Predictors of “Hospital Acquired Malnutrition” in Older Patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Progression and predictors of “Hospital Acquired Malnutrition” in Older Patients during Hospitalisation
IRAS ID
141892
Contact name
Liz Burleigh
Contact email
Research summary
The incidence of malnutrition is high among frail elderly, particularly those in hospital admission. Moreover, undernutrition frequently remains undiagnosed during hospitalisation, hence the risk for deterioration is increased.
The topic of malnutrition in elderly inpatients has been studied extensively but the large majority of the previous studies were descriptive, of cross-sectional design and suffered from various methodological flaws. The exclusion of large groups of patients, particularly those at high risk of malnutrition, makes extrapolation of the results of these previous studies to the general hospitalised elderly population difficult. More evidence is now needed to explore changes in the risk of malnutrition, weight loss and dietary food intake not just at hospital admission but also during hospitalisation.
This study is a hospital based observational study, that aims to assess the progression and predictors of hospital acquired malnutrition, including decreased food intake and weight loss during hospitalisation. The study will assess eating bahaviour, medical, cognitive, functional, psychological, poor quality of life and hospital food service factors in well-nourished and malnourished participants.
Eligible participants will be 94 patients (aged = 65 years old) admitted to the geriatric units of the Mansionhouse Unit, Glasgow and the geriatric ward at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley. Patients will be assessed within 72 hours of admission.
The researcher will take basic body size measurements,ask each patient about living conditions, eating habits, their opinions about the hospital food service,their daily activities, their memory and take pictures of patient's meals before and after eating.
Data will be measured at baseline, 7 days and after 21 days of their hospital admission in order to assess changes and predictors of malnutrition risk, weight and food intake from admission to discharge.REC name
Scotland A REC
REC reference
14/SS/1012
Date of REC Opinion
1 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Unfavourable Opinion