Malnutrition Diagnosis and Food Consumption in Subacute Post-Stroke Patients During Rehabilitation.

backgroundStroke survivors frequently encounter malnutrition, adversely impacting clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, malnutrition and food consumption in post-stroke patients have not been frequently assessed, and their correlation with rehabilitation outcomes remains inadequately explored. The objective of this observational study was to evaluate malnutrition at admission in these patients, assess food consumption during a six-week rehabilitation program, and analyze their correlation with rehabilitation outcomes.

methodsSubacute post-stroke patients were evaluated at admission (T0) and after a six-week rehabilitation treatment (T1). At T0, we assessed clinical and demographic characteristics, and we diagnosed malnutrition according to the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. Weight, BMI, hematochemical parameters, and activities of daily living with the modified Barthel Index (mBI) were evaluated at both T0 and T1; recovery was registered as a change in the mBI (ΔmBI = mBIT1 - mBIT0). Patients' food consumption was recorded through visual plate waste estimation of three meals a day, 5 days a week, for six weeks of hospitalization for rehabilitation.

resultsA total of 109 patients completed the study (51 women, mean age 69 ± 11). According to the GLIM criteria, 105 of these patients were at risk of malnutrition, while 43 were malnourished, with 15 severely malnourished. Malnourished patients wasted more food, with respect to non-malnourished patients, as measured by visual plate waste of total meals (25 ± 17% vs. 15 ± 14%;

conclusionsMalnutrition assessed with the GLIM criteria at admission and food consumption are two important nutritional parameters to evaluate in post-stroke patients hospitalized for rehabilitation due to their association with recovery.