Association of Nutritional Status with Outcome among Elderly Patients Admitted with Respiratory Diseases in a Critical Care Unit: A Cross-sectional Study
Introduction: Elderly population (>60 years) is fast growing segment of the population globally, leading to healthcare challenges for all the countries. Admissions to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to exacerbation of respiratory diseases together with co-morbidities and under nutrition result in p...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2025&volume=19&issue=8&page=OC44&issn=0973-709x&id=21407 |
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| Summary: | Introduction: Elderly population (>60 years) is fast growing segment of the population globally, leading to healthcare challenges for all the countries. Admissions to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to exacerbation of respiratory diseases together with co-morbidities and under nutrition result in prolong hospital stay and are usually associated with increased mortality
Aim: To assess clinicodemographic profile, disease pattern, and clinical outcome in elderly patients with respiratory diseases admitted in the ICU and to associate these parameters with their nutritional status.
Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted at Shri BM Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Center, a Tertiary Care Hospital’s ICU at Vijayapura, Karnataka, India, between September 2022 to August 2023. Total 100 elderly patients of either gender with respiratory emergencies admitted in ICU during the study period of one year were included in the study after obtaining the informed consent. Mini Nutritional Assessment short form (MNA-SF®) was used to assess nutritional status of the admitted patients and graded according to its scale. The Chi-square test was applied to test the association between the selected risk factors and mortality.
Results: The mean age of 100 elderly patients admitted in ICU with respiratory diseases was found to be 69.11±7.82 years. There were 53% males and 47% females. Majority (74%) of patients fell in the age group of 60-74 years (young-old), 65% were on mixed diet with 52% elderly patients reported a normal appetite. Among the study population, 17% of the patients were under nourished and 40% were at the risk of under nutrition. Based upon MNA-SF® score, 71% of patients in malnourished group, 35% of patients at risk of malnutrition and 14% with normal nutritional status required mechanical ventilation (p-0.0018). Considering patient’s outcome, 35% of patients died in malnourished group whereas mortality was 2% in well-nourished group (p<0.0001).
Conclusion: Under nourished elderly patients face heightened risks of mortality and morbidity, because malnutrition can exacerbate existing conditions like chronic lung diseases, lung cancers, sepsis, trauma, and cardio-respiratory dysfunction. Assessing malnutrition through systematic nutritional screening is crucial as it allows healthcare providers to identify patients at risk. |
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| ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |