Ra. Breslow et Jd. Sorkin, COMPARISON OF ONE-DAY AND 3-DAY CALORIE COUNTS IN HOSPITALIZED-PATIENTS - A PILOT-STUDY, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 41(9), 1993, pp. 923-927
Objective: To determine whether a 1-day calorie count can replace the
labor-intensive 3-day calorie count commonly performed in hospitalized
patients when estimates of caloric and protein intake are required. D
esign: Pilot study using prospective, non-concurrent review of medical
records. Setting: Hospital. Participants: Thirty patients (mean age 6
7 years). Results: Mean 3-day intake (952 +/- 91 calories, 41 +/- 4 g
protein) was about half of calculated requirements; first-day intake w
as similar (918 +/- 116 calories, 40 +/- 5 g protein). The first day h
ad high sensitivity (calories 96%; protein 93%) and positive predictiv
e value (calories 100%; protein 96%). Malnutrition was evident; three-
fourths of patients had weights below recommended ranges, and 83% were
hypoalbuminemic. Conclusions: Three-day calorie counts are frequently
performed in patients suspected of eating poorly. Results of this pil
ot study suggest that 1-day calorie counts may be a valid alternative.
However, readily available anthropometric and biochemical data may be
as good an indicator of inadequate dietary intake.