Functional state of patients with parenteral nutrition in the postoperative period – nursery assessment

Introduction: In the postoperative period, parenteral nutrition is implemented among undernourished or long-term famished people. Malnutrition is very dangerous. It leads to deterioration physical and mental state.

Aim of the study: Functional state assessment of patients with parenteral nutrition in the postoperative period.

Material and methods: The tests were carried out in the General, Gastroenterological, Colorectal, and Oncological Surgery Ward. The tested group constituted of 91 patients with parenteral nutrition. The tests were carried out using a prospective method with the usage of measurements, interview, and anthropometric tests. Assessed values were: undernourishment risk (NRS 2002 scale), development risk (Norton scale), depression and fear level (HADS scale), and functional condition of the patient according to everyday life activities (Barthel scale). Basic anthropometric measurements, such as: BMI, WHR, arm perimeter, skin fold thickness, and power of hand shake, were analysed.

Results: The analysis of changes in anthropometric tests between the initial and the final measurements showed significant differences for average values of arm perimeter, skin fold thickness, and BMI (p < 0.001). Among undernourished patients the average level of depression and fear lowered from 34.1 to 14.5, and among famished patients this difference was significantly less – from 29.8 to 15.6. These changes are significantly characteristic (p < 0.001). There was also a high (p < 0.001), positive dependence between the assessment of physical condition (Barthel scale) and bedsores occurrence risk (Norton scale).

Conclusions: Anthropometric test indicators (arm perimeter, skin fold thickness, and BMI) assessed after parenteral nutrition were significantly lower than the same indicators before its implementation. The depression and fear level was significantly lower after parenteral nutrition in comparison to the results obtained before its implementation. People with high BMI before treatment retained it also after the treatment, and people with low BMI also retained the low level after the treatment. The lower the physical condition, the higher the bedsores occurrence risk.