title: Nutrition status of patients during hospitalization, Tehran, Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We assessed the nutrition status of patients on admission and monitored changes during hospitalization at Shariatri Educational Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred fifty-six randomly selected patients from 9 different wards were assessed. Body mass index (BMI) and body composition (based on bioelectrical impedance) were measured on admission and discharge. A questionnaire was also completed to evaluate general physical, psychological, and living status of the patients. Medical records were audited to identify when nutrition consultation, nutrition support, and nutrition-related laboratory factors (serum levels of total lymphocyte count [TLC] and albumin) were ordered. Frequency and paired t-test were used to analyze data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Undernutrition (BMI <18.5 kg/m(2)) was present in 5.7% of the patients on admission, and severe undernutrition (BMI <16 kg/m(2)) existed in 0.6%. When discharged, 11% of patients were undernourished, and the prevalence of severe undernutrition increased to 1.3%. Average body weight and BMI decreased significantly during hospitalization (p < .001). Body composition analysis showed a significant reduction in body protein mass (p < .001). During hospitalization, body water percentile decreased and body fat percentile increased but not significantly. Only 1 patient was supported with parenteral nutrition (PN) and 1 with enteral nutrition. Orders for nutrition consultation were present in 1.9%, TLC levels in 10.8%, and serum albumin levels in 7% of the patient medical records surveyed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Undernutrition increased in patients during hospitalization. According to the low rate of nutrition-related orders, one potential cause of worsening nutrition status may be inadequate medical staff awareness about the importance of nutrition in hospitalized patients.
authors.affiliation: Nutrition and Biochemistry Department, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Centre of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Shariati Hospital, North Kargar St., Tehran 14114, Iran. SaeedhMDPhD@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hosseini
authors.forename: Bahareh
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Amirkalali
authors.forename: Neda
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nayebi
authors.forename: Ramin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Heshmat
authors.forename: Bagher
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Larijani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires