• M A Martínez Olmos, M J Martínez Vázquez, E Martínez-Puga López, V del Campo Pérez, and Collaborative Group for the Study of Hospital Malnutrition in Galicia (Spain).
• Endocrinología y Nutrición, Hospital do Meixoeiro, Cno Meixoeiro S/N, Vigo (Pontevedra), Spain. miguel.angel.martinez.olmos@sergas.es
• Eur J Clin Nutr. 2005 Aug 1; 59 (8): 938-46.

ObjectiveTo know the prevalence of malnutrition and to validate a nutritional screening protocol (SP) in patients hospitalised in Hospitals representative of inpatients admitted for acute illnesses in Galicia.DesignCross-sectional study of 376 randomised patients (189 female, 210 > or =65 y old) from 12 public hospitals admitted to hospital for acute medical, surgical or trauma illnesses. The patients elicited were evaluated by a simple SP, including variables relative to recent weight changes, serum albumin, lymphocytes, food ingestion and diagnosis at admission (Cardona's Protocol), and with a diagnostic protocol (DP, Subjective Global Assessment). Both SP and DP were performed by personnel trained in nutritional evaluation. Results of SP and DP were compared; principal factors related to malnutrition were also analysed; statistical significance was considered at P<0.05.ResultsFrom patients studied, according to DP 169/360 (46.94%), patients presented malnutrition (134 B category and 35C category). SP rate was significantly related to severity of malnutrition detected by DP (P<0.001). The principal factors related to the presence of malnutrition were older age and degree of metabolic stress.ConclusionsIn adult patients admitted for acute illnesses, the prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition is high. The risk was related to age and to metabolic stress. The risk of malnutrition in a hospital setting is evaluated appropriately by a simple screening procedure that may contribute to detecting and correcting malnutrition risk.

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