Comparison of Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 and Subjective Global Assessment Form as Short Nutrition Assessment Tools in Older Hospitalized Adults

C-reactive protein-albumin-lymphocyte index as a feasible nutrition-immunity-inflammation marker of the outcome of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in elderly

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The imbalance of nutrition-immunity-inflammation status might be associated with the mortality risk in the elderly. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the C-reactive protein (CRP)-albumin-lymphocyte (CALLY) index and all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in the elderly.

METHODS

The data from records of older adults (≥ 60 years) were derived from 1999 to 2010 and 2015-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Weighted Cox proportional hazard regression was used to analyze the relationship between CALLY and all-cause mortality and CVD mortality in three different models, and the linear trend was analyzed. A restricted cubic spline model was used to evaluate the nonlinear dose-response relationship and determine the critical threshold of CALLY to divide the population into two groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test were used to evaluate the cumulative survival rates of different groups. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were performed to ensure robustness.

RESULTS

Compared to the first quartile of natural log-transformation (ln) CALLY, the highest quartile of ln CALLY was negatively correlated with the risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.56-0.79. P < 0.05) and CVD mortality (HR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.47-0.89. P < 0.05) in model 3. Ln CALLY was linear dose-response correlated with mortality. We determined that the critical threshold for ln CALLY in elderly was 1.00. Elderly with higher ln CALLY (≥ 1.00) had significantly increased survival rates (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

CALLY showed a significant negative linear association with the risk of all-cause mortality and CVD mortality, and higher CALLY was beneficial to the survival outcomes of the elderly.

Phase angle is a predictor for postoperative complications in colorectal cancer

Aim

The aim of this study was to develop a validated nomogram to predict the risk of postoperative complications in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients by analyzing the factors that contribute to these complications.

Methods

We retrospectively collected clinical information on patients who underwent CRC surgery at a single clinical center from January 2021 to December 2021. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify independent risk factors for postoperative complications and to develop a predictive model. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to calculate the area under the curve (AUC) to assess the predicted probability. Calibration curve was drawn to compare the predicted probability of the nomogram with the actual probability, and decision curve analysis (DCA) was employed to evaluate the clinical utility of the nomogram.

Results

A total of 190 CRC patients were included in this study. We retrospectively collected baseline information, clinical information, surgical information, and nutrition-related indicators for all patients. Through multivariate logistic regression analysis, preoperative albumin (p = 0.041, OR = 0.906, 95% CI = 0.824-0.996), surgical time (p = 0.009, OR = 1.006, 95% CI = 1.001-1.010), waistline (p = 0.049, OR = 1.011, 95% CI = 1.002-1.020) and phase angle (PA) (p = 0.022, OR = 0.615, 95% CI = 0.405-0.933) were identified as independent risk factors for postoperative complications in CRC, and a nomogram prediction model was established using the above four variables. The AUC of 0.706 for the ROC plot and the high agreement between predicted and actual probabilities in the calibration curves suggested that the prediction model has good predictive power. The DCA also confirmed the good clinical performance of the nomogram.

Conclusion

This study developed a nomogram to predict the risk of postoperative complications in CRC patients, providing surgeons with a reliable reference to personalized patient management in the perioperative period and preoperative nutritional interventions.

Extracellular Water Ratio and Phase Angle as Predictors of Exacerbation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by high-energy metabolism, often leads to malnutrition and is linked to exacerbations. This study investigates the association of malnutrition-related body composition and handgrip strength changes with exacerbation frequencies in COPD patients.

METHODS

We analyzed 77 acute exacerbation COPD (AECOPD) patients and 82 stable COPD patients, categorized as frequent and infrequent exacerbators. Assessments included body composition, handgrip strength, nutritional risk, dyspnea scale, and COPD assessment.

