Body mass index is a poor predictor of malnutrition in hospitalized patients

Abstract

Objective: Comparison between Subjective Global Assessment and Body Mass Index to determine the nutritional status in patients admitted in an Internal Medicine Service.

Methods: Prospective, longitudinal,observational study of a population of 152 patients,using the Subjective Global Assessment and Body Mass Index. Plasma levels of albumin, functional capacity,weight and income conditions were determined. Statistics:methods of chi -square test for univariate analysis,non-parametric tests and logistic regression were used.

Results: 152 patients, of which 48.70 % had malnutrition, moderate malnutrition 34.2 % (group B) and 14.5 % severe malnutrition (group C ) were included.No association between Subjective Global Assessment and Body Mass Index was shown to determine nutritional status. Malnutrition was associated with age over 60 years, male sex, and diagnosis of oncologic and infectious diseases,as well as the level of functional ability.

Conclusions: Body Mass Index is not a suitable method to assess the impact of malnutrition in hospitalized patients compared with the Subjective Global Assessment.

Keywords: Body Mass Index,Subjective Global Assessment,malnutrition