Continuity of care in disease-related malnutrition and nutritional medical treatment

Endocrinol Diabetes Nutr (Engl Ed). 2022 Dec;69(10):897-909. doi: 10.1016/j.endien.2022.11.013. Epub 2022 Nov 25.

Abstract

Disease-related malnutrition (DRM) continues to be a very significant healthcare problem, both in our hospitals and in the community. It is often not properly diagnosed or treated, despite a growing body of evidence highlighting its clinical and economic consequences. The transition between clinical care in the hospital and community services (Primary Care (PC) and Nursing Homes) is a key element in the prevention, detection and treatment of DRM. In October 2020, the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN) and the main societies of PC physicians in our country (SEMERGEN, SEMFYC and SEMG) met for the first time within the virtual NutriSEEN forum. From that moment on, a joint working group was created for this issue. This document tries to establish joint lines of work between the Clinical Nutrition and Dietetic Units (UNCyD) and the Primary Care teams to improve the detection and treatment of DRM. The clinical consequences and costs associated with DRE, nutritional risk screening, assessment and medical nutritional treatment are considered in a coordinated way between the PC teams and the UNCyD, as well as future proposals to improve the management of DRM.

Keywords: Continuidad asistencial; Continuity of care; Cribado; Desnutrición relacionada con la enfermedad; Disease-related malnutrition; Medical nutritional treatment; Riesgo de desnutrición; Risk of malnutrition; Screening; Tratamiento médico nutricional.

Publication types

  • Practice Guideline

MeSH terms

  • Continuity of Patient Care
  • Humans
  • Malnutrition* / complications
  • Malnutrition* / therapy
  • Nutritional Status
  • Prevalence