Malnutrition in patients with surgical pathology in general surgery Malnutrición en pacientes con patología quirúrgica en cirugía general Hospital de San José, marzo 2009 a agosto 2009

Abstract

Introduction: malnutrition is a serious morbid process caused by multiple clinical, social/economic factors. From the morbidity / mortality point of view, it contributes to clinical outcomes, a longer hospital stay, as well as to health care costs. There are many direct and indirect useful methods for early detection. The Subjegtive Global Assessment (SCA) is a simple and easy method to apply on hospitalized patients and is valid in clinical practice. Objective: to determine the frequency of malnutrition on surgical patients hospitalized at the General Surgery Department at Hospital de San José using the SGA method. Methods: a descriptive study was performed. Inclusion criteria were: hospitalized patients, =18 years old, with at least a S4-hour hospital stay at the General Surgery Department, who did not receive assistance by the nutrition support group, who completed the SGA method survey. Data analysis was made by 9TATA 10. Results: S81 cases were studied. The frequency of malnutrition was 47.S%, and 1S.8% were rated as severe. The mean age was 47 years. Seventy percent (70%) of malnourished patients had abdominal surgery. Hospital stay was longer in malnourished patients. Conclusion: S81 patients were analyzed during six months. The prevalence of malnutrition was 47.S%, which is high. However, this result is close to that reported in Latin American medical literature. Malnourishment resulting from increased catabolism was found mostly in post-operative patients.