Malnutrition in hospitalized patients:: prevalence and economic impact

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Malnutrition constitutes a serious problem of public health. We intended to know the prevalence of undernourishment in our hospital, as well as to assess the expenses generated by its presence. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A study of cohorts was designed to evaluate the nutritional state of randomly selected patients admitted to a third level hospital. We carried out a protocol of nutritional evaluation and quantified the associated costs including drugs, diet, and hospital stay according to diagnosis-related groups. RESULTS: In agreement with anthropometry and the index of corporal mass, the prevalence of malnutrition was 0.3% and 13.4%, respectively. When analyzing the biochemical markers, the prevalence rose to 65.7%. Patients with malnutrition at the time of admission underwent a 59.9% deterioration of their nutritional state. An increase of costs was observed in relation to the length of hospital stay (68.04% compared with normo-nourished patients). Costs related to consumption of medicines, especially antibiotics, were also higher, as well as costs related to nutritional support. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition is a phenomenon frequently observed in a hospital setting. Malnutrition associated costs are significant.