Evaluation of the nutritional status and food consumption of amputated patients having pressure ulcers in a Hospital Rehabilitation Center

DOI: 10.15343/0104-7809.2011354448453

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the nutritional status and food consumption patterns of patients amputated due to
pressure ulcers (PU) assisted in the clinic of a Hospital Rehabilitation Center in Curitiba by means of a retrospective study. Inclusion
criteria were: age above 18 years, exclusively oral feeding, amputated, pressure ulcer as associated problem and at least 3 consultations
with a Nutritionist. The medical history of five patients was selected for analysis. The study has showed that most patients were diagnosed
with overweight and that the essential protein ingestion, energy and micronutrients for cicatrization of PU (vitamins C and E, copper
and zinc) were insufficient. After the proposed nutritional therapy, all patients presented improvements in the cicatrization process. Still
there is a lack of studies that prove the effectiveness of nutrients supplementation in patients with this diagnosis, although all agree that
an improvement in the nutritional status contributes to cure and prevention of PU in cases in which here are other associated factors.