Older Hospital Patients and Malnutrition: Whats the Risk?

Ever wondered how malnutrition affects older folks in hospitals? Well, a recent study took a close look at this very topic. The researchers were curious to see if being at risk of malnutrition could up the chances of going back to the hospital or even worse, dying. They also wanted to know if age, gender, other health issues, or certain conditions that can be treated outside of the hospital had any impact on these risks. To find out, the team tracked a group of older hospital patients. They kept an eye on who was at risk of malnutrition and who wasn't. They also noted down details like age, gender, other health problems, and if they had conditions that could be managed outside of the hospital. Turns out, being at risk of malnutrition did increase the chances of going back to the hospital or passing away. And guess what? Age, gender, and other health issues didn't seem to change these risks much. But here's where it gets interesting - those with conditions that can be treated outside of the hospital had a higher risk of both outcomes. So, what's the takeaway? Malnutrition is a big deal, especially for older folks in the hospital. It's something that needs to be taken seriously and addressed quickly.