| Methods |
Method of randomisation: sealed opaque envelopes, prepared by another individual from computer generated random number table
Assessor blinding: open trial
Intention to treat: yes
Lost to follow‐up: details provided
Timing of the intervention: daily for 8 weeks after discharge from hospital
Length of follow‐up: 6 months |
| Participants |
Location: Dundee area, Scotland recruited from Ninewells or Royal Victoria Hospital
76 patients
Inclusion criteria: recruited from acute general medical wards and medicine for the elderly assessment and discharged back to the community (own home, with relatives, sheltered housing or residential homes) evidence of undernutrition defined by admission BMI = 24 with MAMC or TSF < 10th centile and or 5% or more loss in body weight during hospital stay.
Sex: 101 female, 35 male
Age: 83.7 (SD 5.2), 85.4 (SD 5.4) |
| Interventions |
a: 2 cartons (400 ml, 600 kcal, 24g protein, 72g carbohydrate Fortisip or Fortifresh, Nutricia, UK) in a variety of flavours
b: no supplement provided Allocated: 66/70
Assessed: 35/41 |
| Outcomes |
Main outcomes: Mortality, complications, functional status, anthropometry, weight, dietary intake
Additional outcomes: Unplanned readmissions, one or more prescription of antibiotics, new antidepressant prescriptions, introduction of other new medication, out patient or day hospital attendance, respite admission, falls, planned admissions, admissions to residential home |
| Notes |
|
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
B ‐ Unclear |
