Nutritional status of patients in the cardiac ward of a regional hospital

Aim of studyTo assess the nutritional status of patients in the cardiac ward of the Regional Hospital in Zlín, and to analyze the association between nutritional status and selected characteristics of hospitalized cardiac patients.Patients and methodsA group of 236 patients was created by collecting of data of all currently hospitalized patients at randomly selected time points at approximately 3-week intervals (August through December 2012). Nutritional status was assessed using a screening questionnaire developed by the Nutrition and Dietetic Center of the Prague-based Thomayer Hospital. The data were used to determine any association between the risk of malnutrition with sex, age, diagnosis of a heart disease, left ventricular function, associated conditions, length of hospitalization, social background, treatment with some drugs, insomnia, chronic pain, patient mobility, and other factors.ResultsThe criteria of impending malnutrition were met by 67 patients (28.4%) while 3 patients (1.3%) already suffered from malnutrition. Significant risk factors for malnutrition included female sex (malnutrition risk 22% males vs. 37.8% females; p=0.009), age above 76 years (median 70 vs. 78 years; p<0.001), some comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, history of stroke, gastrointestinal tract-related disease, alcohol abuse, malignancy) (p<0.001), long-term immobility (p<0.001), length of hospitalization over 6 days (median 4 vs. 7 days; p<0,001), polypharmacy, and treatment with some drug classes. An association between malnutrition risk and the type of cardiac disease has been established (p=0.016). No association has been demonstrated between nutritional status and left ventricular ejection fraction, body mass index, co-existing psychiatric disorder and/or dementia, and socioeconomic status of the patient.ConclusionsOur study has shown that impending malnutrition or current malnutrition poses a major problem in a significant proportion of hospitalized cardiac patients. Thorough screening and nutritional intervention should make an integral and/or essential part of care of patients hospitalized in a standard cardiac ward.