MEDIA INFORMATION from
BAPEN the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
Registered Charity No.1023927
Issued Tuesday, 11 November 2003
MALNUTRITION IN THE UK: UNDER-RECOGNISED AND COSTLY REVEALS NEW REPORT TODAY
Malnutrition1, usually thought of as a health issue prevalent only in the developing world, often goes under-recognised and under-treated in the UK - detrimentally affecting the health of the nation, according to MAG (the Malnutrition Advisory Group). It is estimated that around 2 million people in the UK are malnourished, which affects their health, well being, quality of life and ability to work.
MAG, a Standing Committee of BAPEN (the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition), is leading the way in encouraging all healthcare professionals to work together to improve nutritional care standards - across the whole healthcare spectrum. To better enable them to do this, MAG has launched the 'MUST' Report and Tool, highlighting the widespread effects of malnutrition as a health issue. Led by Professor Marinos Elia, MAG has also developed the 'MUST' ('Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool'), the first universal nutritional screening tool for all types of adult patients in all health and care settings.
Although malnutrition can affect anyone, the most vulnerable groups include those with chronic diseases, the elderly, those recently discharged from hospital, and poor or socially isolated individuals. Statistics show that up to 50% of patients in care or residential homes, up to 30% of patients attending outpatient clinics and GP surgeries, and up to 14% of elderly people not in hospital or care2 are either malnourished or at risk of malnourishment.
Professor Elia says "Currently, malnutrition is under-recognised and therefore often goes untreated. There is much evidence to suggest that it results in more hospital admissions, longer hospital stays, an increased risk of infection and other complications, more GP visits and prescriptions, depression and self-neglect."
The 'MUST' is designed to enable nurses, dietitians, care managers, doctors, and other healthcare workers, to identify adults at risk of malnutrition and plan appropriate nutritional care. It is the first tool of its kind - 'universal' in its suitability for all types of subjects and in its use by all kinds of healthcare professionals.
Professor Elia continues, "The 'MUST' provides baseline information for reference in any future episodes of illness, which allows continuity of care when a patient or resident moves between hospital, community, and residential care. Also, by identifying malnutrition, through public health surveys, 'MUST' could facilitate health promotion programmes and reduce the burden on healthcare resources."
"The 'MUST' has been field-tested by a wide range of over 200 healthcare professionals, and has been found to be an easy, quick, and consistent first step for dealing with malnutrition. The tool is being supported by the British Dietetic Association and also by organisations such as the Royal College of Nursing and the Registered Nursing Homes Association. NHS Scotland considers 'MUST' appropriate for implementing their new standards on routine screening upon hospital admission."
Reference
1. The literal meaning of malnutrition is 'bad' nutrition and therefore the term can encompass wasting (undernutrition) and/or obesity (overnutrition). Despite this, the term malnutrition is more commonly used to refer to undernutrition rather than overnutrition. It is in this sense that the term is used in the 'MUST' report.
2. Stratton, RJ., Thompson, R.L., Margetts, B.M., Stroud, M., Jackson, A.A., Elia, M., Healthcare utilisation according to malnutrition risk in the elderly; an analysis of data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey, Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2002; 61:20A
Notes to Editors
For further information, please contact Claire Davies on 020 7072 4269 or at cldavies@gciuk.com or Rhonda Smith at rsmith@gciuk.com, Siobhan Thwaites or Rachel Burgess via 020 7072 4100.
BAPEN - The British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition is a multi-professional association and charity established in 1992. Its membership is drawn from doctors, dietitians, nurses, patients, pharmacists and representatives from the health policy, industry, public health and research sectors. BAPEN is Registered Charity Number 1023927
BAPEN's principal functions are to:
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Enhance understanding and management of malnutrition
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Establish a clinical governance framework to underpin the nutritional management of all patients
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Enhance knowledge and skills in clinical nutrition through education and training
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Communicate the benefits of clinical and cost-effective optimal nutritional care to all healthcare professionals, policy-makers and the public
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Fund a multi-professional research programme
Log on to www.bapen.org.uk
MAG - the Malnutrition Advisory Group, led by Professor Marinos Elia, is a Standing Committee of BAPEN, which is committed to raising the profile of malnutrition among healthcare professionals and the media.
MAG looks to ensure that appropriate priority is given to the malnutrition issue by the wide spectrum of healthcare professionals.
MAG aims to produce definitive guidelines for the management of malnutrition and to work nationwide with key influential groups to promote standards of excellence in the management and treatment of malnutrition.