Prevalence of Malnutrition and Use of Nutritional Care Therapy in Rehabilitation Inpatients

Background: Malnutrition is a common and major clinical health problem amongst rehabilitation patients; nevertheless it often remains unrecognized and not treated. Objective: The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of malnutrition in patients in rehabilitation and to describe nutritional care therapy provision in a Greek Public sub acute rehabilitation unit. Methodology: 30 patients who were treated in the rehabilitation unit of the General Hospital of Attica KAT were studied. Patients were given an ad hoc questionnaire to complete which was based on ESPEN's Nutrition day questionnaire. At the same time, anthropometric data (weight, height) were collected. The MUST tool was used to determine malnutrition and the risk of malnutrition in each patient. Results: 30 patients participated in the study (73.3% men) with a mean age of 54 (± 17.3) years and BMI 25.4 (± 4.1). Based on MUST tool, 33,33% of participants were malnourished, and 6,67% at increased risk of malnutrition. Amongst all participants 11,5% were served a fortified menu and none was offered ONS. A considerable number of rehabilitation patients ate half, little (1/4) or nothing from the hospital food offered (30% for breakfast, 33,3% for lunch and dinner). 13,3% of patients had pressure ulcers. Presence of pressure ulcers was correlated with self-feeding ability Pearson correlation-0,413 (