Analysis of the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Malnutrition among Hospitalized Patients in Busan.
This study investigated the prevalence of and risk factors for malnutrition in hospitalized patients in Busan, Republic of Korea. 944 patients (440 men and 504 women) were hospitalized in four Busan general hospitals from March through April, 2011. Nutritional status was assessed on admission by the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002. Data were collected from the electronic medical records system for the characteristics of the subjects, clinical outcomes, biochemical laboratory data, and nutrition support states. Clinical dietitians interviewed the patients using structured questionnaires involving data on weight loss and problems related to oral intakes. Malnourished patients were significantly older (P<0.001) than well-nourished patients, but the values for BMI, serum albumin, total cholesterol, TLC, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were significantly lower (P<0.001) for malnourished than for well-nourished patients. Logistic regression indicated that the main determinant factors for nutritional status were the age, length of stay, BMI, serum albumin, and total cholesterol. In order to increase therapeutic effects of hospitalized patients, clinical dietitians need to offer proper nutritional intervention based on the results of nutrition assessment and identification of malnutrition.
Centum Erooda Hospital, Busan 612-889, Korea.
Ha-Kyung
HK
Lee
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Dong-A University, Busan 604-714, Korea.
Hee-Sun
HS
Choi
Department of Nutrition Care, Dongnam Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Busan 619-953, Korea.
Eun-Joo
EJ
Son
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Korea.
Eun-Soon
ES
Lyu
length of stay; malnutrition; risk factor