Prevalence and severity of malnutrition in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Abstract

Background & aims Nutritional knowledge in patients with SARS-Cov2 infection (COVID-19) is limited. Our objectives were: i) to assess malnutrition in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, ii) to investigate the links between malnutrition and disease severity at admission, iii) to study the impact of malnutrition on clinical outcomes such as transfer to an intensive care unit (ICU) or death. Methods Consecutive patients hospitalized in a medicine ward at a university hospital were included from March 21st to April 24th 2020 (n = 114, 60.5% males, age: 59.9 ± 15.9 years). Nutritional status was defined using Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. Clinical, radiological and biological characteristics of COVID-19 patients were compared according to the presence of malnutrition. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between nutritional parameters and unfavourable outcomes such as transfer to intensive care unit (ICU) or death. Results The overall prevalence of malnutrition was 42.1% (moderate: 23.7%, severe: 18.4%). The prevalence of malnutrition reached 66.7% in patients admitted from ICU. No significant association was found between nutritional status and clinical signs of COVID-19. Lower albumin levels were associated with a higher risk of transfer to ICU (for 10 g/l of albumin, OR [95%CI]: 0.31 [0.1; 0.7]; p < 0.01) and this association was independent of age and CRP levels. Conclusions COVID-19 in medical units dedicated to non-intensive care is associated with a high prevalence of malnutrition, especially for patients transferred from ICU. These data emphasize the importance of early nutritional screening in these patients to adapt management accordingly.

Weight loss, malnutrition, and cachexia in COVID‐19: facts and numbers

“…They found that 42% of hospitalized patients with COVID‐19 were at risk of malnutrition and 28% of these patients were considered malnourished at the time of assessment 5,6 . Another study in 114 consecutive, hospitalized COVID‐19 patients found similar results using the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria with 42% (48/114 patients) being malnourished 7 …”

“…Secondly, malnutrition is frequently seen in COVID‐19 patients 5‐7 . Disease‐associated reductions in food intake and malnutrition can contribute to tissue wasting.…”

COVID-19 im Alter – Die geriatrische Perspektive

“…Abhängig vom verwendeten Screening-Instrument liegt die Prävalenz der Mangelernährung bei etwa 50 % [ 66 ]. Bei Anwendung der neuen Diagnosekriterien der Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) ist bei 42–50 % der COVID-19-Patienten eine Malnutrition zu diagnostizieren [ 3 , 50 ]. In einer italienischen Studie verloren 29 % der COVID-19-Patienten während des Krankheitsverlaufs mehr als 5 % ihres Körpergewichts [ 12 ].…”

Good nutrition critical to prevent Covid 19 mortality

“…Bedock reported that 42.4% of 114 French hospitalized Covid 19 patients were malnourished. 2 Wei reported that 86.2% of 348 Hospitalized Chinese Covid 19 patients were malnourished (39.9 % moderate to severe malnutrition, 46.3% mild malnutrition). 3 …”