Analysis of the laboratory results of the patients enrolled in the Nutritional Therapy Program

M. Konecka, D. Schneider-Matyka, M. Kamińska, M. Bikowska, P. Ustianowski, E. Grochans

Subdepartment of Long-Term Care and Palliative Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland. daria.schneidermatyka@gmail.com

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• Nutrition

OBJECTIVE: Nutritional treatment is an integral part of patient management, as meeting nutritional needs significantly contributes to improving treatment outcomes and reducing complications and length of hospitalization. The aim of this study was to analyze the laboratory results of the patients enrolled in the Nutritional Therapy Program.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study involved 103 subjects, aged 18-88. It was based on analysis of medical documentation of patients under the care of the Enteral Nutrition Clinic. Nutritional status was assessed by biochemical tests (urea, creatinine, AST, ALT, ALP, CRP, total cholesterol, triglycerides, INR, Na, K, Cl, Mg, Ca, P, Fe, total protein, albumin, and fasting glucose).

RESULTS: After six and twelve months, the groups with malnutrition and neurological diseases had higher levels of erythrocytes and albumin, and significantly lower CRP. The mean glucose level after six months was significantly lower compared to the first measurement, and a downward trend was observed. Calcium showed an upward trend. In cancer patients, a decline in erythrocytes was observed after six months compared to the initial measurement.

CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences in the results of laboratory tests between patients with cancer and those with malnutrition and neurological diseases. These were mainly lower levels of lymphocytes and glucose, and higher levels of platelets and CRP. Furthermore, the greatest effect of nutritional treatment was observed in patients with malnutrition and neurological diseases.

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