Assessment of nutritional status in adult hospitalized patients

The nutritional status of 140 hospitalized Thai patients was assessed--incidence of protein-calorie malnutrition was over 60% for all tests done, including weight-height, triceps skinfold thickness, upper arm circumference, hair root morphology, and serum albumin level. There was an imbalanced loss of body tissue, indicating that the calorie deficiency was greater than protein deficiency. Anemia and vitamin deficiencies were present in some patients. The results indicate the need for intensive nutritional management to combat hospital malnutrition.