RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Helping undernourished adults in the community
JF Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin
JO Drug Ther Bull
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 93
OP 96
DO 10.1136/dtb.1999.371293
VO 37
IS 12
YR 1999
UL http://dtb.bmj.com/content/37/12/93.abstract
AB Relevant BNF section: App. 7People who are undernourished, whatever the cause, feel unwell, function badly and, compared with others, are more likely to consult their GPs, to need medication and be admitted to hospital.1,2 Once in hospital, they have a higher rate of complications, such as infections and pressure sores, and they take longer to recover and to return home.3 In an article 3 years ago, we discussed the detection and management of undernourished adults in hospital.3 Here, we consider undernourishment in those living in the community. As in the previous article, we concentrate on general undernourishment (protein and energy deficiency), rather than specific deficiencies of micronutrients (such as vitamins and minerals).