Disease Related Malnutrition in Hospital Outpatients, - Time for Action

Abstract

Abstract Background: Malnutrition is common in hospitalized patients, and is known to have negative consequences on the course and outcome of treatment. As the proportion and burden of disease is increasing in the outpatient setting, a focus on malnutrition in the overall outpatient setting may be required. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of unintended weight loss and associated risk factors in outpatients visiting five different specialties. Methods: In this cross sectional study, data regarding weight loss during the past three months, “eaten less” the past week and associated risk factors, was collected consecutively through a one-page questionnaire, for a full week in each of five ambulatories at Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark. Descriptive analysis, Chi2-analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results: Of the 713 participants, 26% had an unintended weight loss within the last three months and 21% had eaten less than usual over the past week. Patients >80 years [CI95%: 1.496;4.358] and underweight patients [CI95%: 1.766;8.884] had significant increased odds for „unintended weight loss‟, while women [CI 95%: 1.216;2.542], patients from the department of medical gastroenterology [CI95%:1.499;4.205], department of gastrointestinal surgery [CI95%: 1.289;3.797] and department of lung medicine [CI95%: 1.353;4.129] as well as underweight patients [CI95% 1.202;4.742] showed increased odds for „eaten less‟. Conclusion: Based on the statistical analysis, there is a high risk of unintended weight loss in outpatient clinics. Therefore, guidelines for handling disease related under nutrition in outpatient settings are required.