Blessie Marie Perez (Philippines)
University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital Department of MedicineAuthor of 1 Presentation
THE PREVALENCE OF MALNUTRITION AMONG ADULT PATIENTS WITH THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID 19) IN A TERTIARY GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL
Abstract
Background and Aims
As of October 2020, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID 19) has infected more than 368,000 people in the Philippines. Although no study has been done on malnutrition and COVID 19, it has long been associated with poor long-term outcomes. We aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of malnutrition among patients with COVID 19.
Methods
A cross-sectional study on COVID 19-confirmed patients admitted to the wards from July 15 to September 15, 2020. Nutritional status was assessed using the Philippine Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition modified Subjective Global Assessment Grade (SGA) tool. Chi-square test or Fisher exact test, as appropriate, was used to identify factors that have a significant association with malnutrition. Furthermore, logistic regression was done on factors with a significant association.
Results
Among the 355 patients in the study, 71.83% (255) were malnourished. Factors significantly associated with malnutrition: community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) [p-value < 0.001], hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) [p-value 0.002], and chronic kidney disease (p-value 0.033). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that age [OR 1.02, CI 95% 1.00, 1.04, p-value 0.027] and CAP-MR [OR 3.02, CI 95% 1.73, 5.27, p-value < 0.001] are significant predictors of malnutrition. All patients with CAP- High Risk and HAP were predicted perfectly to be malnourished.
Conclusions
The prevalence of malnutrition was high (71.83%) in a general cohort of COVID 19 patients using the modified SGA. Risk factors of malnutrition among patients with COVID 19: age, CAP, and HAP. Nutritional support and management of comorbidities are of paramount importance in the care of patients with COVID 19.