Evaluation of the nutritional status of adult patients admitted to intensive care at the Souro Sanou University Hospital in Bobo-Dioulasso (CHUSS)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the nutritional status of "assaulted patients" in the intensive care unit of the teaching hospital of Souro-Sanou in Bobo-Dioulasso It was a prospective and descriptive study that was carried out from June to December 2012. Patients aged 15-69 years old with a situation of acute assault: burns, severe trauma, sepsis and organ failure (renal failure, respiratory failure) were included.
Forty-eight patients were enrolled, their mean age was 37.27 ± 14.72 years. The severe head injury was the most common situations of assault (58.3%). The average length of stay was 13.53 ± 10.58. On admission, the malnutrition rate ranged from 18.8 to 37.7% depending on the parameters used. The variation curve of brachial circumference shows a very strong linear correlation (p <0.001) from that albumin has a less strong statistical significance. The brachial circumferences average on day 4 and day 7 were significantly lower in patients undernourished at admission than those who were not (p = 0.001). With regard of albuminemia the difference was significant only at day 4.
Assaulted patients admitted in ICU are often malnourished. This condition worsens rapidly and severely during their hospital stay.