Disease-related malnutrition (DRM) among hospitalized patients negatively affects the clinical outcomes. A study evaluated the prevalence of unintentional weight loss (UWL) and reduced food intake (RFI) as contributors to the risk of DRM in outpatients. Investigators also assessed if UWL can be used as initial screening for DRM, based on the correlation between UWL and RFI. This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study.

Outpatients visiting the Medical and Surgery Gastroenterology clinics at a university hospital in Denmark during 1 week in September, 2018 participated in the study. Data regarding UWL within the past 3 months, RFI in the past week, and nutritional impact symptoms (NIS) were obtained.

In all, 346 patients were included in the study, 170 at the medical clinic and 176 at the surgery clinic. UWL was noted in 26%, with a mean weight loss of 7.1 kg (standard deviation [SD] 5.2). About 24% had RFI. There was a significantly increased risk of UWL among patients with body mass index <18.5 kg/m2 (odds ratio 6.1; confidence interval 2.0-18.7; P = 0.003). NIS were more commonly observed in the medical clinic. The key self-reported reasons for NIS affecting UWL included lack of appetite (15% versus 12%), pain (14% versus 8%), and nausea (12% versus 3%).

It was concluded that one in four outpatients experienced UWL to an extent that could exert a significant negative impact on clinical outcome. There was a strong correlation between UWL and RFI. Investigators thus deduced that UWL could serve as an initial screening for protein-energy malnutrition in the medical and surgery gastroenterology outpatient settings.

Source: Holm MO, Mikkelsen S, Zacher N, et al. High risk of disease-related malnutrition in gastroenterology outpatients. Nutrition. 2020 Feb 11;75-76:110747.