Malnutrition and associated factors in elderly hospital patients: a Belgian cross-sectional, multi-centre study.
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.
Vanderwee
Katrien
K
Nursing Science, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium. katrien.vanderwee@ugent.be
Clays
Els
E
Bocquaert
Ilse
I
Gobert
Micheline
M
Folens
Bert
B
Defloor
Tom
T
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