RESULTS

Among AECOPD patients, there were 22 infrequent and 55 frequent exacerbators. Infrequent exacerbators showed better muscle parameters, extracellular water ratio, phase angle, and handgrip strength. Significant differences in intracellular water, total cellular water, protein, and body cell mass were observed between groups. Logistic regression indicated that extracellular water ratio (OR = 1.086) and phase angle (OR = 0.396) were independently associated with exacerbation risk. Thresholds for exacerbation risk were identified as 0.393 for extracellular water ratio and 4.85° for phase angle. In stable COPD, 13 frequent and 69 infrequent exacerbators were compared, showing no significant differences in weight, muscle, and adipose parameters, but significant differences in extracellular water ratio, phase angle, and handgrip strength.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that increased exacerbations in COPD patients correlate with higher extracellular water ratios and lower phase angles.

Validity of nutrition screening tools for risk of malnutrition among hospitalized adult patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUNDS & AIMS

Malnutrition is prevalent among hospitalized patients in developed countries, contributing to negative health outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Timely identification and management of malnutrition are crucial. The lack of a universally accepted definition and standardized diagnostic criteria for malnutrition has led to the development of various screening tools, each with varying validity. This complicates early identification of malnutrition, hindering effective intervention strategies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify the most valid and reliable nutritional screening tool for assessing the risk of malnutrition in hospitalized adults.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted to identify validation studies published from inception to November 2023, in the Pubmed/MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL databases. This systematic review was registered in INPLASY (INPLASY202090028). The risk of bias and quality of included studies were assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies version 2 (QUADAS-2). Meta-analyses were performed for screening tools accuracy using the symmetric hierarchical summary receiver operative characteristics models.

RESULTS

Of the 1646 articles retrieved, 60 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review, and 21 were included in the meta-analysis. A total of 51 malnutrition risk screening tools and 9 reference standards were identified. The meta-analyses assessed four common malnutrition risk screening tools against two reference standards (Subjective Global Assessment [SGA] and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism [ESPEN] criteria). The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) vs SGA had a sensitivity (95% Confidence Interval) of 0.84 (0.73-0.91), and specificity of 0.85 (0.75-0.91). The MUST vs ESPEN had a sensitivity of 0.97 (0.53-0.99) and specificity of 0.80 (0.50-0.94). The Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) vs SGA had a sensitivity of 0.81 (0.67-0.90) and specificity of 0.79 (0.72-0.74). The Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) vs ESPEN had a sensitivity of 0.99 (0.41-0.99) and specificity of 0.60 (0.45-0.73). The Nutrition Universal Screening Tool-2002 (NRS-2002) vs SGA had a sensitivity of 0.76 (0.58-0.87) and specificity of 0.86 (0.76-0.93).

CONCLUSIONS

The MUST demonstrated high accuracy in detecting malnutrition risk in hospitalized adults. However, the quality of the studies included varied greatly, possibly introducing bias in the results. Future research should compare tools within a specific patient population using a valid and universal gold standard to ensure improved patient care and outcomes.

Correlation of the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 Score With Post-operative Complications in Gastrointestinal and Hepatopancreatobiliary Oncosurgeries

Introduction The Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) is a reliable tool for assessing patients' nutritional status and for identifying those who may benefit from nutritional support before undergoing surgery. However, its application and correlation with post-operative outcomes for Nepalese patients undergoing gastrointestinal and hepatopancreatobiliary oncosurgeries remain unexplored. The objective of this study was to correlate the NRS 2002's nutritional risk with post-operative complications classified by the Clavien-Dindo Classification. Methods A prospective analytical study was conducted at Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital, with 74 adults who underwent gastrointestinal and hepatopancreatobiliary oncosurgeries between 1st March 2021 and 30th August 2022. The study was conducted following ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Committee of the Hospital. A convenience sampling method was used. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20 (Released 2011; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Results Among the 122 patients admitted during the study period, 74 met the inclusion criteria. Using the NRS-2002, 37.8% were found to be at nutritional risk. Such patients had a higher risk of complications and extended hospital stays, supported by an odds ratio of 1.647 (95% confidence interval: 1.223 -2.219) and a p-value of <0.001. Nutritional risk emerged as an independent predictor of post-operative complications. Conclusion The study suggests the potential of NRS-2002 as a significant predictor of outcomes after surgeries for gastrointestinal and hepatopancreatobiliary malignancies in the South Asian context, particularly in Nepal. Tools such as NRS 2002 play a pivotal role in early risk identification, which could subsequently influence both pre-operative and post-operative care strategies, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.

