Perfil nutricional dos pacientes internados em um hospital universitário da Paraíba

Abstract

Introduction: Malnutrition or subnutrition are conditions related to the increase in morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients and are associated with prolonged hospitalization, higher cost, higher incidence of complications, harder recovery and quality of life for the patient, as well as possible changes in the operation of various systems in the patient’s body. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the nutritional and epidemiological profile of the hospitalized patients. Methods: Transversal observational analytical study, gathering the data of 125 hospitalized patients in the Medical Clinic infirmary of Lauro Wanderley University Hospital, João Pessoa/PB, between August 2018 and May 2019. The analysis consists of a review of the patient’s medical records, interview using the Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment (SGNA) and measurement of brachial circumference (BC), in all patients older than 18 years old, up until 3 days of admission. Results: The sample consist of 52 (41.6%) male and 73 (58.4%) female patients. The presence of malnutrition varied according to the method used, being of 10.2% by body mass index (BMI), 43.1% by BC and 25.6% by SGNA. Regarding gender, BC appointed a prevalence on men. By age analysis, malnutrition was more common above 50 years old. Conclusion: Hospital environment presents an important association with malnutrition, which demands attention on patient care by the healthcare staff, in particular to the ones above 50 years old.