Resumen

Prevalence of malnutrition and caloric and protein deficit in patients hospitalized in a University Hospital. Diaeta [online]. 2015, vol.33, n.153, pp.38-43. ISSN 1852-7337.

Introduction: Patients hospitalized with nutritional risk (NR) or malnutrition (DNT) present complications between 2 and 20 times more than patients with normal nutritional status (NS). Many do not cover the hospital diet, protein and caloric requirements. Objectives: To assess the NS of in-patients and determine the caloric and protein deficits. Method: Descriptive cross-sectional study in 135 patients selected through cluster. Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), body mass index (BMI), percentage of weight change (PWC) and food consumption by a 24-hour diet recall. Results: 38.5% of the sample showed moderate NR or DNT and 17.1% severe DNT. 49.5% of patients with normal BMI, overweight and obesity lost weight, being severe in 64.4%. The caloric and protein intake were adapted to the patient´s requirements in 45.2% and 63.7% respectively; however, caloric deficit was registered in 54.8 % of the sample and protein deficit in 36.3 %. Caloric requirement was achieved with the administration of nutritional support (NS), in more than half of the patients with DNT and NR (92.3 % and 66.6% respectively) Conclusion: The NR and DNT in hospitals continue being a problem with high prevalence. The exaggerated weight loss compromises the NS of patients, being the PWP a more useful indicator than the BMI. The NS is indicated when the patient has an advanced deterioration. Despite, NS could cover the nutritional requirements in more than half of the patients with NR or DNT. The results encourage to work upon the causes of deficit in nutrients and the use of NS in those that need a nutritional supplement, for an efficient treatment and for a patient recovery the soonest possible.

Palabras clave : Hospital Malnutrition; Nutritional Status; Subjective Global Assessment; Percentage of Weight Change; Caloric and Protein Deficit; Nutritional Support.