Nutritional Support in Patients Who Have Been Diagnosed at Nutritional Risk in the Hospital and Discharged Home. How we Can Improved the Prognosis and Quality of Life.

Background: Many malnourished hospital patients remain after discharge. We aimed to enhance the meal experience after discharge by delivering meals together with physical support at the home and tested if this increased food intake affected survival and quality of life.

Patients and Methods: 60 discharged patients suffering from nutritional (MUST>2) and financial frailty were included. Control group (C) took their regular nutrition at home for 6 months and study group (S) received a daily dinner tray sponsored by the municipality. Hazalla philanthropic organization encouraged the patients at lunch for 6 months. Body composition (Quadstat 4000, Bodystat, UK), energy requirements (Fitmate- COSMED, Italy) were measured at recruitement. Primary outcome was 180 days survival. In addition, in the recruitment stage and after a period of 3 and 6 months, depression and anxiety questionnaire (HADS), quality of Life Questionnaire-SF36and FIM questionnaire - designed to examine the level of independence of patients with disability were performed at days 0, 90 and 180. Statistical analysis used T- Test and ANOVA Repeated Measures. The study was approved by local IRB.