Outcomes of older and younger malnourished and well-nourished patients one year after hospitalization

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between malnutrition and later health status in old and young patients after hospitalization. Men were evaluated by nine criteria of malnutrition and classified as older (age 65 and older) and younger (younger than 65). About 32% of the younger and 45% of the older men were malnourished. At base-line, malnourished patients had more diagnoses (p less than 0.01) and depressed lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin (p less than 0.05). Older malnourished patients also had more depressed chemotaxis results (p less than 0.05). One year later, the malnourished patients still had more markers of malnutrition (p less than 0.001), more diagnostic problems (particularly infections) during the follow-up (p less than 0.01), and depressed lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin (p less than 0.05) and increased IgA levels (p less than 0.01). The only deaths (n = 4) occurred among the malnourished older men. Alcoholism in the malnourished young men may have contributed to their continued or recurrent status of protein energy malnutrition. The malnourished old patients could have had less recuperative powers and continued poorer diets. The study suggests malnourished hospitalized patients are at high risk for long-term health problems probably through continued or reoccurring episodes of malnutrition.