Abstract:

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between malnutrition status, determined by using hypoalbunemia and NRS-2002, and various factors (socio-demographic, BMI) and clinical outcomes (length of hospital stay and postoperative complication development) during preoperative period in orthopedic surgery patients. Method: The study that designed in a descriptive-correlational model, was performed at a university hospital Health Research and Application Center between June and December 2019. Data were collected by face-to-face interview method using a questionnaire and Nutritional Risk Screening-2002 by researchers. Albumin levels obtained from patient files. Descriptive statistics and Chi-Square analysis were used to evaluate the data. Results: The prevalence of malnutrition risk in orthopedic surgical patients was 35.10% and 43.90% according to NRS 2002 score and the albumin level, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between the risk of malnutrition and chronic disease (p<0.001), re-hospitalization (p=0.012), postoperative length of hospital stay (p=0.001) and age (p<0.001) according to NRS 2002. There were statistically significant differences between preoperative (p=0.008) and postoperative length of hospital stay (p<0.001) according to albumin level. According to NRS 2002 and albumin level, it was found that the incidence of postoperative complications increased in patients with malnutrition risk (p<0.001 for each). Conclusion: In this study, the prevalence of malnutrition was found high in orthopedic surgery patients. In the preoperative period, malnutrition risk associated with age and the presence of chronic diseases. The length of hospital stay and post-operative complications increased in patients with malnutrition risk.

Keywords: