Is undernutrition risk associated with an adverse clinical outcome in spinal cord-injured patients admitted to a spinal centre?

Abstract

The present study suggests that undernutrition risk, as identified by the SNST, is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Nutritional screening should be helpful in improving clinical outcomes if it promotes more appropriate and effective nutritional intervention.

Nutritional blood parameters and nutritional risk screening in patients with spinal cord injury and deep pressure ulcer—a retrospective chart analysis

“…The inflammatory state influences the other laboratory parameters, especially in the judgment of the nutritional status [12]. The decreased albumin values in our population, as well as in others [19] might be an expression of malnutrition and/or metabolic stress according to the inflammatory status [8,[10][11][12]. We found a significant, low negative but weak correlation between CRP and albumin and therefore, both CRP and albumin add information in individual patients and help to understand their malnutrition and infection status.…”

“…The prevalence of malnutrition recorded by the Spinal Nutrition Screening Tool (SNST) in hospitalized patients with SCI was reported to be 45% and the length of hospital stay and morbidity were significantly higher in the group of malnourished patients. In this study, the serum albumin could even be used as a predictor for a longer hospitalization [8]. The relation between albumin, malnutrition, and morbidity risk is increasingly discussed also in the general acute care, but not finally clarified [9][10][11][12].…”

Feasibility and Acceptability of Implementing Indirect Calorimetry Into Routine Clinical Care of Patients With Spinal Cord Injury

“…23 This can interrupt SCI rehabilitation and increase length of hospital stay. 24 Excessive caloric intake leading to obesity is a recognized phenomenon following SCI 8,25 and has a negative impact on functional outcomes, 26 risk of rehospitalisation, 27 and pressure ulcer development. 28 Obese individuals with SCI require more nursing time and pose unique challenges for the health care team.…”

Review of dietetic service provision and activity in spinal cord injury centres: a multicentre survey in the UK and Republic of Ireland

“…11 The variation in staff levels could be due to each SCIC having its own unique needs and challenges and therefore comparisons do have limitations (especially over a small sample of centres). However the impact remains; recent literature suggests malnutrition, including both under-and over-nutrition (obesity) is common in patients with SCI and it is associated with poorer clinical outcomes and increased healthcare costs 17 . Recently, health commissioners' recognised the unique and important role of dietitians and support the inclusion of dietitians in the core multidisciplinary team for SCI care.…”