The Prevalence of Malnutrition and Sarcopenia in Swiss Rehabilitation Settings

The Prevalence of Malnutrition and Sarcopenia in Swiss Rehabilitation Settings

The aim of the study is to identify the prevalence of malnutrition and sarcopenia in patients admitted in Swiss rehabilitation centers. Furthermore, the aim is to investigate the changes of selected malnutrition and sarcopenia parameters over the length of the rehabilitation stay.

The project aims to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition and sarcopenia in the rehabilitation setting. A cross-sectional national multicenter study will be conducted in five rehabilitation centers in Switzerland, including 80 - 130 participants per center for the primary objective (prevalence study). Patients will be screened for malnutrition and sarcopenia with established screening tools and if an elevated risk is observed, diagnosis will be confirmed and severity investigated according to international guidelines. Furthermore, the evolution of selected malnutrition and sarcopenia parameters over the rehabilitation stay should be assessed.

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients treated in the following groups of rehabilitations will be included:

• Geriatric rehabilitation
• Pulmonal rehabilitation
• Cardiovascular rehabilitation
• Neurological rehabilitation
• Musculoskeletal rehabilitation
• Internistic rehabilitation and oncological rehabilitation

Exclusion criteria:

• Inability to give informed consent
• Inability to follow study procedures (e.g., due to delirium or language barriers)
• Expected life expectancy < 3 months and/or palliative care
• Isolation for example due to Covid-19 infection or tuberculosis
• Severe dehydration/ volume overload
• Medical conditions that prevent conducting a Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) measurement (e.g. non-removable plasters or bandages at feet or hands) or defibrillator