The role of nutritional risk evaluation in predicting adverse outcomes among patients with severe COVID-19 in Vietnam

Introduction

As sufficient nutrition helps alleviate catabolic stress and modulate the systemic inflammatory response of the body, it plays an indispensable role in the good prognosis of critically ill patients. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the malnutrition of patients with severe COVID-19 and its association with adverse treatment outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study in two provincial hospitals in Hanoi from February to April 2022. Participants were patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Malnutrition risk were evaluated by Nutritional Risk Screening-2002 (NRS), Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM), Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), and the adverse prognosis was assessed by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II). The multivariate receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to estimate the predictive ability of those criteria regarding worse treatment results.

Results

The percentages of malnutrition measured by NRS, GLIM, PNI, and BMI were 62.6, 51.5, 42.9, and 16.6%, respectively. Patients with more severe malnutrition assessed by GLIM, PNI, and having above target fasting blood glucose (FBG) (≥10.0 mmol/L) were more likely to have higher APACHE scores. PNI had a better diagnostic performance than NRS and BMI (AUC = 0.84, 0.81, and 0.82, respectively). In addition, FBG revealed a good prognostic implication (AUC = 0.84).

Conclusion

A relatively high percentage of patients experienced moderate and severe malnutrition regardless of screening tools. Individuals at higher risk of malnutrition and high FBG were predicted to have more adverse treatment outcomes. It is recommended that nutritional screening should be conducted regularly, and personalizing nutritional care strategies is necessary to meet patients' nutrient demands and prevent other nutrition-related complications.

Nutritional indicators' performance in malnutrition diagnosis of hospitalized elderly patients

BACKGROUND

Several nutritional diagnosis methods and their relationship with clinical outcomes have been described. This study investigated malnutrition in hospitalized elderly patients (HEP) using different nutritional indicators and determined criteria to identify malnutrition and explore the variables that discriminate the risk of malnutrition.

METHOD

Cross-sectional study with 500 HEP; different methods of nutritional diagnosis, their relationship with clinical outcomes and criteria for defining malnutrition were investigated. The GLIM criteria for the diagnosis of malnutrition was applied in this study. In the statistical analysis, the Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney test, univariate and multiple logistic regression and the ROC curve were used.

RESULTS

Patients aged 65-79 years, at nutritional risk or with malnutrition, had longer hospital stays (p = 0.0099; OR = 1.047; 95% CI = 1.011; 1.084) and lower body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.0001; OR = 0.867 (1153)); 95% CI = 0.813; 0.924 (1085; 1225). Patients aged ≥80 years had a lower BMI (p = 0.0053; OR = 0.779 (1284); 95% CI = 0.653; 0.928 (1078; 1531)). Accuracy was significant in both age groups for BMI (p < 0.0001; 65-79 years and p = 0.001; ≥80 years); for the lymphocyte count (p = 0.0167; 65-79 years and p = 0.0028; ≥80 years), and for the calf circumference (CC) (p < 0.0001; 65-79 years and p = 0.001; ≥80 years). Using the GLIM criteria, 27.78% of patients were considered malnourished. CC showed good accuracy, good specificity, but low sensitivity while BMI was more accurate to detect malnutrition in both age groups.

CONCLUSION

CC showed good accuracy, good specificity, but low sensitivity to detect malnutrition. BMI was more accurate in both age groups to detect malnutrition.

Cardiometabolic Disorders Are Important Correlates of Vulnerability in Hospitalized Older Adults

With an increasingly aging population worldwide, the concept of multimorbidity has attracted growing interest over recent years, especially in terms of frailty, which leads to progressive multisystem decline and increased adverse clinical outcomes. The relative contribution of multiple disorders to overall frailty index in older populations has not been established so far. This study aimed to assess the association between the vulnerable elders survey-13 (VES-13) score, which is acknowledged to be one of the most widely used measures of frailty, and the most common accompanying diseases amongst hospitalized adults aged 60 years old and more. A total of 2860 participants with an average age of 83 years were included in this study. Multiple logistic regression with adjustment for age and nutritional status was used to assess the independent impact of every particular disease on vulnerability. Diabetes mellitus type 2, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, osteoarthritis, fractures, eyes disorders, depression, dementia, pressure ulcers, and urinary incontinence were associated with higher scores of VES-13. Hospital admission of older subjects with those conditions should primarily draw attention to the risk of functional decline, especially while qualifying older patients for further treatment in surgery and oncology. At the same time, lipid disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, higher body mass index, and albumins level were related to a lower risk of being vulnerable, which may be attributed to a younger age and better nutritional status of those patients.

