Inadequate caloric intake: a risk factor for mortality of geriatric patients in the acute-care hospital

Age and Ageing,  May, 1998  by Raffaele Antonelli Incalzi,  Oliviero Capparella,  Antonella Gemma,  Francesco Landi,  Francesco PAgano,  Luca Cipriani,  Pierugo Carbonin

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These limitations do not detract from the message of this study: nutrition in the acute-care hospital is frequently inadequate, and nutritional depletion occurs mainly in the most frail patients and affects their prognosis. Nutritional support should be a routine component of medical care everywhere. Improving the knowledge of nutritional needs and nutritional support is probably one of the main objectives to pursue in medical education.

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank S. Magalini for her careful review of the manuscript.

Key points

* Elderly patients are at risk of starvation both in surgical and in medical and geriatric wards.

* Malnourished and dependent patients have the most marked nutritional depletion.

* Inadequate caloric intake contributes to the risk of in-hospital mortality.

* Nutritional support should be a key component of hospital care of geriatric patients.

References

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