Factors Associated with Significant Weight Loss in Hospitalised Patients with COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study in a Large Teaching Hospital.
Nutrients 2022 ; 14: .
Zannidi D, Patel PS, Leventea E, Paciepnik J, Dobson F, Heyes C, Goudie RJB, Griep LMO, Preller J, Spillman LN
DOI : 10.3390/nu14194195
PubMed ID : 36235847
PMCID : PMC9572292
URL : https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/19/4195
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) is associated with malnutrition risk in hospitalised individuals. COVID-19 and malnutrition studies in large European cohorts are limited, and post-discharge dietary characteristics are understudied. This study aimed to assess the rates of and risk factors for ≥10% weight loss in inpatients with COVID-19, and the need for post-discharge dietetic support and the General Practitioner (GP) prescription of oral nutritional supplements, during the first COVID-19 wave in a large teaching hospital in the UK. Hospitalised adult patients admitted between March and June 2020 with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis were included in this retrospective cohort study. Demographic, anthropometric, clinical, biochemical, and nutritional parameters associated with ≥10% weight loss and post-discharge characteristics were described. Logistic regression models were used to identify risk factors for ≥10% weight loss and post-discharge requirements for ongoing dietetic input and oral nutritional supplement prescription. From the total 288 patients analysed (40% females, 72 years median age), 19% lost ≥ 10% of their admission weight. The length of hospital stay was a significant risk factor for ≥10% weight loss in multivariable analysis (OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.08-1.38; = 0.001). In addition, ≥10% weight loss was positively associated with higher admission weight and malnutrition screening scores, dysphagia, ICU admission, and artificial nutrition needs. The need for more than one dietetic input after discharge was associated with older age and ≥10% weight loss during admission. A large proportion of patients admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 experienced significant weight loss during admission. Longer hospital stay is a risk factor for ≥10% weight loss, independent of disease severity, reinforcing the importance of repeated malnutrition screening and timely referral to dietetics.
Lay Summary
Previous research has shown that people hospitalised with COVID-19 are at risk of weight loss and malnutrition. This study looked at patients who experienced weight loss of 10% or more during their hospital admission to Cambridge University Hospitals NHS with COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic. Weight loss of 10% or more is considered a large amount to lose as it increases the chance of someone becoming more poorly and not surviving. Therefore, preventing weight loss may help patients to survive and recover. The study looked at risk factors for weight loss to help better recognise the patients that need more support to prevent weight loss. Out of 288 patients, 52 lost 10% or more of their body weight during hospital admission with COVID-19, this was 19% of the group. Being more unwell, having a neurological condition, swallowing difficulties, needing to be seen by a speech and language therapist, weighing more at hospital admission, needing extra support with nutrition, and more dietitian support were all linked with weight loss of 10% or more. The length of time in hospital was also linked to weight loss and this connection remained after taking into account all of these other linked factors, patient age and gender. This study shows that it is important to check for these risk factors for weight loss when patients with COVID-19 are admitted to hospital and repeat this check regularly whilst they are in hospital so that support to prevent weight loss and malnutrition can be provided during hospital stay.