The evolution of nutritional status of geriatric patients without cachexia is associated with food intake in sub-acute care.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if changes in patients' nutritional status during hospitalization are related to daily energy and protein intakes when cachectic/inflammatory conditions are controlled for.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
A total of 32 non-cachectic patients (21 women; 65-92 y).


METHODS
Nutritional status was evaluated at admission and discharge using the Protein-Energy Malnutrition Index which includes BMI, %IBW, TS, MAC, albumin, hemoglobin and lymphocyte count. Food intake was assessed 3 meals/day every other day for an average of 46.2 +/- 14.6 meals/participant.


RESULTS
In all, 47% of the study sample was malnourished at admission. Nutritional status improved in 73% of patients who had been identified as malnourished and in 30 % of non-malnourished patients at admission. Total energy intake correlated with improvements in BMI, %IBW and total lymphocyte count (all p < 0.04). Improvement in PEMI score for the whole group was associated with functional status (p < 0.05). Controlling for this variable, energy (kj/kg body weight) and protein (g/kg body weight) intakes correlated positively with improvements in BMI, %IBW and MAC (Energy: partial r = 0.644, 0.624, 0.466 respectively; Protein: partial r = 0.582, 0.554, 0.433 respectively; all p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Results from this study offer strong evidence that when cachectic/inflammatory conditions are controlled for, standard nutrition care is compatible with the maintenance or improvement of nutritional status during the hospital stay.
St-Arnaud McKenzie
D
D
Centre de recherche, Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.
Kergoat
M-J
MJ
Dube
L
L
Ferland
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D049628:Body Size; D002100:Cachexia; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007249:Inflammation; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D019467:Subacute Care
D004044:Dietary Proteins