The Malnutrition Frequency Trend in Imam Reza Teaching Hospital: Results from Nutrition Day 2019-2021

Malnutrition is a global health issue affecting nearly 40% of the population. Hospital malnutrition is a severe medical problem, which is often overlooked and has negative effects on both patients' health and the economy. In addition, malnutrition increases the risk of clinical complications and mortality. On Nutrition Day (nDay), patients in hospital wards and nursing homes worldwide participate in a cross-sectional survey using a standard questionnaire to assess their nutritional status. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition among patients at Imam Reza Teaching Hospital from 2019 to 2021. 

This study analyzed nDay data from Mashhad’s Imam Reza Teaching Hospital from 2019 to 2021. The study included demographic and nutritional data from patients in fourteen different wards/units of the hospital. Over the past three years, an overview of malnutrition trends was presented by examining patient-reported responses to questions about malnutrition and its risk factors. 

The frequency of malnutrition in Burn units was the highest at 37.5% in the male unit in 2020 (P-value: <0.0001). The lowest BMI was observed in Oncology patients, averaging 18.9±2.4 in 2019. The most significant decrease in nutritional intake occurred in the Gastroenterology department, at 37.5% in 2019. The most significant change in hospital nutrition intake one week before admission was in the General Surgery ward, with a 47.4% decrease in 2019. 

The significance of malnutrition, particularly in hospitals, could assist the health system in addressing this issue by using nDay as a standard questionnaire and screening tool. This study indicated that Burn units, Gastroenterology, Oncology, and General Surgery departments are the most susceptible to malnutrition and thus require increased attention.