Importance of nutritional markers as predictive index in the geriatric population: a pilot study.
Malnutrition is a common disorder in the elderly. Its incidence is underestimated, although its relevance to a prolonged hospitalization and/or a poor prognosis is recognized. The aim of this study was to identify a true and economic biochemical marker of malnutrition, and to assess its relevance to the prognosis and social costs of prolonged hospitalization. Serum albumin and lymphocyte counts were significantly inferior in the elderly group (p<0.01). Nevertheless, elderly patients usually do not undergo a prolonged hospitalization, only those having serum albumin <3.5% and lymphocyte counts <1500/mm(3) showed a significantly longer hospitalization (p<0.01).
Scuteri
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A
Universitá di Roma La Sapienza, Policlinico Umberto I, VIII Padiglione, I-00161 Roma, Italy.
Cacciafesta
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M
Bellucci
C R
CR
Marigliano
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V