Malnutrition: Percentage and Association with Prognosis in Patients Hospitalized for Coronavirus Disease 2019

Nutrients. 2020 Nov 28;12(12):3679. doi: 10.3390/nu12123679.

Abstract

Previous studies have found a correlation between malnutrition and prognosis in respiratory infections. Our objectives were to determine (i) the percentage of malnutrition, and (ii) its prognosis in patients admitted for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this monocentric retrospective study, we consecutively included all adult patients presenting with acute COVID-19 between 9 April and 29 May 2020. Malnutrition was diagnosed on low body mass index (BMI) and weight loss ≥ 5% in the previous month and/or ≥10% in the previous six months. The Nutritional Risk Index (NRI) defined nutritional risk. Severe COVID-19 was defined as a need for nasal oxygen ≥ 6 L/min. We enrolled 108 patients (64 men, 62 ± 16 years, BMI 28.8 ± 6.2 kg/m2), including 34 (31.5%) with severe COVID-19. Malnutrition was found in 42 (38.9%) patients, and moderate or severe nutritional risk in 83 (84.7%) patients. Malnutrition was not associated with COVID-19 severity. Nutritional risk was associated with severe COVID-19 (p < 0.01; p < 0.01 after adjustment for C reactive protein), as were lower plasma proteins, albumin, prealbumin, and zinc levels (p < 0.01). The main cause of malnutrition was inflammation. The high percentage of malnutrition and the association between nutritional risk and COVID-19 prognosis supports international guidelines advising regular screening and nutritional support when necessary.

Keywords: COVID-19; malnutrition; nutritional risk; prognosis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Body Mass Index
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis
  • COVID-19 / therapy*
  • Female
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Hospitalization*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / blood
  • Inflammation / complications
  • Male
  • Malnutrition / blood
  • Malnutrition / epidemiology
  • Malnutrition / etiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Nutrition Assessment
  • Nutritional Status*
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / complications
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Viral* / virology
  • Prevalence
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Severity of Illness Index*
  • Weight Loss

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