Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between nutritional status and
rehabilitation outcome in elderly inpatients with hospital-associated
deconditioning. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. SUBJECTS/PATIENTS: One
hundred sixty-nine consecutive elderly inpatients diagnosed with
hospital-associated deconditioning. METHODS: Nutritional status at referral was
assessed by the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form at the University Medical
Center. Body mass index, haemoglobin, albumin, total lymphocyte count, C-reactive
protein, cause of malnutrition, and feeding route were also investigated. Primary
outcome was Barthel Index score at discharge. RESULTS: A total of 148 patients
(87.6%) were malnourished, and 21 were at risk for malnutrition. There were no
patients with normal nutritional status. Malnourished patients had a lower
Barthel Index score at discharge than those at risk for malnutrition. Chronic
disease-related malnutrition, oral intake, and parenteral nutrition were
associated with the Barthel Index score at discharge. There were significant
correlations between the Barthel Index score at discharge and nutritional score,
albumin, and total lymphocyte count. In multiple regression analysis, Mini
Nutritional Assessment Short Form, albumin, and chronic disease-related
malnutrition were significantly associated with the Barthel Index score at
discharge. CONCLUSION: Most elderly inpatients with hospital-associated
deconditioning are malnourished. Nutritional status, albumin, and chronic
disease-related malnutrition are associated with poor rehabilitation outcome in
hospital-associated deconditioning.
- Dénutrition

Langue : ANGLAIS