title: Malnutrition and associated factors in elderly hospital patients: a Belgian cross-sectional, multi-centre study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In Belgium, general data on the prevalence of malnutrition are lacking. Prevalence rates are necessary to gain insight into the magnitude of malnutrition and to establish a nutrition policy that takes the limited health care resources into account. This study aimed to obtain insight into the prevalence of malnutrition in Belgian elderly hospital wards and to identify factors associated with the malnutrition prevalence.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional, multi-centre study in elderly wards of Belgian hospitals. The nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment. A standardised questionnaire was used to record demographic data and data on potential factors associated with malnutrition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 2329 elderly patients, 33% suffered from malnutrition. Almost 43% of the patients were at risk of malnutrition and 24% were well-nourished. Having swallowing difficulties, taste difficulties, and being transferred from a nursing home were strongly associated with being malnourished.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The malnutrition prevalence in Belgian elderly hospitals wards is similar to international figures. Elderly who have swallowing difficulties, taste difficulties, or coming from a nursing home may need adequate nutritional care. Given the negative impact of malnutrition on mortality and morbidity, an emphasis should be placed on an effective nutritional policy.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Science, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium. katrien.vanderwee@ugent.be
authors.forename: Katrien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vanderwee
authors.forename: Els
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Clays
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bocquaert
authors.forename: Micheline
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gobert
authors.forename: Bert
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Folens
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Defloor
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D010360:Patient Transfer; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000150:complications