Nutritional risk markers among stroke out-patients at the neurology clinic of a teaching hospital in Ghana

Abstract

Introduction stroke survivors are at risk of malnutrition due to inadequate dietary intake, as a result of neurological disorders causing dysphagia, depression and impaired ability to self-feed. There is paucity of information on nutritional status of stroke survivors after discharge from hospital care, hence, this study sought to determine the nutritional risk markers among stroke out-patients at the Neurology Clinic of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. Methods a cross-sectional study was conducted among 106 stroke survivors at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. Nutritional status of stroke survivors was assessed, using body mass index (BMI) and mid upper arm circumference (MUAC). Biochemical and haematological nutrition indicators including total serum protein, serum albumin, total lymphocyte count, uric acid and haemoglobin were also determined. Independent t-test and ANOVA were used to test differences between mean values. Results the mean age of study participants was 58.47±14.2 years, with 56% being females. Overall, 96 (88.7%) of the participants had malnutrition, of whom 66 (68.8%) were undernourished, while 30 (31.2%) had overnutrition. It was also found that 38.7% of the participants were anaemic, based on haemoglobin levels. Using mean BMI, stroke survivors who had been discharged over five years were significantly overweight (p = 0.010). Conclusion there was high level of malnutrition among stroke out-patients in this study. The most common nutrition-related problem in the stroke survivors studied was anaemia. Findings from this study suggest the need for nutrition intervention strategies to address the high burden of malnutrition among the stroke survivors.

High total bilirubin‐to‐uric acid ratio predicts poor sleep quality after acute ischemic stroke: a prospective nested case–control study

“…19 One possible explanation is that, as UA has been found useful as a biochemical indicator to determine the nutritional status of stroke survivors, AIS patients may be at risk of malnutrition due to decreased UA caused by dysphagia and impaired self-eating ability. 36 This is because dietary factors can affect serum levels by providing purines as precursors of uric acid, affecting nucleotide conversion, or affecting its excretion. 37 Moreover, as the antioxidant capacity of UA has been established, 38 a low UA level reflects insufficient ability to resist oxidative stress.…”

Long-term prognostic significance of sarcopenia in acute ischemic stroke

“…The lack of raw materials for the formation of skeletal muscle will not only affect the degree of functional recovery but also affect the expression of plasticity genes in the brain recovery mechanism after stroke. [19,20] Yoshimura et al [21] found that lower Hb was closely related to the severity of sarcopenia, recovery of physical function, and swallowing function in the rehabilitation cohort after stroke. The European Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition [22] proposed a professional consensus that malnutrition is widely involved in the pathogenesis of nervous system diseases.…”

Advances in the beneficial effects of nutrition on stroke-related Sarcopenia: A narrative review

“…[18] Malnutrition is common in stroke patients, and its causes are directly related to neurological diseases, such as cognitive and consciousness disorders, www.md-journal.com neurogenic vomiting, neurogenic dysphagia, depression, motor disorders and gastrointestinal dysfunction. [19,20] Older adults, including those after stroke, often suffer from malnutrition, which has a negative impact on their physical function, strength and the independence of their daily life. [21] Changes in nutritional status of stroke patients, such as insufficient intake and excessive nutritional consumption, will lead to a decrease in muscle synthesis and promote the occurrence of sarcopenia.…”