International study on the prevalence of malnutrition in centralized care for colorectal cancer patients

Objectives

Patients with different diseases may show signs of malnutrition both before and during the hospital stay. The presence of malnutrition may impact the recovery and length of stay and consequently the costs. Early identification of malnutrition is thus a critical factor. The objective of this multicenter study is to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in colorectal cancer centers. Another objective is to investigate possible consequences, such as complications or length of stay. In addition, the study aims to demonstrate the relevance of nutrition management in colorectal cancer centers. At the same time, relevant requirements clearly demanded by the Certification Commission for Certified Colorectal Cancer Centers are met through implementation of the study.

Methods

Between 2019 and 2021, patients in colorectal cancer centers were examined in the preoperative phase. In addition to questions about patients' state of health and nutrition, the validated screening forms-Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and Nutritional Risk Screening Tool 2002 (NRS 2002)-were used to assess malnutrition. The data were processed by univariate analysis.

Results

In total, data records of 3,102 patients were evaluated. The mean age of the participants was 68.5 ± 11.9 years, and their average body mass index (BMI) was 26.8 ± 5.3 kg/m2. The SGA questionnaire indicated that 23 % of the participants suffered from malnutrition and 38 % were at risk of malnutrition (NRS≥3). Malnutrition was found more frequently in patients with colorectal carcinomas than in patients with rectal carcinomas (53.1 vs. 32.1 %). The length of stay in hospital and the rate of complications were significantly higher when malnutrition was identified.

Conclusions

Approximately one in three to four patients with a colorectal carcinoma has an increased risk of malnutrition. The two screening methods calculated a different prevalence (23 and 38 %). Any malnutrition that is present demonstrably has a significant impact both on the rate of complications and the length of stay and may therefore have a decisive influence on the costs. The results of this multicenter study underscore the need for systematic screening for malnutrition and at the same time should increase clinics awareness of the importance of establishing a nutrition management policy.

Association of Spinal Alignment and Abdominal Circumference with Sarcopenia Status and Fall Risk in Patients with Osteoporosis: A Retrospective Study

Since vertebral kyphosis and abdominal circumference are thought to influence sarcopenia and fall risk in osteoporosis, we evaluated sarcopenia and fall risk in patients with different measurements of abdominal circumference and sagittal longitudinal axis (SVA). In this post hoc study, 227 patients aged 65 years or more who visited an outpatient osteoporosis clinic were included in the analysis. Sarcopenia was determined from lean body mass, grip strength, and walking speed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry; SVA (median 40 mm) and abdominal circumference (median 80 cm) were compared between the four groups, each divided into two groups. Nutritional management, falls, and fall anxiety scores were also examined. The incidence of sarcopenia was significantly increased in those with abdominal circumference < 80 cm in both the SVA < 40 mm and SVA ≥ 40 mm groups (p < 0.05). Nonetheless, the fall scores of those with SVA < 40 mm were lower than those of individuals with SVA ≥ 40 mm (p < 0.01). Based on the results of this study, SVA and abdominal circumference values may predict the risk of sarcopenia and falls. More research is needed before our results can be translated into clinical practice.

The Addition of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index to the Prognostic Scoring Systems Did Not Improve Mortality Prediction in Trauma Patients in the Intensive Care Unit

Background

Malnutrition is prevalent among critically ill patients and has been associated with a poor prognosis. This study sought to determine whether the addition of a nutritional indicator to the various variables of prognostic scoring models can improve the prediction of mortality among trauma patients in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods

This study's cohort included 1,126 trauma patients hospitalized in the ICU between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2021. Two nutritional indicators, the prognostic nutrition index (PNI), a calculation based on the serum albumin concentration and peripheral blood lymphocyte count, and the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), a calculation based on the serum albumin concentration and the ratio of current body weight to ideal body weight, were examined for their association with the mortality outcome. The significant nutritional indicator was served as an additional variable in prognostic scoring models of the Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS), the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II), and the mortality prediction models (MPM II) at admission, 24, 48, and 72 h in the mortality outcome prediction. The predictive performance was determined by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results

Multivariate logistic regression revealed that GNRI (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.96-0.99; p=0.007), but not PNI (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.97-1.02; p=0.518), was independent risk factor for mortality. However, none of these predictive scoring models showed a significant improvement in prediction when the GNRI variable is incorporated.

