Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
2
Department of community medicine, Medical School, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
3
International UNESCO Center for Health-Related Basic Sciences and Human Nutrition, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
4
Transplant Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Abstract
Introduction: Malnutrition is a global health issue that affects nearly forty percent of the population. Hospital malnutrition is a severe medical problem that is often overlooked and has negative impacts on both patients' health and the economy. Additionally, malnutrition increases the risk of clinical complications and mortality. On Nutrition Day (nDay), patients in hospital wards and nursing homes worldwide participate in a cross-sectional survey to assess their nutritional status using a standard questionnaire. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition among patients at Imam Reza Teaching Hospital from 2019 to 2021. Method: This study analyzed nDay data from Mashhad’s Imam Reza Teaching Hospital from 2019 to 2021. The study included demographic and nutritional data from patients in fourteen different wards/units of the hospital. By examining patient-reported responses to questions about malnutrition and its risk factors, we present an overview of malnutrition trends over the past three years. Results: The frequency of malnutrition in Burn units was highest at 37.5% in the male unit in 2020 (P-value: < 0.0001). The lowest BMI was observed in Oncology patients, averaging 18.9±2.4 in 2019. The most significant decrease in nutritional intake occurred in the Gastroenterology department, at 37.5% in 2019. The highest change in hospital nutrition intake one week before admission was in the General Surgery ward, with a 47.4% decrease in 2019. Conclusion: Considering the significance of malnutrition, particularly in hospitals, utilizing nDay as a standard questionnaire and screening tool could assist the health system in addressing this issue. Our study of malnutrition trends in Mashhad teaching hospitals from 2019 to 2021 indicates that Burn units, Gastroenterology, Oncology, and General Surgery departments are the most susceptible to malnutrition and thus require increased attention.
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