title: Nutritional intakes of patients at risk of pressure ulcers in the clinical setting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Malnutrition is a risk factor for pressure ulcers. The aim of this study was to describe the energy and protein intakes of hospitalized patients at risk for pressure ulcers and to identify predictors of eating inadequately.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational study was conducted in four wards at two hospitals in Queensland, Australia. Adult patients with restricted mobility were observed for 24 h, and information such as oral intake and observed nutritional practices was collected. A chart audit gathered other demographic characteristics, clinical, anthropometric, and dietary information. t Tests or one-way analysis of variances were used to identify differences in total energy and protein intakes. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to determine predictors of eating inadequately (i.e., intake of <75% of estimated energy and protein requirements).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean energy and protein intakes of the 184 patients were 5917 ± 2956 kJ and 54 ± 28 g, respectively. Estimated energy and protein requirements were calculated for 93 patients. Only 45% (n = 42) and 53% (n = 49) met ≥ 75% of estimated energy and protein requirements, respectively. In multivariate analysis, patients on the renal ward were 4.1 and 4.6 times more likely to be eating inadequately for energy and protein, respectively (P < 0.05). Patients who consumed any amount of oral nutrition support were 5.1 and 15.5 times more likely be eating adequately for energy and protein, respectively (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Renal patients are more likely to be eating inadequately, although any consumption of oral nutrition support seems to increase likelihood of eating adequately.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: s.roberts@griffith.edu.au.
authors.forename: Shelley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: National Health and Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence in Nursing, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Centre for Health Practice Innovation, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia; Griffith Health Institute, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith Campus, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chaboyer
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland School of Human Movement Studies, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leveritt
authors.affiliation: Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Merrilyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Banks
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia; Centre for Health Practice Innovation, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia; Griffith Health Institute, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith Campus, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Desbrow
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D004032:Diet; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006757:Hospital Units; D006760:Hospitalization; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D018529:Nutritional Support; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins
keywords: Hospital; Nutrition; Oral intake; Pressure ulcer