[Detection of malnutrition on admission to hospital]. / Detección de malnutrición al ingreso en el hospital.

In view of the high prevalence of malnutrition in hospitals as shown by some studies and in the light of its direct impact on the increase in morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients, it is necessary to ensure the early identification of this condition. This would allow appropriate nutritional treatment to be instituted as soon as possible for patients at risk who require it. The present multi-centric study included the participation of hospitals in the northern region of the country which have a Nutrition Unit, with use of the Overall Subjective Assessment and a few basic parameters. The study analyzed the nutritional status on admission of 620 patients hospitalized in the Internal Medicine and General Surgery areas during the months of December, 1999, January, February and March, 2000. We detected moderate malnutrition or suspected malnutrition in 20% of the patients studied and severe malnutrition in 18.2%, with a greater incidence in Internal Medicine. Malnutrition was mainly evidenced by weight loss of more than 5% and a reduction in subcutaneous fat and muscle mass. In addition, there are functional limitations on performing everyday activities. Changes in dietary intake were present in 40.8% of the patients. The associated gastro-intestinal symptoms included anorexia, which affected 37.7% of the group studied. Malnutrition is most frequently linked with infectious diseases, problems in circulation and with the digestive apparatus. We feel that the Overall Subjective Assessment, together with the measurement of height and weight, should be used systematically with patients on admission, as it is a simple and effective method for the identification of patients with nutritional risk.

Detección de malnutrición al ingreso en el hospital / Detection of malnutrition on admission to hospital

Dada la alta prevalencia de la malnutrición hospitalaria que muestran algunos estudios y conociendo su repercusión directa sobre el incremento de la morbi-mortalidad de los pacientes hospitalizados, se hace necesaria la identificación precoz de la misma. Esto permitiría implantar lo antes posible un adecuado tratamiento nutricional a los pacientes de riesgo que lo precisen. En el presente trabajo multicéntrico participaron hospitales de la zona norte del país, que disponen de unidad de nutrición, utilizando la valoración subjetiva global y algunos parámetros básicos. Se estudió el estado nutricional al ingreso de 620 pacientes hospitalizados en las áreas de medicina interna y cirugía general, durante los meses de diciembre de 1999, enero, febrero y marzo de 2000.Destacamos malnutrición moderada o sospecha de malnutrición en el 20 por ciento de los pacientes estudiados, y malnutrición grave en el 18,2 por ciento, siendo mayor la incidencia en medicina interna. La malnutrición se evidencia sobre todo con pérdida de peso superior al 5 por ciento y disminución de grasa subcutánea y de masa muscular. Además hay limitación funcional para realizar la actividad normal. Presentaron cambios en la ingesta dietética el 40,8 por ciento de los enfermos. Entre los síntomas gastrointestinales que se asocian, destaca la anorexia, que afecta al 37,7 por ciento del grupo estudiado. La malnutrición se relaciona más frecuentemente con las enfermedades infecciosas, aparato circulatorio y aparato digestivo. Creemos que la valoración subjetiva global, junto con la medición de la talla y el peso, deberían utilizarse de forma sistemática al ingreso del enfermo, por tratarse de un método sencillo y eficaz para la identificación de pacientes en riesgo nutricional (AU)

In view of the high prevalence of malnutrition in hospitals as shown by some studies and in the light of its direct impact on the increase in morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients, it is necessary to ensure the early identification of this condition. This would allow appropriate nutritional treatment to be instituted as soon as possible for patients at risk who require it. The present multi-centric study included the participation of hospitals in the northern region of the country which have a Nutrition Unit, with use of the Overall Subjective Assessment and a few basic parameters. The study analyzed the nutritional status on admission of 620 patients hospitalized in the Internal Medicine and General Surgery areas during the months of December, 1999, January, February and March, 2000. We detected moderate malnutrition or suspected malnutrition in 20% of the patients studied and severe malnutrition in 18.2%, with a greater incidence in Internal Medicine. Malnutrition was mainly evidenced by weight loss of more than 5% and a reduction in subcutaneous fat and muscle mass. In addition, there are functional limitations on performing everyday activities. Changes in dietary intake were present in 40.8% of the patients. The associated gastro-intestinal symptoms included anorexia, which affected 37.7% of the group studied. Malnutrition is most frequently linked with infectious diseases, problems in circulation and with the digestive apparatus. We feel that the Overall Subjective Assessment, together with the measurement of height and weight, should be used systematically with patients on admission, as it is a simple and effective method for the identification of patients with nutritional risk (AU)