Conclusions

The addition of GNRI as a variable to the prognostic scoring models did not significantly enhance the performance of the predictors.

The Relationship between Nutritional Risk and the Most Common Chronic Diseases in Hospitalized Geriatric Population from Central Poland

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) and the prevalence of concomitant chronic diseases among hospitalized older adults. This study included 2122 consecutively hospitalized older participants with an average age of 82 years. The criteria to participate were the ability to communicate and give consent. In multivariate design, the prevalence of nutritional risk with at least 3 points in the NRS-2002 score was associated with the presence of stroke, atrial fibrillation, dementia and pressure ulcers. Patients with arterial hypertension, lipid disorders, osteoarthritis and urine incontinence had a significantly lower (better) NRS-2002 score. The explanation of the inverse relationship between some disorders and nutritional risk may be their occurrence in relatively earlier age and the relationship with body mass index. In conclusion, the study revealed which medical conditions coexist with the increased nutritional risk in a “real-world” hospitalized geriatric population. The hospital admission of an older subject with stroke, atrial fibrillation, dementia or pressure ulcers should primarily draw attention to the nutritional risk of the patient.

Prevalence and prognostic significance of malnutrition risk in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis: A hospital-based cohort study

Background

The prevalence and prognostic significance of malnutrition risk remain unclear in Chinese patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the malnutrition risk in Chinese patients and explore the relationship between malnutrition risk and follow-up outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a hospital-based cohort study from January 2020 to December 2020. Malnutrition risks were evaluated using nutritional scales, including the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002), the controlling nutritional status score (CONUT), the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), and the prognostic nutritional index (PNI). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at a one-year follow-up. Malnutrition risk was calculated, and the relationship between malnutrition and follow-up outcomes was analyzed. We assessed the performance of malnutrition risks to predict clinical outcomes in prognostic models.

Results

A total of 1,075 patients were included. According to NRS-2002, CONUT, GNRI, and PNI, 818 (76.09%), 954 (88.74%), 682 (63.44%), and 364 (33.86%) patients were at risk of malnutrition, respectively. Before 1-year follow-up, a total of 99 patients (9.2%) had died. After adjustment for risk factors, the association between severe malnutrition in CONUT (HR = 4.78, 95% CI: 1.14-20.11, P = 0.033), GNRI (HR = 3.53, 95% CI: 1.70-7.34, P = 0.001), or PNI (HR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.76-4.88, P < 0.001) and death before 1-year follow-up remained significant. The addition of the nutritional scales to prognostic models improved death prediction, as validated by the integrated discrimination index (all P-values of <0.05).

Conclusion

Malnutrition in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis was associated with an increased risk of all-cause death in the long-term follow-up. Our findings provided evidence for the use of admission nutrition screening in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Risk of Malnutrition in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

(1) Background: Studies have reported that COVID-19 may increase the risk of malnutrition among patients. However, the prevalence of such risk in hospitalized COVID-19 patients is uncertain due to the inconsistent use of assessment methods. (2) Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE were searched to identify studies on the nutritional status of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. A pooled prevalence of malnutrition risk evaluated by Nutrition Risk Score (NRS-2002) was obtained using a random effects model. Differences by study-level characteristics were examined by hospitalization setting, time of assessment, age, and country. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle−Ottawa Scale. (3) Results: 53 studies from 17 countries were identified and summarized. A total of 17 studies using NRS-2002, including 3614 COVID-19 patients were included in the primary meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of risk of malnutrition was significantly higher among ICU patients (92.2%, 95% CI: 85.9% to 96.8%) than among general ward patients (70.7%, 95% CI: 56.4% to 83.2%) (p = 0.002). No significant differences were found between age groups (≥65 vs. <65 years, p = 0.306) and countries (p = 0.893). (4) Conclusions: High risk of malnutrition is common and concerning in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, suggesting that malnutrition screening and nutritional support during hospitalization are needed.

