Malnutrition: Percentage and Association with Prognosis in Patients Hospitalized for Coronavirus Disease 2019

Previous studies have found a correlation between malnutrition and prognosis in respiratory infections. Our objectives were to determine (i) the percentage of malnutrition, and (ii) its prognosis in patients admitted for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this monocentric retrospective study, we consecutively included all adult patients presenting with acute COVID-19 between 9 April and 29 May 2020. Malnutrition was diagnosed on low body mass index (BMI) and weight loss &ge
5% in the previous month and/or &ge
10% in the previous six months. The Nutritional Risk Index (NRI) defined nutritional risk. Severe COVID-19 was defined as a need for nasal oxygen &ge
6 L/min. We enrolled 108 patients (64 men, 62 &plusmn
16 years, BMI 28.8 &plusmn
6.2 kg/m2), including 34 (31.5%) with severe COVID-19. Malnutrition was found in 42 (38.9%) patients, and moderate or severe nutritional risk in 83 (84.7%) patients. Malnutrition was not associated with COVID-19 severity. Nutritional risk was associated with severe COVID-19 (p &lt
0.01
p &lt
0.01 after adjustment for C reactive protein), as were lower plasma proteins, albumin, prealbumin, and zinc levels (p &lt
0.01). The main cause of malnutrition was inflammation. The high percentage of malnutrition and the association between nutritional risk and COVID-19 prognosis supports international guidelines advising regular screening and nutritional support when necessary.