Prevalence of malnutrition in adults in Queensland public hospitals and residential aged care facilities

Aim: To determine the prevalence of malnutrition in Queensland public acute and residential aged care facilities, and explore effects of variables associated with malnutrition in these populations. Methods: A multicentre, cross-sectional audit of a convenience sample of subjects was carried out as part of a larger audit of pressure ulcers in Queensland public acute and residential aged care facilities in 2002 and again in 2003. Dietitians in 20 hospitals and six aged care facilities conducted single-day nutritional status audits of 2208 acute and 839 aged care subjects using the Subjective Global Assessment, in either or both audits. Subjects excluded were obstetric, same-day, paediatric and mental health patients. Weighted average proportions of nutritional status categories for acute and residential aged care facilities across the two audits were determined and compared. The effects of gender, age, facility location and medical specialty on malnutrition were determined via logistic regression. Results: A mean of 34.7 +/- 4.0% and 31.4 +/- 9.5% of acute subjects and a median of 50.0% and 49.2% of residents of aged care facilities were found to be malnourished in Audits 1 and 2, respectively. Variables found to be significantly associated with an increased odds risk of malnutrition included: older age groups, male (in residential aged care facilities), metropolitan location of facility and medical specialty, in particular, oncology and critical care. Conclusion: Malnutrition is significant in public acute and residential aged care facilities in Queensland. Action must be taken to increase the recognition, prevention and treatment of malnutrition especially in high-risk groups.