Rationale: The study aims to determine the prevalence of malnutrition among adult patients with SARS-COV2 pneumonia admitted at a private tertiary care hospital in the Philippines. Data will serve as baseline information for future development of hospital nutrition guidelines.
Methods: This is a descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study based on data collected from the medical records of 516 adults admitted to the hospital for SARS-COV2 pneumonia from April 1, 2020 until May 31, 2021. Data included age, sex, malnutrition risk scores based on Nutrition Risk Screening 2002, body mass index (BMI), dietary intake, and presence of co-morbidities.
Results: All subjects had normal BMI. Mean age was 60 years. Subjects > 70 years of age had the highest malnutrition prevalence at 61.1%. Malnutrition prevalence was not significantly different between sexes (24%, female vs 28%, male). Malnutrition was more prevalent among subjects who experienced moderate weight loss compared to those with mild weight loss (97.6% vs 32.8%). All patients had significant reduction in food intake. Subjects with malignancy and chronic kidney disease had higher malnutrition prevalence at 50%. Mortality was higher in subjects with higher malnutrition risk scores (56.12%).
Conclusion: Advanced age, weight loss within 3 months, decreased intake, and the presence of co-morbidities are significant factors in the development of malnutrition among adult patients diagnosed with SARS COV 2 pneumonia. These parameters should be considered when formulating hospital nutrition pathways for these patients.
Disclosure of Interest: None declared
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