Energy and Nutritional Deficit in Obese Traumatic Patients in Intensive Care Units

Abstract

Solid Background: Several years, obesity has been well identified as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, cancers, and diabetes mellitus leading high mortality and morbidity.

Aim: The present study aimed to assess energy and nutritional deficit in obese patients in intensive care units.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all consecutive traumatic patients admitted to ICU ward at Mobasher Kashani hospital in Hamadan were included that among them, 38 obese patients with body mass index higher than 30 kg/m2 were included as the case group and 72 non-obese with body mass index lower than 25 kg/m2were considered as the control group. Malnutrition and its severity were assessed based on the required and intake energy and nutrients on admission and discharge times.

Results: The prevalence of malnutrition was similar in obese and non-obese patients (86.8% versus 85.2%). Assessing the changes in anthropometric parameters showed higher decrease in BMI and weight in obese patients compared with non-obese ones. The mean level of energy intake at 4th week of admission was similar in obese and non-obese patients; however daily energy intake was significantly lower in former group. Also, in both groups, required energy was significantly lower than energy intake at 4th week of admission. Despite similarity in energy and nutrients needed, there was a significant lower energy as well as nutrient intakes in obese patients compared with non-obese ones.

Implications for Practice: Obese traumatic patients admitted to ICU wards suffer lower energy intake and also malnutrition compared with non-obese ones.