A correlation of disease severity and outcome with malnutrition status in adults with COVID-19

Authors

  • Priyadharshini Krishnaswamy Department of General Medicine, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
  • Ashok M. L. Department of General Medicine, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3933.ijam20220424

Keywords:

COVID-19, Malnutrition, Nutrition, CONUT score, Disease severity, Outcome

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathology increases catabolism and depletes the protein stores, causing malnutrition. However, nutrition assessment in COVID-19 is often overlooked in the current pandemic. The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is a validated score to assess nutritional status in hospitalized patients. The objective of the study was to estimate malnutrition among hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19 using the - The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score and study its effect on the disease severity and outcomes.

Methods: The study was a retrospective study on 146 patients with COVID-19. The history, demographic details were noted and the following parameters were noted at baseline and time of outcome- COVID-19 disease severity, radiological severity, CONUT score, inflammatory markers- serum LDH, CRP, Ferritin, D-Dimer. The outcome parameters- mortality, duration of hospital stay and severity of disease at outcome were measured.

Results: Out of the 146 patients, 84 (57.53%) were male and 62 (42.47%) were female. 97.26% patients had malnutrition at baseline with 42 (28.77%) mild, 70 (47.95%) moderate and 30 (20.55%) severe malnutrition based on CONUT score. The CONUT scores were greater at outcome compared to baseline (p<0.001). Higher grades of malnutrition were associated with greater baseline and outcome disease severity (p<0.001), radiological severity (p<0.001), higher levels of inflammatory markers (p<0.001) and a higher mortality (p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in duration of hospital stay (p=0.67).

Conclusions: Malnutrition results in worse outcomes and greater mortality in COVID-19. Individual tailored nutritional support in the hospitalized COVID-19 patients, can thus potentially improve outcomes.

Author Biographies

Priyadharshini Krishnaswamy, Department of General Medicine, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

POSTGRADUATE, DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL MEDICINE

Ashok M. L., Department of General Medicine, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL MEDICINE

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Published

2022-02-23

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Original Research Articles