Nutritional Management and Outcomes in Malnourished Medical Inpatients: Anorexia Nervosa

Abstract

Background: Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric disorder characterised by a physical and psychosocial deterioration due to an altered pattern on the intake and weight control. The severity of the disease is based on the degree of malnutrition. The objective of this article is to review the scientific evidence of the refeeding process of malnourished inpatients with AN; focusing on the clinical outcome. Methods: We conducted an extensive search in Medline and Cochrane; on April 22; 2019; using different search terms. After screening all abstracts; we identified 19 papers that corresponded to our inclusion criteria. Results: The article focuses on evidence on the characteristics of malnutrition and changes in body composition; energy and protein requirements; nutritional treatment; physical activity programmes; models of organisation of the nutritional treatment and nutritional support related outcomes in AN patients. Conclusion: Evidence-based standards for clinical practice with clear outcomes are needed to improve the management of these patients and standardise the healthcare process.

Keywords

• anorexia nervosa
• refeeding syndrome
• weight gain
• mortality
• length of stay