Up to 30% of Patients in German Hospitals Are Malnourished

Between 20% and 30% of hospitalized patients in Germany suffer from malnutrition, which may result in serious consequences in some cases. “Malnutrition is not a minor issue. It often leads to complications during treatment and significantly reduces the quality of life for those affected,” emphasized Matthias Pirlich, MD, PhD, a practicing nutrition specialist and vice president of the German Society for Nutritional Medicine (DGEM), at a press conference hosted by the DGEM on the occasion of the Europe-wide Malnutrition Awareness Week.
Malnutrition not only weakens the immune system but also can lead to muscle mass loss and prolonged recovery times. These effects are particularly devastating in hospitalized patients: Estimates suggest that approximately 200,000 malnourished patients die each year in Germany. “A systematic nutritional management approach could prevent around 55,000 deaths annually,” said Pirlich. Additionally, individualized nutrition therapy has the potential to bring down overall treatment costs by reducing complications and hospital readmissions.
Malnourished Children: An Underestimated Problem
Malnutrition in children is another issue that has received inadequate attention: The prevalence of disease-associated malnutrition in Germany and Europe is up to 23% in children and adolescents. “Those most affected are young patients who are chronically ill, including premature infants and older children with neurological conditions,” explained Frank Jochum, MD, PhD, chief physician of the Department of Pediatrics at the Evangelisches Waldkrankenhaus Spandau in Berlin, Germany. The effects of malnutrition in pediatric patients are significant:
Impaired development of cerebral and neuromuscular functions
Increased susceptibility to infections
Higher mortality rates
Delayed healing of wounds
Growth disturbances and delayed puberty
Reduced bone density and muscle mass
Worsening of existing chronic conditions
Additional effects, such as epigenetic changes and programming effects
In addition to the significant health impacts on individuals, the healthcare system as a whole is burdened by longer hospital stays and a higher incidence of complications. Healthcare professionals, policymakers, and society at large must therefore be made more aware of this issue, Jochum explained.
Effective Treatment Options
A number of effective treatment options are available: The nutritional status of children and adolescents with disease-associated malnutrition can be significantly improved by conducting mandatory initial screenings and, when abnormal results are found, transitioning to appropriate nutrition. “Recognizing and treating disease-associated malnutrition is simple and worthwhile,” emphasized Jochum.
Financial Support
However, many hospitals are coping with high financial pressures, with 80% of facilities operating at a loss. “Providing high-quality nutritional care is nearly impossible under these circumstances. We need clear nutritional standards and solid financial support for hospital meals,” stated Gert Bischoff, president of the DGEM and chief physician at the Center for Nutritional Medicine and Prevention in Munich, Germany.
To reduce the considerable consequences of malnutrition in Germany, the DGEM is advocating for mandatory measures. January 2024 saw the introduction of quality contracts for hospitals, which can be implemented in cooperation with health insurers. Bischoff sees this as a significant opportunity: “These quality contracts allow for a significant improvement in patient care and the financing of nutrition teams. Unfortunately, only a few hospitals have taken advantage of this opportunity so far, as the structural requirements are lacking.”
As a result, Bischoff has called for all hospitals in Germany to be required to have qualified nutrition teams on staff to ensure comprehensive care.
This story was translated from Medscape’s German edition using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
Send comments and news tips to [email protected].