- Costly issue: £22.6 billion annually.
- Call for better identification.
- Impact on healthcare and patients.
A failure to address disease-related malnutrition costs the National Health Service and social care £22.6 billion annually, a report reveals.
Call for Improved Identification and Support
Protesters call for improved identification and assistance for underweight patients.
Enhanced nutrition support and early diagnosis can reduce hospital stays, reduce primary care physician workloads, aid recovery, and prevent costly readmissions.
Prevalence and Consequences
In England, nearly three million people are at risk of malnutrition due to conditions such as dementia or cancer, resulting in about 464,000 hospital admissions annually.
However, only 2% of affected patients are diagnosed with malnutrition upon admission.
Lesley Carter, representing Age UK and the Malnutrition Task Force, stated, “Malnourished seniors have an increased risk of falls, hospitalizations, and prolonged recovery periods.
Financial Implications
This report should prompt policymakers and legislators to address the issue.
The financial burden of treating a malnourished patient is three times higher than that of a well-nourished individual, totaling £22.6 billion in expenses, with social care and primary care making up the remainder of the budget.
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The cost of disease-related malnutrition is expected to rise by £4 billion by 2035 due to the increased prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, and dementia, as well as an aging population.
The report recommends improved screening of individuals entering hospitals and care homes, along with a digital health check for monitoring weight fluctuations in patients with serious conditions.
Defining Malnourished Individuals
Malnourished individuals are defined by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as having a BMI below 18.5, unintentional weight loss exceeding 10 percent in the previous three to six months, or a BMI below 20 with unintentional weight loss exceeding 5 percent in the past three to six months.
The number of hospital admissions with a documented primary or secondary diagnosis of malnutrition has increased significantly since 2009/10.
However, the study suggests that true rates are even higher.
Screening and nutritional support for those at medium to high risk of malnutrition reduced hospital admissions by 49%, hospital stay duration by 48%, and GP visits by 21%.
Future Health’s program director, Richard Sloggett, stated that disease-related malnutrition is a concealed but emerging issue.
Danone UK and Ireland’s medical affairs director, Victoria Blewett, emphasized the need to address the consequences of malnutrition seriously.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care pledged efforts to mitigate hospital admissions and improve public well-being.
Additionally, the Major Conditions Strategy will target the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of cancer and dementia, among other conditions.
