title: Malnutrition in stroke patients on the rehabilitation service and at follow-up: prevalence and predictors.
abstract: This prospective study presents the prevalence and risk factors of malnutrition in 49 consecutive stroke patients on the rehabilitation (Rehab) service and at 2- to 4-month follow-up. Malnutrition was diagnosed using biochemical and anthropometric data. Stroke patients, on admission to Rehab, have a very high prevalence of malnutrition. Malnutrition, 49% on admission, declined to 34%, 22%, and 19% at 1 month, 2 months, and follow-up, respectively. Dysphagia, 47% on admission, was associated with malnutrition (p = .032) and significantly declined over time. Using logistic regression, predictors of malnutrition on admission involved acute service tube feedings (p = .002) and histories of diabetes (p = .027) and prior stroke (p = .013). Tube feedings, associated with malnutrition on admission (p = .043), were more prevalent in brain stem lesion patients. Patients tube fed > or = 1 month during rehabilitation or at home were not malnourished. Malnutrition was associated with advanced (> 70 years) age at 1 month (p = .002) and weight loss (p = .011) and lack of community care (p = .006) at follow-up. Early and ongoing detection and treatment of malnutrition are recommended during rehabilitation of stroke patients both on the service and at follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Finestone
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Greene-Finestone
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Teasell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors