Assessment of nutritional status in patients using nutritional therapy enteral nutrition

Introduction and Objective: The hospital malnutrition is a reality in our midst, showing on the one hand, the nutritional profile of the population, and on the other hand, nutritional problems associated with pathological processes. The objective this study is evaluate the profile and the nutritional status of patients using nutritional therapy enteral nutrition. Methods: Analysis of secondary data from medical records of adult patients of both genders, in use of nutritional therapy enteral nutrition, for a period of three months. The evaluated variables were sex, age, admission diagnosis and comorbidity. Results: Half of the patients were female, with a mean age of 72 years. The majority was with nasogastric tube (84.92%), had as a comorbidity hypertension (45.79%) and presented as a reason for hospitalization respiratory diseases (38.93%). As for the nutritional status, the majority of patients was normal weight (53.04%), while the subjective evaluation global showed that a large proportion of patients was a moderately or suspected of being malnourished (59.85%). Discussion: Studies show a high rate of malnutrition in hospital environment and associated to a higher risk of morbidity and mortality. Conclusion: It is extremely important that we know the nutritional status of patients, thus to be able to intervene nutritionally, thereby reducing the mortality, morbidity, and the chances of complications, and improve the quality of life of patients.