Author(s): Swetha A, Shashidhar Pulgam and Shri Rajeshvari V

Abstract: Background: Malnutrition greatly influences outcomes in critically ill individuals. This study aimed to determine whether traditional bedside anthropometric measurements can effectively identify nutritional deficits and predict clinical outcomes in patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Materials and Methods: After receiving institutional approval, 147 consenting participants were included in the study. Clinical measurements like height, weight, triceps skinfold thickness (TSF) and mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) were recorded. Based on the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS) tool and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), patients were categorized as normal or mildly, moderately, severely malnourished. Data analysis were performed using IBM SPSS software (version 21). Results: According to NRS, 6.8% of the patients were classified as well nourished, 31.3% as mild malnourished, 53.1% as moderately malnourished and 8.8% as severely malnourished. Similarly, according to SGA, 22.4% of the patients were classified as well nourished, 29.9% as mild malnourished, 38.1% as moderately malnourished and 9.5% as severely malnourished. A thorough evaluation of ICU patients showed notable declines in body weight, BMI, mid-upper arm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, mid-arm muscle circumference and calf circumference during their stay. These anthropometric measurements demonstrated a clear correlation with the subjective global assessment (SGA). Conclusion: Estimating nutrition status is important and assessment of muscle mass plays a significant role in critically ill patients and this can be done at bedside at any setup with classic anthropometrics.

DOI: 10.33545/27077012.2025.v6.i2b.339

Pages: 103-108 | Views: 130 | Downloads: 52

Download Full Article: Click Here