Context and Objective:The impact of existing malnutrition on stroke outcomes is poorly recognised and treated. Evidence was systematically reviewed and quantified by meta-analysis. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched from inception to 11 January 2021 and updated in July. Prospective cohort studies, in English, evaluating anthropometric and biomarkers of nutrition on stroke outcomes were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network checklist. Results: Twenty-six studies (n ¼ 156 249) were eligible (follow-up: One month-14 years). Underweight patients had increased risk of long-term mortality (adjusted hazard ratio ¼ 1.65,1.41-1.95), whilst overweight (0.80,0.74-0.86) and obese patients (0.80,0.75-0.85) had decreased risk compared to normal weight. Odds of mortality decreased in those with high serum albumin (odds ratio ¼ 0.29,0.18-0.48) and increased with low serum albumin (odds ratio ¼ 3.46,1.78-6.74) compared to normal serum albumin (30-35 g/ L). Being malnourished compared to well-nourished, as assessed by the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) or by a combination of anthropometric and biochemical markers increased all-cause mortality (odds ratio ¼ 2.38,1.85-3.06) and poor functional status (adjusted odds ratio ¼ 2.21,1.40-3.49). Conclusion: Nutritional status at the time of stroke predicts adverse stroke outcomes.

The following study aimed to systematically review and meta-analyse the literature on the relations between markers of nutritional status and long-term mortality, recurrence and all-cause hospital readmission following myocardial infarction (MI). Medline, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched for prospective cohort studies reporting the relationship between anthropometric and biochemical markers of nutritional status and nutritional assessment tools on long-term mortality, recurrence and all-cause hospital readmission in adult patients with an MI. Two reviewers conducted screening, data extraction and critical appraisal independently. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed. Twenty-seven studies were included in the qualitative synthesis and twenty-four in the meta-analysis. All eligible studies analysed BMI as their exposure of interest. Relative to normal weight, mortality was highest in underweight patients (adjusted Hazard Ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.42 (1.24–1.62)) and lower in both overweight (0.85 (0.76–0.94)) and obese patients (0.86 (0.81–0.91)), over a mean follow-up ranging from 6 months to 17 years. No statistically significant associations were identified between different BMI categories for the outcomes of recurrence and hospital readmission. Patients with low BMI carried a significant mortality risk post-MI; however due to the known limitations associated with BMI measurement, further evidence regarding the prognostic utility of other nutritional markers is required.