Prevalence and Severity of Malnutrition among Intensive Care Patients in a Government Tertiary Care Hospital in Swat
Malnutrition in Intensive Care Unit Patients
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54393/nrs.v5i1.137Keywords:
Malnutrition, Critically Ill Patients, Intensive Care Unit, Nutritional Risk, Clinical OutcomesAbstract
Malnutrition is a prevalent issue among critically ill patients in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), significantly impacting morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Objective: To assess the prevalence and severity of malnutrition among critically ill patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a government tertiary care hospital in Swat. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a government tertiary care hospital in Swat to assess the prevalence and severity of malnutrition among ICU patients. A sample of 80 ICU patients was selected using a non-probability convenience sampling technique, and data were collected using the Modified Nutrition Risk in Critically Ill (mNUTRIC) Score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) Score, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) Score. Results: The findings revealed that 71.3% of patients had multiple comorbidities, and 51.25% experienced severe organ dysfunction (SOFA score ≥8). Additionally, 37.5% of patients were at high nutritional risk (mNUTRIC score ≥5). Conclusions: The study demonstrated a significant association between malnutrition and adverse clinical outcomes, including prolonged ICU stays, increased severity of illness, and higher mortality risk. Comparisons with previous studies suggested that malnutrition prevalence among ICU patients in Swat is comparable to global trends. Addressing malnutrition through early identification and targeted nutritional interventions can improve patient recovery and reduce healthcare burdens. The study highlights the need for integrating standardized nutritional assessment protocols in ICU settings to enhance patient outcomes.
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