Impact of malnutrition on mortality and neurological recovery of older patients with spinal cord injury

This study explores how malnutrition affects older adults (65+) who have suffered a spinal cord injury in their neck. Researchers assessed the nutritional health of almost 800 patients and tracked their recovery. The study found that patients with poor nutrition had a higher risk of dying within a year, shorter overall survival, less improvement in their neurological condition, and were less independent in their daily activities. The researchers suggest that assessing the nutritional status of older patients with spinal cord injuries is crucial for improving their outcomes.

• 1
  6% of older patients with cervical SCI had major nutrition-related risks based on the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI).
• 2
  Patients with major nutrition-related risks had a significantly higher 1-year mortality rate compared to matched controls (23.4% vs. 8.5%, p = 0.019).
• 3
  Matched controls had a higher proportion of patients with neurological improvement of at least one AIS grade compared to patients with major nutrition-related risk (57.1% vs. 34.5%, p = 0.039).