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Incidence of malnutrition in hospitalized patients with a chronic wound
Gayle Gordillo, Meredith Collins, Melissa Kinder
Ohio State University
2010-03-31
Presenter: Melissa Kinder
Affidavit:
Director Name:
Author Category: Resident/Fellow
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: General Reconstruction
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of malnutrition in hospitalized patients with chronic wounds due to pressure ulcers, venous stasis ulcers or diabetic foot ulcers and increase awareness regarding the incidence of this co-morbid condition. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on consults (n=202) seen by the inpatient wound management team at our institution in 2006. Data elements collected included pre-albumin, albumin, age, gender, diabetes status, hemoglobin A1c levels and BMI. Results: The mean (+/- SD) age was 55.2 +/-15.5 years and 64% were male. Nutritional assessment was determined using pre-albumin levels and albumin levels. For patients with albumin was measurements (n=179), 91.6% had an albumin less than 3.5 g/dL (normal = 3.4 to 4.8 g/dL ) and 64.4% had an albumin less than 2.5 g/dL . When pre-albumin was measured (n=140), 70.7% of patients had a pre-albumin „T16 mg/dL (normal = 17 to 39 mg/dL); 35.7% had a pre-albumin less than 10 mg/dL. The mean BMI of those encounters where the albumin was less than 3.5 g/dL was 30 +/- 13. The mean BMI when pre-albumin was less than 10 mg/dL was 30 +/- 11. Diabetes was present in 56% (n=114) of the patients with a mean hemoglobin A1C was 7.5% +/- 2.1%. Conclusion: There is a significant incidence of protein deficiency in patients hospitalized with chronic wounds is and independent of BMI. The high percentage of patients with low albumin levels indicates that the protein deficiency is chronic and longstanding.
