SUAREZ LLANOS, José Pablo et al. Introducing a mixed nutritional screening tool (CIPA) in a tertiary hospital. []. , 29, 5, pp.1149-1153. ISSN 1699-5198.  https://dx.doi.org/10.3305/nh.2014.29.5.7299.

Introduction: Malnourishment in hospitalized patients is very prevalent and therefore it is important to implement screening methods. A mixed nutritional screening method (CIPA) has been developed at our center; this method includes four parameters: a) control of intakes for 72 h; b) BMI; c) proteins; and d) albumin. Objectives: 1) To know the prevalence of malnourishment at the Internal Medicine Department of our Center; 2) To analyze the variables associated to higher prevalence of malnourishment. Materials and method: The results of the nutritional screening tests carried out in 305 patients admitted to the Internal Medicine Department in the period of November of 2012-October of 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. The prevalence of hospital malnourishment was analyzed, as well as the association of a positive screening test (at least one positive item) with the following variables: BMI, age, gender, underlying disease, hospital staying, early re-admittance (< 1 month) and hospital mortality. Results: The test yielded a positive result in 23% of the patients. Patients with a positive screening test had lower BMI (24.9 ± 7.2 vs. 27.8 ± 6.4 kg/m; p = 0.002). Neoplastic and infectious pathologies were associated with greater positivity (35.3 and 28.9%, respectively; p = 0.006). Gender and age were not associated with a positive screening test. Patients with a positive screening test had longer mean hospital staying (26.7 ± 25 vs. 19.4 ± 16.5; p = 0.005), higher early re-admittance rates (18.6 vs. 6.8%; p = 0.003) and higher mortality (30 vs. 10.3%; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The CIPA screening test can detect malnourished patients and predict worse clinical prognosis (mortality, mean hospital staying and early readmittance).

: Nutritional assessment; Malnourishment; Hospitalization; Nutritional support; Prognosis.

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