Work

Relationship of Malnutrition and Frailty on Prolonged Stay at the Hospital in Heart Failure Patients

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Nutritional status is a critical determinant of clinical outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), potentially contributing to adverse prognosis and suboptimal therapeutic response. Despite growing interest, the interplay between malnutrition and frailty syndrome (FS) in the CHF population remains inadequately elucidated. AIMS: The study aims to evaluate the association between malnutrition risk and the presence of FS in individuals hospitalized with CHF. METHODS: A total of 200 patients (mean age: 72.28 years) hospitalized due to CHF were enrolled. Data collection included retrospective analysis of medical records and application of validated instruments: the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) for nutritional evaluation and the Fried phenotype criteria for frailty assessment. RESULTS: Based on MNA, 63.5% of participants demonstrated normal nutritional status, 35.0% were at risk of malnutrition and 1.5% were malnourished (mean MNA score: 24.25). According to the Fried phenotype, 35% were classified as pre-frail and 65% as frail (mean frailty score: 2.67). A statistically significant association was identified between MNA score and frailty status (P < 0.05), with the highest prevalence of frailty observed in malnourished individuals (P = 0.002). No significant correlations were found between frailty and anthropometric parameters such as calf circumference (P = 0.17), arm circumference (P = 0.687) or body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.643). CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the clinical importance of routine, comprehensive nutritional screening in patients with CHF. Early identification and management of malnutrition may play a pivotal role in mitigating frailty and enhancing clinical outcomes in this high-risk population.

Source: ESC Heart Failure

DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.15390

Authors: Katarzyna Lomper, Maria Jędrzejczyk, Marta Wleklik, Izabella Uchmanowicz

Institutions: Wroclaw Medical University, Edinburgh Napier University

Language: English

Topic: Nutrition and Health in Aging

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,850