title: [Nutritional status of patients with critical ischemia of the lower extremities].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Critical limb ischemia is a manifestation of peripheral arterial disease and in Portugal the profile of these patients is yet unknown as well as the frequency of hospital malnutrition. The present study aims to contribute to the updating of knowledge on the nutritional status of patients with this condition.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the frequency of malnutrition in hospitalized patients with critical lower limb ischemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective longitudinal study was conducted in the University Clinic of Vascular Surgery of Hospital Santa Maria between November 2010 and February 2011. Data were collected using PG-SGA ( Patient Generated-Subjective Global Assessment ) to assess nutritional status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  71 patients were evaluated of whom 21 % ( 22 ) were identified as malnourished, 40.8 % ( 29 ) at risk of malnutrition and 28.2 % ( 20 ) with normal nutritional status.  According to the data, the risk of malnutrition is higher in people aged over 75 years ( OR: 5.12, 95 % CI: 3.03-51.47 ) and diabetic ( OR: 2.73, 95 % CI: 0.88-8.46 ). Concerning to education and occupation, the retired individuals ( OR: 3.85, CI: 0.86-17.15 ) and with an education level between 1 and 4 years ( OR: 2.64, 95 %CI: 0.78-8.90 ), had an increased risk of malnutrition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The frequency of malnutrition in patients with critical lower limb ischemia was quite high. Data have revealed that factors associated with malnutrition in these patients are age, low level of education ( less than 4 years ), diabetes and hypertension. To assess nutritional status of these patients the most suitable protocol was NRS-2002.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Ciencias da Nutrição e Alimentação e Clínica Universitária de Cirurgia Vascular do Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisboa.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Claudina
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Amaral
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dinis da Gama
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000473:pathology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011174:Portugal; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors