Changes in Nutrient Intake in Patients at Nutritional Risk

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in nutrient intake in patients at nutritional risk. We included 106 malnourished patients who were admitted to Severance Hospital from March to September 2014. The average age was 59.0±11.6 years old and 59 patients were male (59.7%). The majority of diagnosis was cancer (94.3%). We evaluated patients’ nutritional status by scored patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA), anthropometric measurement (height, weight, body composition by Bioelectrical impedance analysis), hand grip strength, biochemical and dietary assessment. The patients’ daily intakes of energy and protein (1,019.5±706.4 kcal, 40.4±27.7 g) during hospitalization were significantly lower than their usual intakes (1,382.0±499.8 kcal, 54.4±25.1 g, P<0.001). Serum levels of albumin, cholesterol, and total lymphocytes were significantly reduced during hospital stay. The negatively influencing factors for reduced dietary intake were anorexia (42.5%), abdominal distention (14.2%), pain (13.2%), and others. The results of this study could be used to establish baseline data for developing new strategies for nutritional intervention in malnourished patients.