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DIETETIC MANAGEMENT OF MALNUTRITION IN A HEALTHCARE SETTING: A SIX MONTH PRAGMATIC RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL WITH A 24 MONTH FOLLOW-UP

M. Milosavljevic, S. Bowden, A. Ferguson, L. Barone, S. Mason, L. Tapsell, G. Noble

J Aging Res Clin Practice 2016;5(4):175-180

Background: This study explored approaches to long term dietetic management of disease related malnutrition, a growing problem across hospitals in the industrialised world. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two current models of dietetic care for patients with Disease Related Malnutrition. Design: A six month pragmatic randomised controlled trial was conducted with a 24 month follow up. Setting: All patients referred to the dietitian from two general medical and two surgical wards at a major public regional referral centre who met the inclusion criteria were invited to participate. This included being identified on admission as “at risk” of malnutrition or malnourished. Participants: Dietitians attended to 1222 patients during the recruitment period. From 320 eligible participants, 241 (78%) were recruited; of these only 85 (27%) completed the study. Intervention: It compared extended community–based dietetic management with the more traditional short-term hospital care alone. Measurements: A series of variables were recorded at enrolment, six months and then a follow up at 24 months. These included: nutritional assessment, level of satisfaction with the dietetic service, bed day utilisation, readmission and mortality rates. Results: An intention to treat analysis showed both groups had a significant improvement in nutritional status at six months and this was maintained at 24 months. When patients received an extended community care dietetic service they were significantly more satisfied with the dietetic service than those who did not receive the service (P<0.001). Conclusion: The current standard dietetic care of patients admitted to our institution led to significant improvements in their nutritional status at six months and two years from initial contact. The patient’s level of satisfaction with the dietetic service was high when they were seen in the community.

CITATION:
M. Milosavljevic ; S. Bowden ; A. Ferguson ; L. Barone ; S. Mason ; L. Tapsell ; G. Noble (2016): Dietetic management of malnutrition in a healthcare setting: a six month pragmatic randomised controlled trial with a 24 month follow-up. The Journal of Aging Research and Clinical Practice (JARCP). http://dx.doi.org/10.14283/jarcp.2016.119

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