Researchers caution that up to half of all patients entering hospitals and other healthcare institutions suffer from malnutrition. This situation poses significant risks, ranging from increased discomfort and lower quality of life to mortality. Despite the potential benefits of providing essential nutrients to address these issues, experts argue that this critical aspect of care often goes overlooked.
“A significant number of patients are still not being identified as malnourished. The underdiagnosis and undertreatment of malnutrition persist as challenges in healthcare and eldercare, not just in Sweden but globally. Simple interventions can vastly improve the well-being of patients and older individuals,” explains Tommy Cederholm, a clinical nutrition professor at Uppsala University.
Cederholm, along with Ingvar Bosaeus, a consultant at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, collaborated on a review article on malnutrition published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine. Their work summarizes insights from the past 50 years, with a focus on recent advances, emphasizing the need for the healthcare sector to better leverage research findings and expertise.
Statistics suggest that 5 to 10 percent of older adults in Sweden are malnourished, a rate that can climb to 50 percent among patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or similar facilities. Historically, weight loss and malnutrition were often seen as natural consequences of illness or aging, perceived as inevitable. However, it is now understood that the primary cause often lies in an underlying disease hindering normal eating patterns, leading to organ and tissue breakdown.
Individuals affected by malnutrition may experience weight loss and muscle deterioration, impeding daily functioning. They are also prone to infections and a heightened need for care, potentially involving prolonged hospital stays and increased mortality rates.
Recent advancements have significantly expanded the understanding and management of malnutrition. The consensus among researchers and practitioners now includes established criteria for diagnosing malnutrition: weight loss, low body mass index, reduced muscle mass, and poor appetite, with or without an underlying medical condition.
Recent large-scale studies demonstrate that malnutrition can be reversed. Combined efforts involving counseling, dietitians, and nutritional supplementation can combat weight loss and decrease mortality rates.
“Despite being simple strategies, they are often overlooked. Except for patients in advanced stages of terminal illnesses like metastatic cancer, the majority can benefit from treatment. Sweden has made progress in this area, but there is room for improvement,” says Ingvar Bosaeus, a consultant at Sahlgrenska University Hospital.
The researchers suggest practical steps to alleviate suffering among the elderly population.
“Early identification of malnutrition risk factors, vigilance towards weight loss and appetite changes, early adoption of nutrient-rich foods, and timely nutritional interventions like specialized drinks are imperative. This knowledge should be an integral part of medical and nursing education at all levels,” emphasizes Tommy Cederholm.
