Lower mortality and moderate improvement in nutritional status were found in patients receiving individualized nutritional treatment during and after acute hospitalization.

Background: Undernutrition among older people is a continuing source of concern, particularly among acutely hospitalized patients. The purpose of the current study is to compare malnourished elderly patients with those at nutritional risk and identify factors contributing to the variability between the groups.

Nutritional risk is associated with depression in aged inpatients. Close case management of the elderly hospitalized patients that include assessment and treatment for both disorders may be beneficial.

Risk of under-nutrition is prevalent among older in-patients and is gender-related. Female inpatients are at markedly increased risk for under-nutrition. The mechanism of the gender discrepancy in factors related to nutritional deterioration is complex and poorly understood.