Malnutrition 'affects 2 million in UK'

[Guest guest]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/medicine/story/0,11381,1082653,00.html

 

Malnutrition 'affects 2 million in UK'

 

Press Association

Tuesday November 11, 2003

 

Around 2 million Britons, including 60% of hospital patients, are malnourished,

according to a report published today.

The report, by the Malnutrition Advisory Group (MAG), suggested that £226m could

be saved each year if the condition, which it says is often undiagnosed, was

identified and properly treated.

Malnutrition affects the most vulnerable groups in the UK, including those with

chronic diseases, the elderly, those recently discharged from hospital, and poor

or socially isolated individuals.

Although there is no formal way of gauging the economic cost of malnutrition,

the MAG study estimated that, in terms of prolonged hospital stays and

treatment, the condition could be costing the NHS more than the annual £2bn

linked to obesity.

Researchers found that up to 40% of those admitted to hospital were underweight,

and that many patients would lose further weight while in hospital.

Up to 50% of patients in care or residential homes, up to 30% of patients

attending outpatient clinics and GP surgeries, and up to 14% of elderly people

not in hospital or care were either malnourished or at risk of malnourishment,

the study found.

Professor Marinos Elia, the chairman of MAG, said: " Research shows that

malnutrition is a serious public health issue in the UK, and that good

nutritional care can have a positive impact on health.

" It is therefore absolutely essential for us to radically improve nutritional

care provision. "

The study also highlighted the need to establish a nationally-recognised

malnutrition assessment method.

It used a new technique, called the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool

(MUST), to assess the extent of malnutrition among the adults surveyed.

A wide spectrum of more than 200 healthcare professionals field-tested the MUST

method. It uses a five-step flow-chart, collating information on a person's

current body mass index, weight loss over the last three to six months, and the

presence of acute disease that could prevent eating for more than five days.

A score is then calculated, indicating the individual's risk of malnutrition.

That can then be used as a guide for care, which could range from simple dietary

advice or referral for expert nutritional treatment.

MAG, which is a standing committee of national charity the British Association

for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, said that the tool was being supported by

the British Dietetic Association, as well as by organisations such as the Royal

College of Nursing and the Registered Nursing Homes Association.

Scotland was leading the way on malnutrition testing in the UK, MAG said, having

just made nutritional screening mandatory for all those admitted to hospital.

 

Special reports

Medicine and health

 

Useful links

Malnutrition Advisory Group

British Medical Association

Department of Health

General Medical Council

Health on the Net Foundation

Medical Research Council

NHS Direct

 

 

 

 

 

NEW WEB MESSAGE BOARDS - JOIN HERE.

Alternative Medicine Message Boards.Info

http://alternative-medicine-message-boards.info

 

 

 

Protect your identity with Mail AddressGuard