Influence of nutritional status on hospital length of stay in patients with type 2 diabetes

Introduction: In the hospitalized patient, Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) may result in a worse nutritional status due to its pathophysiology and dietary treatment. Objectives: The aim of this study was to know if a hospitalized diabetic patient has a worse nutritional status, and to establish the influence of DM2 on the hospital length of stay in patients with malnutrition. Material and methods: This was a transveral study from January 2014 to October 2016; 1017 patients were included who were assessed by the Endocrinology and Nutrition Department. The data collected included anthropometry, plasma albumin, delay in performing the nutrition interconsultation and hospital length of stay. Nutritional status was evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assesment (MNA) questionnaire and the nutritional risk score (NRS). Results: 24.4% of the patients were diabetic and 75.6% were not. Diabetic patients had a higher body mass index (BMI) [23.18 (20.78-25.99) kg/m(2) vs. 22.31 (19.79-25.30) kg/m(2), P < .01], a lower total score in the MNA questionnaire [16.5(13.12-19) points vs. 17(14-20) points, P < .01], and a lower NRS score [83.09(77.72-91.12) points vs. 85.78(79.27-92.83) points, p = 0.03]. According to the MNA and the NRS, diabetic patients had an increased risk of malnutrition (< 17.5 points) [OR = 1.39, IC95%(1.04-1.86), p = 0.02]; and NRS (< 85 points) [OR = 1.65, IC95% (1.07-2.54) p = 0.02], respectively. When adjusted for age these significant results disappea-red. Diabetes combined with malnutrition showed that diabetic patients with malnutrition (MNA<17.5) spent longer in hospital [21(12-36) days vs. 17(9-30) days, P = .01]. Conclusions: Diabetic patients have a worse nutritional status than non-diabetic patients. Diabetic patients with a poor nutritional status spend a longer period in hospital. (C) 2020 SEEN y SED. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.