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Comparison of One‐Day and Three‐Day Calorie Counts in Hospitalized Patients: A Pilot Study
Author(s) -
Breslow Rosalind A.,
Sorkin John D.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1993.tb06756.x
Subject(s) - calorie , medicine , anthropometry , protein calorie malnutrition , malnutrition , prospective cohort study , caloric intake , protein–energy malnutrition , body weight
Objective : To determine whether a 1‐day calorie count can replace the labor‐intensive 3‐day calorie count commonly performed in hospitalized patients when estimates of caloric and protein intake are required. Design : Pilot study using prospective, non‐concurrent review of medical records. Setting : Hospital. Participants : Thirty patients (mean age 67 years). Results : Mean 3‐day intake (952 ± 91 calories, 41 ± 4 g protein) was about half of calculated requirements; first‐day intake was similar (918 ± 116 calories, 40 ± 5 g protein). The first day had high sensitivity (calories 96%; protein 93%) and positive predictive value (calories 100%; protein 96%). Malnutrition was evident; three‐fourths of patients had weights below recommended ranges, and 83% were hypoalbuminemic. Conclusions : Three‐day calorie counts are frequently performed in patients suspected of eating poorly. Results of this pilot study suggest that 1‐day calorie counts may be a valid alternative. However, readily available anthropometric and biochemical data may be as good an indicator of inadequate dietary intake.