4.0 days, p = 0.03). Finally, the mortality rate at 6 months of follow-up was similar in both groups (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17–4.21).

Conclusions: Results of this study suggest that, in hospitalized patients with malnutrition, nutritional intervention and dietary advice decrease hospital stay but not mortality.     

The Association between Nutritional Status and In-Hospital Mortality of COVID-19 in Critically-Ill Patients in the ICU

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The impact of poor nutritional status on increased mortality and prolonged ICU (intensive care unit) stay in critically ill patients is well-documented. This study aims to assess how nutritional status and BMI (body mass index) affected in-hospital mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients Methods: We conducted a retrospective study and analysed medical records of 286 COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit of the University Clinical Hospital in Wroclaw (Poland). Results: A total of 286 patients were analysed. In the sample group, 8% of patients who died had a BMI within the normal range, 46% were overweight, and 46% were obese. There was a statistically significantly higher death rate in men (73%) and those with BMIs between 25.0–29.9 (p = 0.011). Nonsurvivors had a statistically significantly higher HF (Heart Failure) rate (p = 0.037) and HT (hypertension) rate (p < 0.001). Furthermore, nonsurvivors were statistically significantly older (p < 0.001). The risk of death was higher in overweight patients (HR = 2.13; p = 0.038). Mortality was influenced by higher scores in parameters such as age (HR = 1.03; p = 0.001), NRS2002 (nutritional risk score, HR = 1.18; p = 0.019), PCT (procalcitonin, HR = 1.10; p < 0.001) and potassium level (HR = 1.40; p = 0.023). Conclusions: Being overweight in critically ill COVID-19 patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation increases their risk of death significantly. Additional factors indicating a higher risk of death include the patient’s age, high PCT, potassium levels, and NRS ≥ 3 measured at the time of admission to the ICU.     

Influencia de la duración de la estancia hospitalaria sobre la mortalidad tras el alta en pacientes mayores con patología médica aguda

ObjectiveTo analyse whether hospital length of stay is associated with mortality at six months after discharge in the elderly.MethodsAn observational longitudinal study of patients surviving at hospital discharge. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to study factors related to extended stay (> 12 days). The relationship between mortality at 6 months and length-of-stay quartiles was studied using a Cox regression analysis.Results1180 patients were studied with a mean age of 86.6 years (standard deviation: 6.9). The median length of stay was 8 days (interquartile range: 5-12). Six-month mortality was 26.1%. After adjusting for age, gender, main diagnosis, comorbidity, albumin at admission, functional deterioration at admission and functional and mental status at discharge, hospital stay above the median was associated with mortality at 6 months: 9-12 days, HR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.01-3.14; and > 12 days, HR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.19-3.53.ConclusionsProlonged hospital stay is an independent risk factor for mortality at 6 months after discharge.     

Dietetic-Led Nutrition Interventions in Patients with COVID-19 during Intensive Care and Ward-Based Rehabilitation: A Single-Center Observational Study

Background: In this study, a report of dietitian-led nutrition interventions for patients with COVID-19 during ICU and ward-based rehabilitation is provided. As knowledge of COVID-19 and its medical treatments evolved through the course of the pandemic, dietetic-led interventions were compared between surge 1 (S1) and surge 2 (S2). Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted of patients admitted to the ICU service in a large academic hospital (London, UK). Clinical and nutrition data were collected during the first surge (March–June 2020; n = 200) and the second surge (November 2020–March 2021; n = 253) of COVID-19. Results: A total of 453 patients were recruited. All required individualized dietetic-led interventions during ICU admission as the ICU nutrition protocol did not meet nutritional needs. Feed adjustments for deranged renal function (p = 0.001) and propofol calories (p = 0.001) were more common in S1, whereas adjustment for gastrointestinal dysfunction was more common in S2 (p = 0.001). One-third of all patients were malnourished on ICU admission, and all lost weight in ICU, with a mean (SD) total percentage loss of 8.8% (6.9%). Further weight loss was prevented over the remaining hospital stay with continued dietetic-led interventions. Conclusions: COVID-19 patients have complex nutritional needs due to malnutrition on admission and ongoing weight loss. Disease complexity and evolving nature of medical management required multifaceted dietetic-led nutritional strategies, which differed between surges.     