Two Distinct Nutritional Assessment Tools Have Dissimilar Outcomes in a Sample of Older Adult Patients With Cancer

Introduction

Malnutrition is strongly associated with negative outcomes in aged populations with cancer. Several studies have compared the outcomes of nutritional-screening tools, but knowledge specifically covering older adult patients with cancer remains limited. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of two tools, the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) versus the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) for this population.

Method

Cross-sectional study with 432 participants who consented to participate and were enrolled at admission to medical and surgical wards of a tertiary referral hospital. The participants’ nutritional statuses were simultaneously assessed using the PG-SGA and the MNA, and the outcomes compared using the kappa statistical test. The Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC) was employed to calculate the MNA sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and was compared with PG-SGA.

Results

Prevalence of good nourishment was observed in 62.5% and 61.1% of the participants, as detected by PG-SGA and MNA, respectively. Both tools concurred moderately (kappa = 0.453). Importantly, there were significant differences in the diagnosis of malnutrition (7.6% vs. 4.6%, p = 0.000). The MNA showed sensitivity of 72.2% and specificity of 75.9% in detecting good nourishment for the population investigated.

Conclusion

The MNA may not present greater sensitivity, possibly due to a lack of coverage of gastrointestinal symptoms. It is a quick and efficient tool for nutritional assessment of older adult patients with cancer, but as it is more specific than sensitive, caution is recommended when identifying borderline or early malnourished individuals of this population.

Can the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002) predict unfavorable clinical outcome in hospitalized elderly patients?

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized elderly patients (HEP) is high.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the behavior of several nutritional indicators and predictors of unfavorable clinical outcome.

METHODS

Retrospective study with hospitalized elderly patients (N = 322). Nutritional instruments, indicators and outcome were investigated. Chi-square, Fisher and Mann-Whitney tests and univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis were used.

RESULTS

The variables that, jointly, were associated with hospital stay longer than 7 days, include: the presence of complications (p = 0.0328; OR 1.946; IC95% 1.056; 3.585) and nutritional risk according to the NRS-2002 (p = 0.0016; OR 2.080; IC95% 1.322; 3.275). The variable that remained associated with complications in the multiple model was the nutritional risk according to the NRS-2002 (p = 0.0018; OR 2.587; IC95% 1.423; 4.703).

CONCLUSION

Nutritional risk using the NRS-2002 is a predictor of clinical outcome in hospitalized elderly patients.

Risk of Malnutrition upon Admission and after Discharge in Acutely Admitted Older Medical Patients: A Prospective Observational Study

There is a lack of knowledge about malnutrition and risk of malnutrition upon admission and after discharge in older medical patients. This study aimed to describe prevalence, risk factors, and screening tools for malnutrition in older medical patients. In a prospective observational study, malnutrition was evaluated in 128 older medical patients (≥65 years) using the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002), the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) and the Eating Validation Scheme (EVS). The European Society of Clinical Nutrition (ESPEN) diagnostic criteria from 2015 were applied for diagnosis. Agreement between the screening tools was evaluated by kappa statistics. Risk factors for malnutrition included polypharmacy, dysphagia, depression, low functional capacity, eating-related problems and lowered cognitive function. Malnutrition or risk of malnutrition were prevalent at baseline (59-98%) and follow-up (30-88%). The baseline, follow-up and transitional agreements ranged from slight to moderate. NRS-2002 and MNA-SF yielded the highest agreement (kappa: 0.31 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.18-0.44) to 0.57 (95%CI 0.42-0.72)). Prevalence of risk factors ranged from 17-68%. Applying ESPEN 2015 diagnostic criteria, 15% had malnutrition at baseline and 13% at follow-up. In conclusion, malnutrition, risk of malnutrition and risk factors hereof are prevalent in older medical patients. MNA-SF and NRS-2002 showed the highest agreement at baseline, follow-up, and transitionally.