Abstract

Author(s): Jaimes Alpízar, Emigdio1,2,3; Zúñiga Torres, María Guadalupe4; Medina García, Ariana1; Reyes Barretero, Diana Yolanda2,3; Cruz Castillo, Andrea Bibiana2

Introduction: Malnutrition is a frequent cause of mortality and one of the principal health problems of the world. However, it is primarily reflected in hospitalized patients. The prevalence of malnutrition upon entry into the hospital affects approximately between 40 to 45 % of patients.

Objective: Determining nutritional risk by using the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) in hospitalized patients of the Hospital General Tejupilco of Health Institute of Mexico State (ISEM).

Material and methods: Descriptive observation and cross-study where patients were selected from ISEM, and they were administered the NRS 2002 and the nutritional riskof each patient was studied. The results were analyzed by using means of central tendency with the SPSS program, including bivariate analysis and correlations (Fischer, chi2 and t).

Results: The study found a prevalence of malnutrition of 40 .8% in the population and the majority was the female sex. The principal illnesses in which risk of malnutrition was found include inter-cranial trauma with 100% of patients, kidney failure with 82.4 % of patients and gastrointestinal bleeding with 70% of patients.

Discussion: The body mass index, age and diagnosis of income are statistically significant risk for nutritional factors.

Conclusions: Hospital malnutrition continues to be presented in our country, as this study indicates a high rate of presence. Early detection of nutritional risk is vital in hospitalized patients in order to deliver appropriate nutritional therapy to lower mortality rates.