[Malnutrition in hospitalized patients: prevalence and economic impact].
OBJECTIVE
Malnutrition constitutes a serious problem of public health. We intended to know the prevalence of undernourishment in our hospital, as well as to assess the expenses generated by its presence.


METHODS
A study of cohorts was designed to evaluate the nutritional state of randomly selected patients admitted to a third level hospital. We carried out a protocol of nutritional evaluation and quantified the associated costs including drugs, diet, and hospital stay according to diagnosis-related groups.


RESULTS
In agreement with anthropometry and the index of corporal mass, the prevalence of malnutrition was 0.3% and 13.4%, respectively. When analyzing the biochemical markers, the prevalence rose to 65.7%. Patients with malnutrition at the time of admission underwent a 59.9% deterioration of their nutritional state. An increase of costs was observed in relation to the length of hospital stay (68.04% compared with normo-nourished patients). Costs related to consumption of medicines, especially antibiotics, were also higher, as well as costs related to nutritional support.


CONCLUSIONS
Malnutrition is a phenomenon frequently observed in a hospital setting. Malnutrition associated costs are significant.
Unidad de Nutrición Clínica y Dietética, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain. antonioj.perez.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es
Antonio
A
Pérez de la Cruz
Gabriela
G
Lobo Támer
Rosa
R
Orduña Espinosa
Carmen
C
Mellado Pastor
Eduardo
E
Aguayo de Hoyos
M Dolores
MD
Ruiz López
D000886:Anthropometry; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D015995:Prevalence; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology