OBJECTIVES : Despite the large amount of evidence accumulated over decades demonstrating the clinical and economic impact of hospital malnutrition, it remains a significant problem frequently under-recognized and under-treated. Depending on the definition used, the prevalence of hospital malnutrition is reported to range between 20% and up to 50%. In some populations, such as among elderly patients this rate is even higher. The aim of this study was to calculate the overall prevalence of hospital malnutrition in Latin America using meta-analytic techniques.

METHODS

: We used data from a recent extensive systematic review by Correia et al published in 2017 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2016.06.025). Overall malnutrition prevalence estimates were calculated using random-effects models. We analyzed separately medical, surgical and older adult patients

RESULTS : Pooled the overall prevalence of disease related malnutrition among medical, surgical and older adult patients in Latin America were 41,2% (95% CI: 34,6%-47,8%, I²=98,4%), 34,6% (95% CI: 27,1%-42,1%, I²=50,3%) and 48,4% (95% CI: 37,6%-59,3%, I²=48,4%), respectively. Most studies of the systematic review were Brazilian and the prevalence of disease related malnutrition among medical, surgical and older adult patients in Brazil were 37,2% (95% CI: 26,3%-48,2%, I²=98,9%), 28,9% (95% CI: 21,8%-36,1%, I²=60,7%) and 48,3% (95% CI: 34,1%-62,5%, I²=92,9%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

: Despite significant heterogeneity between studies, probably due to differences in study populations, ascertainment methods, hospital setting and methodological issues these data show that, overall, the pooled prevalence of disease related malnutrition in Latin America and in particular in Brazil is high among medical, surgical and older adult patients. Due to the negative consequences of disease related malnutrition, detection and treatment should be a priority among hospitalized patients and this action is likely to reduce the health and economic burden of hospital malnutrition.