Malnutrition And Nutritional Assessment Flashcards
Define malnutrition
A state resulting from lack of uptake/intake of nutrition leading to altered body composition and body cell mass leading to diminished physical and mental function and impaired clinical outcome from disease
How does prevalence of malnutrition change by age?
Curvilinear relationship where highest rates of malnutrition are in youngest and oldest age groups
More common in women than men
How does prevalence of malnutrition differ in wards?
Oncology and care of elderly wards have highest rates
How many people on admission to hospital have malnutrition?
1 in 3 → shows a lot of malnutrition occurs in community
What % of people have lost weight at discharge and what is the weight loss in?
70% and mainly muscle mass
Most weight loss seen in those who were initially malnourished at admission
What are causes of malnutrition in hospital? (13)
Reduced intake
Contraindicated
Disease related anorexia
Taste changes
Nil by mouth
Food options
Depression
Inactivity
Oral health
Fatigue
Maldigestion or malabsorption:
Function
Length
Loses
Drug nutrient interactions
Altered metabolism
Early flow phase where lean muscle mass is used with the nutritional goal being survival. Late flow phase where goal changes to cover metabolic needs ( catabolism)and then muscle recovery (anabolism)
- The belief that being in hospital is associated with loss of appetite and that it’ll come back once they’ve left
- The belief by both patients and staff that medical treatment is the main priority and food is of secondary importance
Generally, which groups are affected most by malnutrition? (5)
- Old people over 65, particularly if admitted to hospital
- People with long term conditions like diabetes, kidney disease and chronic lung disease
- People with chronic progressive conditions like cancer or dementia
- Those who abuse drugs or alcohol
- Patients with GI dysfunction
What is the impact of malnutrition on postoperative mortality?
was found in 1936 that post op mortality was 10x greater in those who had lost ≥20% body weight pre op compared with those who lost less
Yes- malnutrition in 2022 directly caused 77 hospital deaths and contributed to 436 hospital deaths
What does malnutrition increase? (6)
- Mortality
- Septic and post surgical complications
- Length of hospital stay
- Pressure sores
- Readmissions
- Dependency
What does malnutrition decrease? (4)
- Wound healing
- Response to treatment
- Rehab potential
- Quality of life
How much does malnutrition cost England per year?
- £19.6 bil → 15% of total expenditure on health and social care
- Most of costs are in secondary health care
- Health costs said to be 3x greater for malnourished than well nourished patients
How do we screen for it?
- MUST (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool) used- it’s based on BMI, unplanned weight loss and presence of acute disease
- Categorises patients as being low, medium or high risk and gives guidelines for treating each
- Carried out by any HCP
Limitions of MUST screening
Can miss malnourished populations e.g. where overhydration is common like in ascites and oedema or where specific screening for functional impairment is desired
Indications for nutrition support
1)Malnourished
BMI<18.5 or unintentional weight loss past 3x6/12 months. Or BMI <20 and unintentional weight loss >5% past 3-6/12 months
2)at risk of malnutrition have eaten nothing or little to nothing in the past 5 days and will continue for next 5days
Or have a poor absorptive capacity or have increased nutritional needs due to catabolism or high nutrient loss
Why is enteral tube feeding preferred to parenteral
To prevent atrophy of GI tract allowing it to continue working