营养风险筛查和主观全面评定用于肺癌非手术患者营养筛查的比较

目的调查肺癌非手术患者营养风险、营养不良（不足）、超重／肥胖发生率，比较营养风险筛查2002（NRS2002）和主观全面评定（SGA）用于肺癌非手术患者营养筛查的适用性和结果。方法连续定点抽样，对符合入选标准、获知情同意的153例肺癌非手术患者在人院次日晨分别采用NRS2002和SGA进行营养筛查，NRS2002筛查营养不足以体重指数（BMI）的中国标准判定。结果153例患者均完成NRS2002和SGA。用BMI中国标准判定营养不足、超重和肥胖发生率分别为10．5％、37．9％和9．1％。NRS2002筛查显示营养风险发生率为34．6％，SGA筛查显示营养不足发生率为33．3％；两种方法在营养不足筛查结果间差异无显著性（P=0．845）。结论NRS2002和SGA均适用于肺癌非手术患者营养不足筛查，NRS2002还可同时筛查患者的营养风险。     

Dietary intake,nutritional status and rehabilitation outcomes of stroke patients in hospital

Background: Nutrition affects rehabilitation through its influence on physical and mental functioning, although little attention has been paid to effects on rehabilitation outcomes. The present study aimed to describe nutritional status and food consumption in stroke patients within 2 weeks of hospital admission and before discharge, as well as to investigate the effects of nutritional and dietary factors on rehabilitation outcomes. Methods: One hundred patients from a consecutive cohort admitted to a metropolitan hospital with acute stroke were recruited and assessed by a single researcher, with 38 reassessed at discharge. Nutritional status was assessed using Mini‐Nutritional Assessment and anthropometric indices and dietary intake was assessed by 1‐day weighed dietary records. Rehabilitation outcomes were changes in Barthel index scores and the rehabilitation efficiency index. Results: Few (n = 9; 10%) consumed ≥100% of the estimated average requirement (EAR) for energy within 2 weeks of admission and 13 (33%) had energy intakes <50% of EAR before discharge. A small but increasing proportion (7% at admission, 13% at discharge) were identified as being malnourished across the inpatient stay. Younger age, lower Barthel index and a higher energy intake in the early stages of admission predicted the extent and rate of restoration of functional abilities by discharge (F = 7.503, P = 0.001; F = 14.558, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Given a general finding of nutritional deterioration identified for these patients, as well as the identification of energy intake as a modifiable influence on the extent and rate of recovery, there is clearly scope for the multidisciplinary development of nutritional support for stroke patients to improve rehabilitation outcomes.     

The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition–Defined Malnutrition Predicts Prognosis in Persons With Stroke-Related Dysphagia

ObjectiveThis study aimed to clarify the association between malnutrition and improvement of swallowing ability during rehabilitation of stroke patients.DesignThis was a retrospective cohort study.Setting and participantsOne hundred eighty-eight older adults with oropharyngeal dysphagia after stroke who were admitted to a rehabilitation hospital.MethodsThe International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative Functional Diet Scale (IDDSI-FDS) was used to assess swallowing ability. The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) definition was used to diagnose malnutrition. The primary outcome was IDDSI-FDS score at discharge.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 78.9 ± 7.7 years, and 36.7% were women. A total of 122 (64.8%) patients were diagnosed with malnutrition. Compared with those without malnutrition, malnourished patients had more severe dysphagia on admission. After adjusting for confounders, malnutrition was an independent contributor to the IDDSI-FDS scores at discharge (standardized coefficient: −0.165, P = .011).Conclusion and implicationsIn patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia after stroke, malnutrition at admission inversely affected their swallowing ability at discharge. Dysphagia rehabilitation, including early nutritional intervention, may be effective in the recovery of swallowing ability.     

Long term nutritional status and quality of life following major upper gastrointestinal surgery - a cross-sectional study

Background & aims

Major upper gastrointestinal surgery results in permanent alterations to the gastrointestinal tract, and previously been shown to impair nutritional status. The aim of this study was to assess long term nutritional status and quality of life in people having had major upper gastrointestinal surgery, and the relationship between the two measures.

Methods

People having had major upper gastrointestinal surgery greater than 6 months ago were recruited. Nutrition assessment included weight, anthropometry, Subjective Global Assessment, dietary intake and assessment of gastrointestinal symptoms; quality of life was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Associations between nutritional status, type of surgery and quality of life were analysed.

Results

Thirty people were recruited with fourteen people showing a degree of malnutrition according to subjective global assessment. Total gastrectomy and oesophagectomy surgery resulted in significantly higher percent weight loss than those having undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy (p = 0.01). Subjective global assessment correlated with quality of life (p = 0.003). Subjective global assessment and gastrointestinal symptoms were both significant variables in explaining quality of life (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Nutritional status in this group was significantly compromised, and impacted on quality of life. Individualised nutrition intervention to address malnutrition and gastrointestinal symptoms should be integrated into post surgery management.