Whole-process nutritional management and medical resource utilization in hospitalized elderly patients with multimorbidity
10.3969/j.issn.1006-2483.2026.04.016
- VernacularTitle:老年共病住院患者营养管理全流程与医疗资源配置分析
- Author:
Jiaxin YU
1
;
Yiling LI
1
;
Xinyu ZHANG
1
;
Huan ZHU
2
;
Wen HU
1
;
Zhiyong RAO
1
Author Information
1. Department of Clinical Nutrition, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
2. Geriatric Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Multimorbidity;
Nutritional risk screening;
Medical nutrition therapy;
Hospitalization costs
- From:
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine
2026;37(4):76-80
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To describe the clinical characteristics and nutritional management status of hospitalized elderly patients with multimorbidity in a tertiary hospital's geriatric center in 2024, and to analyze the correlation between nutritional status and hospitalization outcomes, thereby providing a basis for optimizing nutritional management pathways for this population. Methods A retrospective study was conducted, including 2 937 elderly patients with multimorbidity. Data on general information, clinical indicators, nutritional risk screening and assessment, nutritional therapy, and costs were collected for descriptive analysis. The relationship between nutritional status (based on BMI and serum albumin levels) and hospitalization outcomes was explored. Results The average age of the patients was (77.45±10.70) years, with 57.17% being male. The average number of chronic diseases diagnosed was (11.56±5.08) per patient, and 26.01% were critically ill. The nutritional risk screening rate was 80.40%, with a screening positivity rate of 33.44%. The nutritional assessment rate was 31.63%, and the malnutrition prevalence was 23.08%. The low BMI group had the longest median hospital stay [15 (9.75, 22) days] and the highest hospitalization costs [15 057.2 (8 980.48, 28 160.46) CNY]. Serum albumin levels were negatively correlated with hospital stay duration (rs=-0.276, P< 0.01) and hospitalization costs (rs=-0.276, P<0.01). Conclusion Hospitalized elderly patients with multimorbidity are characterized by multiple comorbidities and high healthcare resource consumption. While the nutritional risk screening rate is relatively high, there remains room for improvement in nutritional assessment and therapy. It is necessary to strengthen standardized management throughout the entire process. Nutritional status is a significant variable affecting hospital stay duration and costs, with poorer nutritional status significantly associated with prolonged hospitalization and higher costs, suggesting that it may be an important factor influencing hospitalization outcomes.
